Unit 1: Getting Started with Google Drive
Unit Objectives:
- Learners will be able to identify at least two ways in which Google drive is useful to them.
- Learners will also learn the different types of files they can create in Drive.
- Learners will be able to sign up for a Google account if they do not have a Google account.
- Learners will able to identify the main sections of the Google Drive interface.
Section 1: Meet Google Drive
This section we will get introduced to Google Drive, understand why it might help us help us to use Drive and the types of files that are available for you to create using Google Drive.
Many of us have used USB drives to copy files from our home computers to take it to our work place and continue working on them and vice-versa. This has changed now and more people are using online storage, also called cloud storage to save their files. Now you can upload your file from your home computer onto cloud storage, then open the file on your work or school computer and continue working on the same file. Cloud storage does not mean literally storing in clouds, it is basically a computer connected to Internet that we could save files to using a cloud storage tool like Google Drive.
Think of Google drive like the hard drive on your personal computer where you store and organize files except that its is online. Storing files on the drive allows you access to the files from around the world or through offline storage.
Many of us have used USB drives to copy files from our home computers to take it to our work place and continue working on them and vice-versa. This has changed now and more people are using online storage, also called cloud storage to save their files. Now you can upload your file from your home computer onto cloud storage, then open the file on your work or school computer and continue working on the same file. Cloud storage does not mean literally storing in clouds, it is basically a computer connected to Internet that we could save files to using a cloud storage tool like Google Drive.
Think of Google drive like the hard drive on your personal computer where you store and organize files except that its is online. Storing files on the drive allows you access to the files from around the world or through offline storage.
Why You Should Work With Google Drive?
- It’s perfect for collaboration. Many users can work on the same document, insert comments in the margins, or just let team members take a peek at what they are working on from any location on the globe.
- It is paperless. Projects can be completed, shared, and commented on without ever printing a single page.
- It works on all platforms. It is web-based, you can use it on a Mac, a PC, an iPad, a Chrome-book, whatever.
- Google Drive and its built-in tools are free. You also get 15GB free online storage.
Types of files in Google Drive Suite
Drive is not just a place to store your files; you can create, manage and share files using the Google docs suite. These productivity apps are similar to the Microsoft Office suite which has programs like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. The advantage of creating files with Google drive is that you can create live files that can accessed by anyone who has a shareable link.
The Google Docs suite includes:
The Google Docs suite includes:
- Docs - to create documents, letters flyers, essays and so on.
- Sheets - for organization, analysis and storage of data in tabular form.
- Slides - for creating presentations Forms - to create online surveys for capturing data.
- Drawings - for creating simple vector graphics or diagrams.
Section 2: Google Drive Interface
In this section we will look at the different components of the Google Drive interface. To be able to access Google drive you need to have a Google account. If you do not have a Google account follow the video below to create your account. If you have a Google account skip the video and go to the next topic in this section.
Access Google Drive
You can go to www.drive.google.com and sign in to your Google account.
OR
You can sign in to your Google account and select Drive as shown in the image below:
OR
You can sign in to your Google account and select Drive as shown in the image below:
Components of Google Drive Interface
Go through the video below to learn the different sections in Google Drive interface.
Check Your Understanding
Click on this link here to check your understanding before proceeding to next section.
GETTING STARTED
UPLOAD AND STORE
ORGANIZE AND SEARCH
SHARE AND COLLABORATE
Back to Wiki click here
UPLOAD AND STORE
ORGANIZE AND SEARCH
SHARE AND COLLABORATE
Back to Wiki click here