Google Drive

Google Drive is a file and resource sharing collaborative app ranked number 6 on Jane Hart’s Top tools for learning in 2019. I have been using Google Drive since it launched in 2012 and have found it to be one of the most useful tools for productivity, organization, and collaboration. Google drive serves as a file hub for Google Docs, Slides and Sheets, similar to Sharepoint in the Microsoft Office 365 suite. Any file that is created in one of these apps is automatically housed in the drive. You can also upload any other file type to Google drive which has 15 gigabytes of free storage. Fun fact: any files created through the Google Suite do not count towards the 15 gigs! More storage is available for purchase ranging from 100 gigabytes at $1.99 per month ($20.99 per year) to 30 terabytes at $299.99 per month.

Google Drive ease of use and convenience really is exceptional. The interface is clean and intuitive with a simple sorting and organization options. Files and folders can be easily shared with collaborators through their e-mail address. A wide range of file types can be previewed with the Google Drive viewer so users can identify specific files without having to open any additional programs. There is also a mobile app available that is useful for accessing your files on the go. Another fantastic feature is the Google Drive browser extension that allows you to easily save files that you come across while web browsing such as documents, images, and webpages. Google Drive also included accessibility updates in 2014 which improved screen reader, high contrasts and keyboard accessibility. You can create new Google Docs, Sheets, or Slides from within Google Drive, as well. All these well designed and thoughtful features make this program fantastic for both personal and professional use.

I use Google Drive most often in a professional capacity. At my school, all teachers and students have a Google account and thus have access to Google Drive easily. I find it the most useful way to share files with my staff members and students. In my capacity as Exceptional Student Education specialist, I must distribute lots of forms, progress monitoring probes, spreadsheets, training slideshows, instructional worksheets, and other documents . By having all of these various files in one place, I can streamline my workflow and provide my teachers and students with what they need when they need it. This is all around a great program that would be useful for anyone who wants to share data with others or just manage their own.

My Google Drive dashboard