Thing 13

Google Drive is a tool that I love to use in my classroom.  I will have all of my students set up Gmail accounts if they do not already have them, and write their papers or work on lab reports using these tools.  Yes we have Microsoft Office in the computer labs, however, not all of my students have access to this software at home.  By using Google Drive I can make sure that my students are able to not only have access to word processing software or spreadsheets, but are able to use them.

One of the other things that I like about Google Drive, is that I can create a spreadsheet of data for a lab, then share the link to my students and have them use that data to create graphs and make interpretations.

Another advantage that I have found in using Google Drive in my classroom is during activities that require group collaboration, such as a class presentations.  My students can share their files with each other and work collaboratively not only during class, but after school on projects.

I find another advantage to be that all of the files are stored on their accounts, so there is no need for them to bring a USB drive, or email a file back and forth, to try and keep up with their work.  All they have to do is log into their Gmail account and they have access to everything.

I looked at the Zoho site, and I don't really have a problem with it.  However, I do prefer Google Drive, simply because most of my students already have an account and are familiar with how it works.  This is a tool that students don't only use in my class, but other teachers at the school I teach use it along with sites such as Dropbox.

To see a simple file that I created in my own Google Drive account, follow this link: smiley face.  Hope you enjoy.