Google Drive Basics

Google Drive - is a cloud-based file storage system. This online repository and syncing tool enables you to store, access and edit your files from any computer, tablet or smartphone, anywhere.

​Benefits

• Enhanced collaboration with easy file and folder sharing options.
• Synchronization - content will automatically get updated everywhere it is shared when you make an edit to the original file.
• Synchronization & Integration with Canvas - update the original slide presentation or Google doc and it automatically updates in Canvas; no more time spent deleting an old version and uploading a new version, the updates made to the original sync to Canvas! This is a huge timesaver!
• Google Drive is also the central hub for Google Suite - a collection of productivity, collaboration, business and education software developed and powered by Google.

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Getting to Your Drive

• Type "drive.google.com" into your browser
• From your email or a Google Search > click on 9 dot grid (google apps) in the upper right-hand corner > Drive
• From your phone - download the google drive app (available for Android and iOS)

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Uploading Files
It is easy to upload files or an entire folder from your computer to your drive. You can also save a range of file types (documents, photos, audio, video, etc.). 
​Files You Can Store In Google Drive

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My Drive, Shared Drives and Shared with Me....
What's the Difference?

My Drive - is your personal storage space for files you upload or create. You own these files and folders. If you wish, you can allow others to access these files by sharing them in the following ways: view (read only), comment, or edit (make changes and options to share). You can also take away sharing privileges at any time. You can also embed or link these files in your Canvas course(s).

Shared with me - is a storage space for files and folders that belong to someone else. These files have been shared with you, giving you permission to copy, view, comment and/or edit these files. The owner may share these files with you for a designated period of time or indefinitely. Typically you will get an email notification when a file has been shared with you.
WARNING: These files have a tendency to pile up quickly. It is best practice to periodically delete files you do not anticipate using or move files you do plan to use into a designated folder in your drive.

Shared Drive - is a central storage space for files utilized by a group or a team. Files belong to the team, not a specific individual. Team members can be added when someone joins the team and removed when someone leaves the team. People outside of the team may also be given access to individual (or specific) files within the shared drive without being given access to the entire drive. All team members have access to all files, but team members can have different access permissions.

Shared Drive Permissions Can Vary at the File or Folder Level

• Managers - add/remove members, upload, edit, move and permanently delete files
• Content Manager - upload files and edit all files and move files to the trash
• Contributors - can upload files and edit all files
• Commenters - can only comment on all files
• Viewers - can only read all files

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Share Your Ideas
If you have other creative ways to utilize Google Drive, please let us know at: [email protected].
Commit to sharing one (or two) of your favorite techy ideas, examples, assignments, or tools to benefit other faculty and our students next year. Please contact us to share your ideas in a 2023 Tech Tuesday.
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Your Faculty Liaisons, Jen & Vanessa