Google Drive

From DigitalRhetoricCollaborative

Google Drive is cloud-based file hosting system. Launched by Google in 2012, the service allows file storage, sharing, and synchronization.[1] Google Drive is made up of Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides, which are comparable to Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, respectively.

Google Drive is compatible with Windows and Apple computers, and an app version is available for Android and iOS smartphones.

[edit] Collaborative Writing

Google Drive is a useful tool for collaborative writing because, unlike Microsoft Word and similar applications, it allows multiple users to make synchronous revisions. The system’s features make it particularly beneficial in educational settings, especially in online or hybrid courses.

Because multiple users can edit files on Google Drive at once, students working on group compositions are able to share their document and see one another’s edits in real time, even if they are physically apart.

Additionally, if a file is shared with an instructors, the instructor can not only monitor assignment progress, but also distribution of workload throughout the group, as Google Drive tracks users’ revisions.

Google Drive also includes a helpful autosave feature, which reduces the risk of lost work due to technological issues and failure to save manually. As long as the user can log into their Google account using a web browser, files stored on Google Drive are accessible any time from any device.

[edit] Storage

Between Google Drive, Gmail, and Google Photos, Google gives each user 15 gigabytes of combined storage space on its cloud for free. Users can also upgrade to larger, paid storage plans.[2]