Google Drive

At this day and age, I am sure you are all familiar with the ever famous search engine genius, Google. 

Google is widely known as a one stop shop to answer your questions, connect with others, buy online, view images and much more! I learned recently, however, that by signing up for a Gmail account, there are even greater ways to connect and share with the world we live in! Although Gmail is most widely used as an email account through Google, the creators of Google have also added "apps" to all email accounts--for FREE! 
As an educator, I am always collecting and creating various documents to use with my students or share with my coworkers. Google has made it easier than ever to share all kinds of files on-line! This wonderful app is known as Google Drive. With Google Drive, you can say goodbye to printing and filing away a piece of paper only to have that paper never be found again. With a click of a button you can now share documents, presentations, forms, spreadsheets, videos and drawings with those you know. You can then decide if you want others to simply view your marvelous creation, or edit it as well. Google Drive and all other apps from Google can be found by clicking on an icon of 3-by-3 squares beside your name, located at the top right hand side of your Gmail home page. My personal favorite feature of Google Drive is knowing that all my work is instantly saved. Another great aspect of Google Drive is the ability to easily upload files on your computer to Google Drive so you can access them anywhere you go--even on your smart phone! For all of you visual learners like myself, check out the video below.
                                            


 At my current school, we use Google Drive to share the morning announcements, student behavior plans, lesson plans, data meeting notes and staff phone numbers. My school has also used Google Drive as a method for teachers to sign up for various activities. In my classroom, I like to create forms as a quick way to assess all students knowledge on the standard we are currently working on. Feel free to check out my Simile form by clicking here! Just be sure to add a question where each student can fill in their first and last name. 
Google Drive also has a feature that allows you, the creator, to view all responses.  The first video below will give you the basics on creating your form and the second will guide you through the steps of seeing responses to your form. 

Once you are able to create a form, check out Flubaroo! This website can easily be synced with Google Drive and will grade your forms for you! The link above will take you to a user friendly guide that will walk you through the steps to access and use Flubaroo in Google Drive. Flubaroo is free, it's easy and the user guide comes equipped with directions and pictures galore to help you start using Flubaroo with Google Forms in your classroom today! No more grading, waiting in line in at the printer or organizing the endless piles of paper on your desk--what more could a teacher ask for!