PC and Web Google Drive Sync

Uploading files to your Google Drive just got easier! You can now add (or remove) files in your Google Drive without using the web interface. There is now a Google Drive (G) folder installed on your District Issued PC. It is quick and easy to do. Check out the steps below to see how. 

• (Warning...anything you do on your PC is reflected in your Google Drive so be careful if you are deleting files from the Google (G) Drive on your Computer. More details below.)

Find Your Google Drive Folder:

1. Make sure you are on your School Issued PC (laptop or desktop).

2. Two places to find File Explorer:

• Click the Folder Icon on your taskbar at the bottom (I pinned mine by right-clicking the icon and selecting “Pin to Taskbar” so it is always available).

• Click the “Start Button” (windows icon on the lower left) and click “Documents”.

3. On the left side click on “Google Drive (G)”.

4. You will see both “My Drive” (your Google Drive) and “Shared Drive” (your Shared Google Drives).

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Add/Remove Files to Your Google Drive Folder:

1. You can open your Google Drive (G) folder and drag/drop any file into this window. It will live sync to your online Google Drive within seconds.

Just a Warning: These two locations are always Live Syncing!

• Anything you do in the Web Interface is also reflected in the PC Google Drive (G) folder.

• Anything you do in the PC Google Drive (G) folder is also reflected in the Web Interface. 

Here is a video showing how all this works: PC/Web Google Drive Sync

If you want these directions in a Document click HERE!

Sharing Folders in Drive

One of the best things about Google Drive is its sharing ability. We can share any file with anyone, even if they don’t have a Google account. It is quick and easy to do, but sometimes we want to share a whole folder. Sharing a folder is very similar to sharing a file, with an added perk. Once a folder is shared, those share settings are included on any file in that folder. It also includes any file put into that folder. What this means is if you share a folder all you have to do is add files into that folder and those settings are applied! No more manually adding Share Settings to every file individually!

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Sharing Folders with Specific People:

1. Find your folder you want to share and right-click on it in Drive. Click the “Share” button.

2. If you are sharing with specific people, just enter their names or email in the top box. You will then get the option to set their permissions as Viewer, Commenter, or Editor. You can write a message if you wish and then click “Send”.

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Sharing Folder with a Link:

1. Click on the words that say “Change to {Your Domain Name}”.

3. You will have the choice of 3 options:
1. Restricted: only those listed in the top box can access
2. Your Domain: only those with the link in your Domain can access
3. Anyone with the link: anyone you share the link to can access

4. You can change the settings of access with this dropdown to set their permissions as Viewer, Commenter, or Editor.

5. If you choose “Anyone with the Link” or set to “Your Domain” you can copy the link here.

6. Click “Done” to save.

Now you have a folder that will automatically add the sharing settings you chose to any file in it or any file added to this at a later time. File Sharing Made EASY!

If you want these directions in a Document click HERE!

Sharing Files in Google Drive (Updated)

One of the best things about Google Drive is its sharing ability. We can share any file with anyone, even if they don’t have a Google account. It is quick and easy to do, but oftentimes simple mistakes are made and people outside your domain can not access a shared file because the wrong button was pressed. Make sure to share those files in the manner you mean. Check out the steps below to make sure you are sharing with parents (and others outside your domain) the correct way.

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Sharing Files with Specific People:

1. Click the “Share” button.

2. If you are sharing with specific people, just enter their names or email in the top box. You will then get the option to set their permissions as Viewer, Commenter, or Editor. You can write a message if you wish and then click “Send”.

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Sharing Files with a Link:

1. Click on the words that say “Change to {Your Domain Name}”.

3. You will have the choice of 3 options:

1. Restricted: only those listed in the top box can access

2. Your Domain: only those with the link in your Domain can access

3. Anyone with the link: anyone you share the link to can access

4. You can change the settings of access with this dropdown to set their permissions as Viewer, Commenter, or Editor.

5. If you choose “Anyone with the Link” or set to “Your Domain” you can copy the link here.

6. Click “Done” to save.

If you want these directions in a document click HERE!

Make an Editable PDF with Google Slides

Let me first say…”I am not a fan of worksheets!” Whew...I got that out there! With that said, there is a time and place for things to be “fill in the blank” style. Also, many teachers have great resources that they want students to be able to use and learn from while at home during this COVID-19 quarantine. If you have PDFs that you normally print and have students fill in, there is a way to do this digitally. All you will need to know how to do is to take a screenshot and use Google Slides.

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How to create a Screenshot:

• 𝐏𝐂:
• (Use the app called "𝙎𝙣𝙞𝙥 & 𝙎𝙠𝙚𝙩𝙘𝙝" in Applications). Select an area of your screen to capture.
• Check out this video below for more help.
• 𝐌𝐚𝐜:
• (Command+Shift+3) This captures the entire screen.
• (Command+Shift+4) This lets you capture a select area of your screen.
• 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤:
• (Ctrl + window switch key) This captures the entire screen.
• (Ctrl + Shift + window switch key) This lets you capture a select area of your screen.
• 𝐌𝐨𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞:
• iOS (Hold Power Button + Home Button)
• Android (Hold Power Button + Volume Down Button)

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Take a Screenshot:

1. Open up the PDF you want to use. Make sure you can see the whole document on your screen (You may have to use the 3 dots in Chrome in the top right to zoom out).

2. Same this screenshot to your device. 

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Set Screenshot as Background in Slide:

1. Open a Google Slide.
2. Click “File” and go to “Page setup”.

3. Click Custom and enter 8.5 x 11.

4. Delete the text boxes out of the slide and click on “Background” and “Choose Image”.

5. Browse for the image you saved and select it and click “Done”.
6. Use the “Text Box” tool to add Text Boxes everywhere you want students to enter text/numbers.

7. I make sure to edit the font size and center align the text so when students click n the box it will be large enough and centered (if needed) in the box.

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Share the Slide:

All you have left to do is share this slide with your students. Remember, you want each of your students to have their own. The best way is through Google Classroom! 

1. Create a new assignment.
2. Attach the Slide Deck by click the “Add” button.
3. Make sure to choose the bottom option that says “Make a copy for each student”. 

4. Then click “Assign” and you have an “Editable PDF”...well...sort of, that students can enter in text or numbers!

If you want these steps in a Document click HERE!

Sharing Files in Google Drive

One of the best things about Google Drive is its sharing ability. We can share any file with anyone, even if they don’t have a Google account. It is quick and easy to do, but oftentimes simple mistakes are made and people outside your domain can not access a shared file because the wrong button was pressed. Make sure to share those files in the manner you mean. Check out the steps below to make sure you are sharing with parents (and others outside your domain) the correct way.

Sharing Files Outside Your Domain:

If you want anyone to see the file (like parents or others outside your domain) make sure to share a file with the correct settings: 

• Don’t use “Get Sharable Link” as that only sets the sharing to District accounts (meaning the user must have the same domain email as you).
• Make sure it is set as “Anyone with the Link” and “Can View” or your needed permission like “Can Edit” or “Can Comment”.

1. Click the “Share” button then click on “Advanced”. If you are in drive, just right-click on the file you want to share and choose “Share”.

2. Click on “Change”.

3. Set to “Anyone with the link” and make sure to choose the permission you want.

4. Copy the link (share this) and click “Done”.

If you want these directions in a document click HERE!