Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Tried It Tuesday- Google Drive

It's Tuesday and I have been waiting a week to share what I tried. Be sure to check out all the great post at Fourth Grade Flipper with Holly, I promise you will not be disappointed.


Last week, Tina from Croft's Classroom shared about her new Chromebook.

I am in the market for a new computer and I just really don't want to spend a fortune. Mostly, I surf, blog and create documents.  I love the idea of an ipad but I can't do documents on it and the cost is not something I want to spend.

I searched the Chromebook features after reading her posts. I liked, no loved the price. And after yesterday's Must Have it Mondays, I am buying a laminator, hands down!

There's no Microsoft though. How would I do documents?

Google Drive! I have very limited experience with it. I know it exists and somehow I actually have some documents on Google Drive. I couldn't tell you how they got there though. (This type of thing is when I really feel my age!)

So, I created a presentation on Google Drive to see how easy it could be. If I buy one, I will use it for almost everything. It wasn't very hard and I don't even know the ins and outs.

This was my first creation:

I can't say I am sold yet, but I am leaning this way.
I am going to keep playing around with Google Drive and see how it goes.

I also made a product for my store. It was fairly easy. I liked that I could save it in both PDF and PowerPoint for Microsoft.


What about you? Are you familiar with Google Drive? Has it worked for you? Pros? Cons?


11 comments:

  1. I didn't know you could create on Google Drive-I'll have to check that out! Thanks for sharing!
    Joanne
    Head Over Heels For Teaching

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  2. I'm working on getting to know Google Drive too. So much to learn... :)
    Brandee @ Creating Lifelong Learners

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  3. I've never tried to create anything on Google Drive. I will have to play around with it this summer!

    Hunter's Tales from Teaching

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  4. I really love making Google forms and presentations on the Drive. You can even make self-grading assessments with Google Forms!

    Amy
    Eclectic Educating

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    Replies
    1. Oh, I will be trying that!!!!!

      Thanks!
      Elizabeth

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  5. I didn't have PPT when I began posting on TpT so I used Google Docs. Later it became Google Drive. It has a quick learning curve. It does most things that Publisher can do. It's much easier than Word.

    It doesn't work as well as PPT. It is very similar to publisher. Be warned, that not all graphics work with it. I'm not sure why. My Melonheadz ALWAYS have a black background. Also, there is no "crop" ability so many things look stretched. If you'd like to check out what products look like, check out my TpT store. Most of my freebies are made in google drive.

    I love the idea of a chomebook and ALMOST got one about 2 months ago, but decided against it only because of PPT. I do have an iPad, but I don't think I use it as much as I should...especially for the price I paid.

    Deniece
    This Little Piggy Reads

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    1. Thank you for your comments. I have already noticed that about black backgrounds. Hmmm... I have PPT at school, maybe that's enough????
      I will definitely check out your products!

      Elizabeth

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  6. Love google drive, but haven't ever made anything on it. I'm LOVING all of my current use of google everything it seems so maybe a chromebook is better than a macbook for me? Good luck, Can't wait to see how it goes for you!

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  7. I love that I can share documents using google drive but haven't had much luck creating in PPT. The fonts don't show up the same and you can't manipulate objects like you can in normal PPT. So, I just create in PPT and then import files into google drive or use it to send files via email when they are over 25mb. If you have another computer you can use to create, the Chromebook sounds like just the ticket for your internet use! Thanks for sharing!!
    ~Holly
    Fourth Grade Flipper

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    1. Thanks Holly, great feedback!

      I do have my work laptop with PPT....

      decisions, decisions...

      Elizabeth

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