• IT Skills for Students

    Google Drive and OneDrive

    Google Drive and Microsoft's OneDrive are both cloud storage options.

    Cloud storage means storing files on the internet rather than on your physical hard drive. This is extremely useful as it means your files are available to you on any internet-connected device, no matter where you are, but also opens up other possibilities, such as collaborative file editing and easy sharing.

    For this module you only need to do one of these activities depending on whether you prefer Google Drive or OneDrive. The badge is based on being able to complete the skills in either of these options.

    • Activity 1

      Introduction to Google Drive

      Allow 30 minutes

      Google Drive is available to anyone with a free Google account. You get 15 GB of online storage and access to a whole host of other Google apps and services.

      The following tasks will introduce you to this popular service.


      Task 1: Google Drive and Google Docs

      Work through the links below and then have a go at the challenge.

      Link: Meet Google Drive

      Link: Using Google Drive

      Link: Google Drive


      Challenge:

      Explore Google Drive.

      • Log in to your Google Drive
      • Create a folder called 'My Play'
      • Create a document file using the online Documents file type and save into the 'My Play' folder
      • Create a Word document using Microsoft Word on your computer and upload it to your Google Drive
      • Share the folder with a friend (or yourself at another email address)
      • Create a folder for each of your courses
      • Sync your Google Drive files to your computer (but only if it is your own device)

      Task 2: Test your Understanding

      Have a go at the quiz on this website.

      Link: Using Google Drive Quiz

    • Activity 2

      Introduction to OneDrive

      Allow 30 minutes

      OneDrive is Microsoft's free personal online storage service. You get 5 GB of online storage with a free account which also gives you access to online versions of  Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote.

      It is important to note that there is also 'OneDrive for Business' which is part of the Office 365 suite of applications. This gives you 1TB of storage along with other features, but it is a paid option - note that as a student, you may have access to this while you study as part of your enrolment.


      Task 1: OneDrive and Office Online

      Work through the resources on this website and then have a go at the challenge.

      Link: OneDrive and Office Online


      Challenge:

      Explore OneDrive and Office Online.

      • Log in to your OneDrive
      • Create a folder called 'My Play'
      • Create a Word document using Word Online and save into the 'My Play' folder
      • Create a Word document using Word 2016 on your computer and upload it to your OneDrive
      • Share the folder with a friend (or yourself at another email address)
      • Create a folder for each of your courses
      • Sync your OneDrive files to your computer (but only if it is your own device)

      If you have problems logging into your OneDrive because of multiple Office 365 accounts check out the Frequently Asked Questions.


      Task 2: Test your Understanding

      Have a go at the quiz on this website.

      Link: OneDrive and Office Online Quiz

    • Checkpoint

      Google Drive and OneDrive Self-Assessment

      Now that you've completed the activities in this module, take the time to complete this self-assessment of how competent you think you are in using Google and One Drive.

      Follow the instructions by clicking the link below.

    • Google Drive and OneDrive Self-Assessment Quiz
      You have to add at least one completion condition.

    • Discussion

      Google Drive and OneDrive Forum

      Using the forum below, click the 'Add a new discussion topic' button and perform the following tasks.

      1. Using a PNI format (Positive, Negative and Interesting) post something that you found useful, something that you found difficult or confusing, and something that you would like to find out more about relating  to the activities in this part of the module.
      2. Share at least one additional resource (web link, video etc.) that you think would help any other students working through this module.
    • Google Drive and OneDrive Forum