Google Drive

Working collaboratively online is something that is very new to me, as I’ve never used Google Drive or anything similar to it. I had previously heard of Google Drive but I was unaware of the networking capabilities it had, instead of just being a place for cloud storage. Looking back at high school where doing group power points were like a weekly thing, Google Drive could have been useful. Instead of each individual having to do a section of the power point then sending it to one person to put all together, Google Drive could have cut out the extra work for someone. Using Google Drive the way we used it this week in order for a whole class to collaborate, would have made high school much easier.

            I can see how Google Drive could be a valuable tool for me to utilize in my other classes just because it makes it easier for groups to get work done. Instead of having to plan a set time to get together to work on a project, everyone could just do their portion of the work on Google Drive whenever is convenient for them and their schedules. Another way I could see Google Drive being useful is by using its cloud storage feature to save important documents and power points. Instead of having to carry around a flash drive and having to worry about losing it, it can just be stored in “clouds” on Google Drive and be accessed on any computer at any time.

            I’m sure that there are other sites that allow users to collaborate similar to the way that Google Drive does, but I’m unaware of them. Before having to use Google Drive this week I didn’t know it could allow people to collaborate in small groups or even large classes such as ours. I have heard of other websites that offer cloud storage online, but I’m not sure that they allow others to collaborate like Google Drive.

            In addition to use in the class setting, I can see many other uses for Google Drive. Since Google Drive allows many people to have access to the same document, it could be used for people to sign up for events or times for appointments. Another way Google Drive could be useful is by using it as a bypass for email, where employees could all have access to the same spreadsheet and just add to it and then it would be visible to everyone instead of having to email it after adding their changes. Regardless of its uses, I can see networking sites like Google Drive becoming an important tool to be used in the business world soon.