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3 Mysteries of Utilizing G Suite with Newbies

by Avra Robinson

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3 Mysteries
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of Utilizing
G Suite
with Newbies
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by Avra Robinson
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Hello and thanks so much for joining me! My name is Avra Robinson, and I'm an instructor with EdTechTeacher. Anyone who knows me knows that I am a lover of all things Google. When I transitioned my school district to G Suite for EDU (then GAFE), I was thrilled to find such an awesome, collaborative suite of programs for FREE!
My other passion is helping people learn. I love working with "students" of all ages - from Kindergarten through adulthood.

One of the things I've noticed over the years is that people new to programs or digital environments seem to become confused by a lot of the same things! Sometimes it's the basic vocabulary and workflow of the digital environment...or toolbars that appear and disappear in a program...or simply the ongoing plight to stay organized. I've discovered that our newbies (or people new to the programs) really seem to benefit when we can break down some concepts...arming them with the tips and tricks that will help them find success!

Therefore, I am hoping that through this short e-book, I can share a few ideas that have proven to be helpful to my students over the years, and I hope that they can help yours, too! Thanks for reading!
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Avra
Google Headquarters in Boston
July 2017
Lost in (Cyber)Space:
1
Organizing the Abyss that is Google Drive
In the G Suite for EDU environment, Google Drive is a wonderful, unlimited storage space for files of all types. As educators, we know the importance of working with students to help them understand that organization is a key strategy to success in school - and life! 
where are my files?
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We also know that students need to be taught HOW to organize their files. Just as primary teachers painstakingly remind students several times each day to put their physical papers in folders to organize them, we must do the same thing with students in the digital realm. There are several specific strategies that can be used with students to help them organize their files and folders in Google Drive. 
Strategy #1: Coloring Google Drive Folders
One awesome feature that Google Drive has is the ability to change the color of a folder. Setting it apart from Mac and Windows file management systems, the ability to change a folder's color creates opportunities for students of all ages. While they might not be able to read the word, “Science,” pre-readers are able to remember that their science folder is green. Additionally, with this visual cue, students can easily locate and open the folder with practice. 

Older students benefit from coloring their folders as well. Students can choose to color all of their folders – including sub-folders, or they can leave most of their folders the default gray and just color a few important or frequently used folders. Regardless of their choice, the ability to color a folder is a wonderful scaffold to help students locate and organize their work in Google Drive.
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Tech Tip:
Create the folder > Right-click on folder > Select Change Color > Select a Color
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