Files and Backup
It is the responsibility of every staff member and student at St Charbel's College to ensure their files are backed up. External hard drives and usb thumb drives will adequately back up files on devices, but this technology often fails. It is important to back up files on cloud based storage in case laptops, hard drives and usb thumb drives fail.
What is 'The Cloud'?
'The Cloud' is a term we hear more and more – so much so that its definition seems to have been diluted over the years. What is the cloud, exactly? Why does it matter if we know about it? And what does it mean for us here at St Charbel's?
In the simplest terms, cloud computing means storing and accessing data and programs over the internet instead of your computer's hard drive. The cloud is just a metaphor for the Internet. In 'cloud computing', data is stored on computers called 'servers' which are housed in buildings called 'server farms' all over the world. This data is safe, secure and able to be accessed by users anywhere, any time on any device.
Storing your School work and ensuring it is backed up is a priority. Technology can fail, be lost or stolen so it is essential to have a backup strategy so your files are safe, no matter what happens to your device. St Charbel's College provides access to OneDrive (as part of Microsoft Office 365), and Google Drive (Within G Suite for Education)
The key benefits of using cloud based storage are:
- Student work is safe and secure - even if devices are broken or stolen
- All teachers and students will have the ability to store and retrieve data anywhere, anytime from any device, with NO LIMITATION on storage capacity.
- Teachers and students are able to use their school email addresses to log in.
- Teachers and students can create, store and share documents, images, presentations and video's, for the purpose of learning and assessment)
- Both Google Drive and One Drive gives teachers a tool that:
- can ensure students always have access to crucial class resources
- can monitor students progress on projects
- can provide timely and helpful feedback on formative assessment
- Its free, easy to learn and use, reliable, efficient and fast
OneDrive
OneDrive can be used either through your web browser to edit files through Office Online or with the full Office program. You can also install a Sync Tool to keep a local copy of your files on your device and accessible for every platform.
This will potentially help prevent data loss in case of computer failure or accidental user error. The OneDrive Cloud Storage app also provides a recycle bin in case you want to restore deleted files if you saved them online.
On laptops, the OneDrive Cloud Storage app will install a OneDrive folder on your computer. It is important to keep ALL your files within this folder if you want them to be synced to your OneDrive cloud based storage automatically. This will allow you to access all your files any where, any time on any device.
Google Drive
Because all G Suite applications run from within a browser, and are automatically stored within your Google Drive, there is no real need for a tool that 'Sync's' files on your device with your cloud based storage. Where Google's syncing tool is effective however, is when it allows you to access your files if no internet connection is present. Google Back up and Sync will allow you to modify and edit your documents if you are not connected to the internet and will automatically sync files once an internet connection is established.
On laptops, the Google Back up and Sync app will install a Google Drive folder on your computer. It is important to keep any files within this folder if you want them to be synced to your Google Drive cloud based storage automatically. This will allow you to access all your files any where, any time on any device.