What is Google Drive? 

Google Drive is a cloud based storage app within Google which allows users to create documents or upload other files to access from any location or device.  

As a student this allows you to create documents even when you are not in school and is still accessible from devices like your smartphone, with the same login you use when in a lesson.  All you need is an Internet Connection

How to access Google Drive

Here we will explain how to access Google Drive on your Smartphone or a school/home computer or laptop. 

Accessing Google Drive on a school/home computer or laptop

(If you do not know your login details please ask your Teacher or your Year's PSM they will get in contact with IT to get these for you)
Please note we are not able to email Student login details to Parents if the student is in School.

There are two different ways of signing into Google and accessing Drive. You can either use Google's Homepage or you can Sign-in through our Student Homepage. As these are both Google login methods they use similar steps when logging in.

It is recommended that you sign into your Google Chrome browser or go to the Google homepage. If using Google's homepage, locate the blue "Sign In" button in the top right of the page. Here you will need to enter your school @Swale.at email address and password. Otherwise if there is already a personal account shown on this menu click "Add account". You will then be able to enter the required details as mentioned above.

Once signed into Google locate and click the 9 squares in the top right of the page where the "Sign In" button used to be. Then select "Drive"  

If using the Student Homepage and are not signed into a @Swale.at Google account you will automatically be met with a login box. Here you will just need to enter your @Swale.at email and password which will then log you straight into the Student Homepage. Here locate the Google Drive icon, click it and you will be taken to your Drive. 

Accessing Google Drive on a smartphone/tablet

This method is when you want to access Google Apps on either Android or iOS. 

• If you are using an Android powered device, to access your school Google Account you will just need to add a new account on your device.

  1. Open settings -> Accounts -> Add Account -> Google.

  2. Enter your email address and your password and accept the agreement.

  3. Now open a Google App, we recommend opening Google Drive.

  4. Tap on the following icon located to the top left of the screen 

  5. You can now press this icon to open your school Google Drive.

• If you are using an iOS powered device, you will need to install any Google App before you can login. We recommend starting with Google Drive

  1. Open Google Drive once downloaded and installed on your device.

  2. You will be requested to login. Enter your email address and your password.

  3. You will now see your files. You may be requested to install further apps on your device (ie. Google Docs, Google Sheets) when you try and open files. You will need to install these.

Using Google Drive

Within Google Drive you are able to create different types of documents, using Docs, Slides and Sheets.  Primarily these are slightly altered versions of Microsoft: Word, PowerPoint and Excel. You also have access to Google Drawings which allows you to use different shapes, text and upload images.  The best way to keep any documents you have created organized is by using Folders.

Creating a folder in Google Drive

1. Once on Google Drive.

2. On the left, click New and then Folder.

3. Enter a name for the folder.

4. Click Create.

Creating new documents in Google Drive

1. Once on Google Drive.

2. On the left, click New.

3. Choose an app.

4. After you give your file a name, you can find it in "My Drive."

Moving created documents in Google Drive

1. Once on Google Drive.

2. Click a file and click Move to…

3. Choose or create a folder, then click Move.

Or

1. Once on Google Drive.

2. Click and hold the item you want to move.

3. Move the item over the folder and release it.

Sharing Created Documents in Google Drive

1. Once on Google Drive.

2. Click the folder you want to share.

3. Click Share Add people.

4. Under "People," type the email address you want to share with.

5. To choose how a person can use the folder, click the Down arrow.

6. Click Send. An email is sent to people you shared with.

Uploading a file from your device

1. Once on Google Drive.

2. Click “New”, select “File Upload” on the drop down and locate the file you want to upload. For a Word, Powerpoint or Excel file you will need to convert these to Google’s version of the app.

3. Double click on the file you want to convert and it will try to open a preview. At the top click “Open with Google Docs”

4. A new tab will open and a copy of the converted document will be created in your Drive.

Collaborating using Google Drive

Google Drive gives you the ability to work on assignments or other pieces of work together with someone else in real time. Meaning any edits you or the other person make are shown and saved as they happen. To do this you would will need to “Share” your document with the other person.

To Share your Document,

1. Open the document you want to share.

2. Locate the “Share” button in the top right of your page.

3. Enter the name or if known the email address of the person you want to share the document to.

4. This will then send the recipient an email notification and a link to the document, it will also show in their  “Shared with me” tab on their Google Drive.