Getting started
Whether you're using an existing account or setting up a new one for this course, accessing course files is pretty straightforward.
Log in:
- point your browser to drive.google.com, gmail.com, or even just google.com.
- look for the "login" option, and you'll see the window at right to enter your email (gmail) address and password.
- Once you're in, click the small cluster of nine squares at the top right of the screen, featured below. It reveals the most commonly used Google applications. Select "Drive" from this list.
The more you explore the functionality of the GoogleDrive and its commands on your own, the better you'll understand it and the more comfortable you will be using it, both for this class and for your own purposes. If you're new to the Drive, try a few of the following commands to enhance your familiarity.
- Toggle between the "list" view and "grid" view.
- See what hides behind the "more options" link.
- Figure out how to adjust sharing.
The key function of the GoogleDrive in this course is for you to work with your peers on creating and maintaining a study guide that will be used for the midterm and final exams. The image at right reveals the drive structure that has been shared with you, in a folder called "study guide materials."
Where do I find this folder?
Notice the navigation panel at left. Whether yours looks like this or has slightly different wording, you will likely need to access this panel to find the folder I've shared with you.
- Select "Incoming" or "Shared with Me"
- Find the "study guide materials" folder
- Hover over the folder and select "Add to my Drive," then designate where you would like this folder to appear in your own system.
In the "study guide materials" folder shared with you, select the "group topics" subfolder and find the file for your group's primary thematic focus. Remember the tasks required for this collaborative assignment:
- post the highlights from the period introduction as they pertain to your topic
- reflect on at least three works from the period as they pertain to your topic
- include pertinent and properly cited quotations
- if you include images or other outside materials, make sure these are properly cited, too
Checking your secondary topic:
The secondary topic is meant to serve as a system of checks and balances. For each of the units of our semester -- middle ages, sixteenth century, seventeenth century, eighteenth century -- your group aim is to add at least one viable point to the existing discussion and at least one additional example from a piece of literature created by the primary discussion group. In other words, contribute twice before midterm and twice afterward. When you access the document for your secondary topic, please observe the following protocols.
- do not delete any of the existing content
- add pertinent content by inserting comments (using the Insert > Comment function at the top of the GoogleDoc page)
Throughout the semester, you'll have the opportunity to earn additional points by adding content to the dates and terms list. Instructions on how to do so appear in this document [link forthcoming], but the main points are repeated here:
- include necessary parenthetical citations
- use the footnote tool to indicate your name and the date of your addition
- use the "comment" function if you need to adjust or correct an entry made by one of your classmates. DO NOT DELETE information from this document. I will work through the comments and make adjustments to the body of the document.
The added benefit of becoming familiar with the Google Drive is that it gives you access to seemingly limitless storage space and is accessible from wherever you have an internet connection. While we won't be using the Drive specifically for this purpose in this class, I encourage you to at least give it a try. Cloud storage like this is a great alternative to emailing files to yourself or using portable drives.
