Google Drive App Add-Ons

In Google Drive, you have the option of starting many different projects using various Google Apps. These Apps include Docs, Sheets, Slides, Drawings, and Forms. Did you know you can find and add more though? There is an option for adding more apps beyond the stock apps that come with Google Drive. This can be done through a link in the NEW drop down menu like seen to the right.

Clinking on the link, “Connect more apps”, reveals a pop up window where you can browse available apps to connect to your Drive. Here are five apps I have tried that I have liked. Take  look at them and see if you find any of them useful. You can also take a look at the library of apps now that you know how to get there. Let me know if you see anything that you like.

1. Lucidchart for Education: Lucidchart is a mindmapping tool. You can use it for creating diagrams and other visuals. I have used it to provide visual representations of key players and their roles in conflicts like the Rwandan genocide. Other ideas include Venn diagrams and flowcharts.
2. Pixlr: Pixlr is an image editor. It goes well beyond Google Drawings and offers a very solid and free alternative to Photoshop.
3. VideoNot.es: This is an interesting resource. It allows you to take notes for a YouTube video. However, you can also take the notes and place them at certain points in the video. You open the VideoNot.es app and insert the video url in the marked area. Then you simply add the notes where you want as you watch the video. The final product can be share with students or other teachers through Google Drive. Here are some links to some posts about YouTube channel resources for the classroom and using video in the classroom.
4. PearDeck: This app combines the benefits of presentation tools and student assessment programs like Kahoot or Socrative into one package.
5. WeVideo: WeVideo is a video editing app. It is a good fit for those of you who have students create their own videos in class. Examples of this may include student documentaries or newscasts.

Let me know what I missed. There are plenty of resources out there so it would be interesting to see what caught your eye. Follow me on Twitter @JoshuaElliott3 for more tips and ideas.