Sharing files

Recently my CLB 4 Literacy have been learning computer skills. 

They learned to format and send emails. They made LINC portfolios using a folder system in Google Drive.

Next, I wanted to teach them about file sharing.

I started with email attachments. Following instructions, they typed 2-4 sentences in a Word document, saved the document and then emailed me, sending their document as an attached file.

Everyone did this successfully, and as they left the class they were doing the happy dance.


A few days later, a student sent me an email with her homework assignment in an attached Word document. When I commented on it the next day, she said she used the instruction sheet at home. When her husband saw her working on it, he said, in a tone of awe, "You know how to do that?"

Needless to say, that made me feel pretty good.

https://www.freeiconspng.com/img/16033

But then at our next staff meeting, one of my colleagues spoke about Google Drive, explaining how her CLB 7 students regularly share files with her on that platform. And then I watched a video claiming that it is far superior to share via Google Drive than to send email attachments. 

My bubble burst ever so slightly. Was I doing it wrong? Should I have taught my students about sharing via Google Drive instead of attached files?

I set to work on an instruction sheet: "How to share a file in Google Drive". At about step 3, I realized something: it's rather complicated, especially for students with limited English.

So, I decided to consult an expert -- my husband, the IT consultant -- about the advantages and disadvantages of each method. 

At the end of our conversation, I concluded that the K-I-S-S motto applies. 

So for now, for CLB 4 literacy students, I will Keep It Super Simple and let them send their documents as attachments rather than to go through the more complicated process of sharing via Google Drive. My colleague can teach them about that when they get to CLB 7!