SpacesEDU Updates iPad App

Spaces is a digital portfolio tool that I've covered since the beginning of 2021 when it launched with a great feature called Asynchronous Breakout Rooms. Since then it has grown to include better reporting features and "best of" showcase features. The latest update comes in the form of an updated iPad app. 

The updated app is designed for students. The previous version was focused on teacher use. The updated Spaces EDU app includes single sign-in, summary statements, and a compatibility with landscape and portrait mode. 

Create a “Best of” Portfolio

One of the things that first drew me to Spaces was the ability to create individual, group, and whole class portfolios. But until now there wasn’t a way to quickly put the same submitted work into multiple portfolios. That has changed with the latest update to Spaces. Now you can quickly copy students’ work from a group or class portfolio into an individual portfolio. This makes it possible to do something like create a “best of” portfolio for students to share work that they have done in groups and done individually throughout the year.

Tips for Managing Google Drive Folders

A couple of mornings ago a reader asked me to help her figure out how a Google Doc she didn't remember sharing was accessed by a colleague. After ruling out that her account had been compromised I discovered that the document in question was part of a shared Google Drive folder. The document was created while she was in the shared folder and therefore it was automatically shared with everyone who had access to the folder. 

Monday's experience prompted me to record a few short videos to explain some settings and share some tips for managing Google Drive folders. 

In An Overview of Google Drive Folder Sharing Settings I demonstrate and explain how to create a folder, how to put files into and take them out of folders, and how the permissions of a shared folder impact the permissions of the files within the folder. 

How to Color Code Google Drive Folders is a short video that shows you exactly what the title states. Color coding your Google Drive folders can make it a little easier to quickly recognize important folders like those associated with your Google Classroom.



You can share your Google Drive folders and files for set duration of time by creating an expiration date for access to them. Watch How to Set Expiration Dates for Google Drive Folders & Files to learn how to place time limits on your sharing settings.