How to Use the Share Files Feature in Teacher Dashboard
The Share files feature in Teacher Dashboard allows you to quickly share Google Drive files with students. You no longer have to open every individual file in Google Drive and type student emails to share files with them. Instead, Share files makes it easy to send students resources while you’re planning instruction or during class.
You can even create new resources directly from Share files without having to leave Teacher Dashboard. Additionally, you can easily differentiate instruction by sharing resources with specific students or student groups.
Accessing Share Files
To get started:
- Log into Teacher Dashboard through app.hapara.com.
- Click on your class.
- Click the blue Share Files button on the top right-hand side of your screen.
Once you click on Share Files, a pop-up form will appear, giving you options to:
- Share an existing file from your Google Drive or device
- Create a new Google Drive file
- Select file permissions and settings
Share an Existing File
In Teacher Dashboard you can share an existing file from your Google Drive or from your device. You can do this when planning a lesson or as learning is happening during class. For example, you may want to share a math exit ticket to every student’s Google Drive folders. Or you may want to share an enrichment activity during class with three students who are finished with their assignment.
To share an existing file:
- Click Share Files.
- In the pop-up form, click on the Select or Upload File button.
3. A screen will appear that shows the files you already have stored in your Google Drive.
4. Click on the file you want to share. If you don't see it, then type the name of the file into the search bar.
5. After you choose the file, click the Select button. That will bring you back to the Share Files pop-up window.
6. Edit the file name by typing in the text box at the top.
7. Select your file permission.
8. Then select the group you're sharing it with and the subject folder where it will be stored (if your school set up the subject folders for you.)
9. If you have other files you want to share, you can select more at this point.
Note: You can share up to five files.
10. Lastly, Click the blue Share To Button at the bottom.
Creating and Sharing a New File
While you may have your files prepped and already stored in Google Drive, there may be times when you want to create a new file directly from Share files. For example, during class you may realize that it would be helpful for students to do a “quick write” to help ideas flow for the next part of the lesson. In this case, you can quickly create a new document and share it with students.
To create and share a new file:
1. Click Share Files.
2. In the pop-up form, click on the icon for the type of Drive File you'd like to create and share. You can choose Doc, Sheet, Slide, or Drawing.
3. Then type a name for the file in the text box.
4. Select your file permissions.
5. Then select the group you're sharing it with and the subject folder where it will be stored (if your school set up subject folders for you.)
6. You can now create and share other files if you'd like.
Note: As a reminder, you can share up to five files.
7. Finally, click the Share To button.
How to Use the Share Files Feature in Teacher Dashboard – Permissions and Sharing Settings
Share Files Permissions
You can select your file permissions directly from Share files. Whether you want students to be able to edit a file or just view it, for example, you can set that permission. This makes it easy to quickly share a digital file and have students interact with exactly the way you want.
| Copy: Student - Owned | Share: Viewer | Share: Commenter | Share Editor | |
| What This Means | Each student receives their own copy of the file and can edit it and add their own content. | Students can only view and make a copy of the file | Students can view, copy, and add comments to the file. They cannot edit the file. | Students can edit the shared file and add their own content. |
| Ideal Situation for Using this Setting | When you want students to be able to edit separate, individual files. | When you want to share a file that you don't want students to edit or comment on. | When you don't want students to be able to edit the file, but you'd like students to respond (either to the content of the file or to other students' comments.) | When you want groups of students to work together in one file. |
| Example | Work that students will individually complete (graphic organizers, warm-ups, quizzes, homework, and other independent practice.) | Class syllabuses, presentation slides, articles, and other files you want to use again. | Work samples with errors that students need to find and comment on. | Group projects with shared assignments (note-taking templates, peer editing work, shared research projects, etc.) |
Tip: If you want to give each student their own copy to edit (Copy: Student - Owned) you can append the file name by adding the student's name to the end.
Select Append Name to add the individual student's name to their copy of the file.
Share Files Audience Settings
The Share Files feature also allows you to differentiate instruction by sharing files with specific students, groups of students, or your entire class.
| Share by Class(es) | Share by Student(s) | Share by Group(s) | |
| What this means | A copy of the file will be placed inside each student's Google Drive folder for the class or classes you select. | A copy of the file will be placed inside the Google Drive folder for each student you select. | A copy of the file will be placed inside each student's Google Drive folder for the group or groups you select. |
| Example | If you have an informational article that you want your classes to read, you can instantly share the file with everyone in your classes. | If you have students in your class who need personalized support, you can share scaffolded resources with those select students. | If you have students working in groups on research projects with different topics, you can share a different note-taking document with each group |
Please follow the link below to view the Hapara Support Article