As a long-time Google Workspace user and productivity enthusiast, I've seen Google Drive evolve into a powerhouse for students. It's free, works across platforms, and now supports offline access on PC or mobile. How to Use Google Docs or Drive Offline on PC and Mobile How to Use Google Docs or Drive Offline on PC and Mobile The downside of cloud-based services and apps is that you always need to be online to use them. Here's how to take Google Drive offline and what to keep in mind. Read more. Google continues adding student-focused tools that benefit everyone—from essays to data analysis.
The standout new feature? Voice typing in Google Docs via Chrome, powered by the Web Speech API. Google excels at speech-to-text, as seen in Google Keep. 4 Google Keep Tips and tricks for better notes, lists and to-dos 4 Google Keep Tips and tricks for better notes, lists and suggestions - Two Read more.
To use it: Open a new Doc > Tools > Voice Typing. Click the microphone and speak. It supports 40 languages, with voice commands for punctuation (English, German, Spanish, French, Italian, Russian): "Period", "Comma", "Exclamation Point", "Question Mark", "New Line", "New Paragraph".
In my hands-on tests, accuracy is solid—better than expected for a browser tool, though not flawless for long-form writing. It's ideal for students with disabilities dictating essays or transcribing lectures. Pro tip: Pair with a quality external mic. Can you write an entire article using voice dictation on Mac? Well, I just did (and this is it) Can you write an entire article using voice dictation on Mac? Well, I just did (and this is it) What you are reading right now is an example of the dictation program and it talks about Apple in action. It can be useful for short passages, but can you write a full article with it? Read more. Note: It smartly filters profanity. See Google's Help page for details.
Even if Excel edges out Sheets for pros—Excel vs. Google Sheets:Which is better for you? Excel vs. Google Sheets:Which is better for you? Do you really need Excel? Both desktop and online solutions have their advantages. If you're having trouble choosing between Excel and Google Sheets to manage your spreadsheets, let us help you decide. Read More—the new Explore panel simplifies data viz for beginners.
Enter data (e.g., in a finance template: 15 Useful Spreadsheet Templates To Help Manage Your Finances 15 Useful Spreadsheet Templates To Help Manage Your Finances Always keep track of your financial health. These free spreadsheet templates are just the tools you need to manage your money. Read more), and Explore auto-generates bar charts, XY plots, and more in a sidebar. Insert any with one click. Stats or econ majors might skip it, but for number-averse folks like me, it's a game-changer.
Google Docs' Research tool beat Word in our tests: Google Docs vs. Microsoft Word:The Death Match for Research Google Docs Vs. Microsoft Word:The Death Match for research. Online solutions are becoming the norm. We decided to see how Microsoft Word compares to Google Docs. Which one will do the best investigative work? Read More. Now on Android: Tap Edit (pencil) > More (three dots) > Research.
It opens a mini-browser pane for searches, text/image inserts. Missing: Drive file search and dictionary—coming soon, hopefully.
Refinements breathe fresh life into classics.
Revamped templates: Discover streamlined options in Docs, Sheets, Slides. 24 Google Docs Templates That Will Make Your Life Easier 24 Google Docs Templates That Will Make Your Life Easier Templates can save you a lot of time. We've compiled 24 time-saving Google Docs templates for work, health, home, and travel. Get on with your projects, instead of struggling to put documents together. Read More. Student/teacher-specific gems abound.
Enhanced suggestions: Track changes easily with "See new changes" since your last view.
Revamped Forms: Fresher designs, colors, backgrounds, plus easier inserts. Using Google Forms Effectively Supercharging Your Google Forms and Getting More Out of Them Supercharging Your Google Forms and Getting More Out of Them The humble Google Forms have many uses. With the availability of plugins, you can find more ways to take advantage of their usefulness than ever before. Read More.
Chrome's Share to Classroom extension syncs class screens to one page instantly. Students share too. Google Classroom makes teaching easier now. Google aims to make teaching and studying easier as Classroom launches. Google aims to make teaching and studying easier as you get started in the classroom. The new free tool should help teachers quickly create and organize assignments, provide feedback, and easily communicate with their students. Read More. A pilot teacher called it a "winner."
Tools > Preferences > Add text expanders: "qga" becomes "Google Android." Game-changer! What is text expansion and how can it help you save time? What is text expansion and how can it save time? If you could save even a small fraction of the time you spend typing, you could save hours of your time each week. That's exactly what text expansion is for. Read More.
What's your top Google Drive feature?
