Using Google for your Design Project
Using Google: Overview
Before continuing with Module 4, please either (1) make a copy, (2) download, or (3) print the Design Guide for this instruction design project. Note that the Design Guide is authored within Google Docs. For ease of use in this and future modules, we recommend you have a Google account, and make a copy of the Design Guide to use within Google Docs.
To make a copy of the Design Guide to use with Google Docs, you must first have your own free Google account. However, if you can't or don't want to have a Google account, your other options are to print, download, or email the Design Guide to use offline or within a word processing software of your choice. Let's review these options.
Recommended: Use Your Google Account
As noted, to make a copy of the Design Guide to use with Google Docs, you must first have your own free Google account Links to an external site.. Having a Google account has many benefits on this project. While optional, with a Google account you will have access to several free tools that will help you work on the design and development of your project, such as:
- Google Drive Links to an external site. to store and share items you develop within Google
- Authoring tools like Google Docs Links to an external site., Google Sheets Links to an external site., Google Slides Links to an external site., and Google Forms Links to an external site..
- Google's YouTube Links to an external site. to upload videos you may develop
Google Account Sign Up
If you don't have a Google Account and want to use Google Docs for this project, go to the Google Account Sign Up Links to an external site. webpage:
Accessing the Design Guide in Google Docs
Option 1: Copy the Design Guide
To copy the Design Guide to your own Google Doc, you must be logged in your Google account. Once logged in your Google account and on the Design Guide page Links to an external site., you will see the options shown below on the File menu. To copy the Design Guide to your own Google Drive folder, select "Make a copy ..." from the menu and follow the prompts.
Option 2: Print, Download, or Email the Design Guide
If you do not want a Google account, your other options are to print, download, or email the Design Guide as a document file. Without a Google account, you will not see the "Make a copy ..." option in the File menu at the top of the Design Guide page Links to an external site.. Instead, your options will be limited, including:
- To print the Design Guide to a printer, select "Print" from the menu and follow the prompts.
- To save a document file (i.e. .pdf, .docx, .odt etc.), select either "Download as ..." or "Email as attachment" from the menu and follow the prompts.
How to Share Your Google Doc with Others
It is important to note that in order for others to be able to view your Google Doc, you must go through a few steps to share it. The following summarizes three important steps you must take to share your Google Doc with others.
1. Step 1
Click "Share" in the upper right hand corner of the Google Doc page (see 1 below):
2. Step 2
Click "Get shareable link"(see 2 below):
3. Step 3
You are now able to copy the link to your Google Doc (see 3 below) and anyone with the link can view it. Click "Done" to confirm.