Having a Google account with access to Gmail, Drive, Docs, and Slides is essential to your micro-credential experience. These tools will allow you to access required templates used for artifacts as well as upload, create and organize your work as you finalize your artifacts for submission.
Google accounts are free, and Google also provides free training resources if you are a new user or just want to learn more about Google features. To learn more about Google Drive click here.
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Google Docs is an online document program enabling users to create, import, edit, format, share, collaborate, print, and download. Learn more about Google Docs here.
- Google Slides is an online presentation program enabling users to create, import, add content, share, collaborate, present, print, and download. Learn more about Google Slides here.
Setting up a Google Account
Before beginning micro-credential work, if you do not already have a Google account with access to Gmail and Drive, click here to create a free account.
Google Drive offers an online space enabling users to upload, store, view, update, organize, search, share, and collaborate.
Organizing Your Work in Google Drive
In Google Drive, it is recommended that you create a folder named BloomBoard and then create subfolders for each micro-credential you are working to earn. You can save downloadable templates and other resources from the platform within the folder. The image below shows one way you may set up a file structure using folders within Google Drive.
Within each MC folder, you can create sub folders for each artifact and/or resources shared to support your learning and earning for each micro-credential.
Uploading Your Artifacts to the BloomBoard Platform
Best practices include downloading your Google files and saving them as PDF or JPG or MP4 to your device and then uploading them directly to the platform. This helps to eliminate issues with formatting and legibility. Below you will find directions for converting your Google files to an accepted format as well as for uploading them to your submission.
How do I convert my document?
Google Docs:
- Click File
- Select Download
- Select “PDF Document (pdf.)”
- After saving the PDF, you’ll be returned to your document, and the new PDF will open automatically in your default PDF viewer.
Microsoft Word/Excel:
- Open the document you want to convert and then click the “File” tab.
- Select “Save As” from the list on the left.
- Click the dropdown arrow on the right side of the “Save As Type” box and select “PDF (*.pdf)” from the dropdown menu.
- After saving the PDF, you’ll be returned to your document, and the new PDF will open automatically in your default PDF viewer.
- For more information, you can view this video.
Google Slides with speaker notes:
- Export your slide presentation as a “PDF (*.pdf)” by clicking the “Print Settings and Preview” option and exporting as “1 slide with notes.”
- For more information, you can view this video.
PowerPoint with speaker notes:
- Export your slide presentation as a “PDF (*.pdf)” by clicking the “Print” option and changing the “Layout” to “Notes.”
- Then click on the “PDF” drop-down menu in the bottom left corner and select “Save as PDF.”
- For more information, you can view this video.
For more information about Converting a Document to PDF Format please view this article
How do I upload my converted files?
1. Select the blue Upload Artifact(s) button.
2. Select My Device to access your files.
3. Choose your file/s and click the Open button to upload them to your submission.
For more information about uploading videos, you can view the article Video Tips.