Educational institutions have utilized tech evolution to incorporate online learning into their curriculum. Students have the option of learning from anywhere. However, it is almost impossible for them to actively participate in virtual learning without some essential digital tools such as cloud storage. Virtual learning requires students to share, store, and edit their schoolwork online, and there are various applications that provide the perfect platform for all these. The services offered by cloud storage tools provide more than convenience; they also offer peace of mind. Imagine losing your assignment from your device, and the submission deadline is around the corner. You might not have adequate time to redo the paper and you would be left wondering, “Who can help me do my homework fast?” If you had stored the assignment on the cloud, you would easily retrieve it and turn it in. So, let’s take a look at top cloud storage solutions for online students.
DropBox
E-learning often means that all your academic activities are done online, from attending classes to submitting assignments. DropBox offers the best solution for all these since it provides a safe place for saving files. It ensures that files are saved and can be quickly recovered by the user from their devices. Further, you can retrieve files from different devices as long as there is an internet connection. It also means that one can edit or continue working on a document from any gadget.
DropBox keeps track of all modifications made to a document, which means you can review every adjustment made to the document at any time. Keeping tabs on the document editing history makes it possible for students to revise and collaborate on projects. DropBox is also an affordable storage platform for most students since it offers free storage, which often accommodates most students’ needs. Most importantly, students can mark files for offline access, which means they can retrieve files and edit them even without an internet connection. It is a brilliant feature, especially if you like working on your assignments on the go; it ensures you make the most out of your breaks and spare time if you are a busy student who relies on academic writers like those mentioned in the RoyalWriter review to complete assignments.
Apple iCloud
If you use Apple devices such as MacBook and iPhone, then you can opt for Apple iCloud for storage, sharing, and editing of your school documents. Apple iCloud provides an integrated storage solution that promotes one’s productivity and organization. It is particularly suitable for students because it integrates flawlessly with the entire Apple ecosystem, which means you can sync your files and other documents across all of your devices. One of the critical features of iCloud is the automatic backup of data, which ensures that you do not lose your documents permanently, even when a device gets damaged. Moreover, with iCloud, you can access your documents offline from anywhere, which means you can work on your assignments on the go, even without the internet.
Apple iCloud promotes collaborative learning since you share files and work on a document simultaneously using iWork applications such as Pages and Keynote. Further, Apple has also made it possible for students to stay organized and keep track of their schedules through the synchronization of iCloud with the calendar. The 5GB free storage is also a suitable feature for most students, as it can accommodate your documents without the need to purchase any extra storage.
Google Drive
Google Drive is often a preferred cloud storage option for most students primarily due to its less complicated interface. Additionally, it offers 15GB of free storage. When combined with Google Workspace, it provides the best platform for online students to collaborate on projects and assignments. It means that you can handle group projects virtually with your group members and receive instant feedback from your lecturer. Additional features such as commenting and the ability to suggest edits ensure that collaborations run smoothly. This storage tool also has features that allow it to connect with other applications, for instance, Google Docs and Google Classroom, to enable the creation and sharing of documents.
What’s more, the automatic saving and version control features allow students to access the history of all the changes they have made to the document. This storage tool also makes it possible for students to share files with specific people and includes control permissions such as read-only, edit access, and much more. Such permissions mean that an action can be taken on a document only if you allow it, which offers protection. Most importantly, Google Drive supports diverse file formats, including photos and PDFs; thus, there is no limit to what you can store and edit on your Google Drive.
Mega
Mega offers a large free storage of 20GB, which is enough for students’ videos and learning materials. However, if you need more space, Mega offers affordable paid plans to ensure you can get sufficient storage as required. The end-to-end encryption ensures that your account is secure and you are the only one who can access it. The robust user privacy ensures that nobody can share your files, which is an appealing confidentiality feature. If you work on large files and multimedia, then Mega is the best storage option for you since it allows for fast sharing and uploading of large files.
What’s more, it has a built-in messaging platform that allows students to communicate and collaborate without the need to use a separate messaging application. Also, you can access your documents from anywhere and on any device as long as you have the right log-ins, which makes it a suitable option for students who want to work on their projects or assignments on the go.
Closing Remarks
Virtual learning means most of your academic tasks are handled online, including handling group work. Therefore, you have to get a reliable application that will make it easy for you to save documents and carry out tasks such as editing seamlessly. As you progress with your classwork, you will be building up more class notes and reading materials; thus, cloud storage applications become a necessity. While most students are familiar with Google Drive, it is also essential to note that there are several other applications with exceptional features you can explore to enhance your e-learning experience.
