BinaryTree

BinaryTree

Digital Literacy Program

Digital Literacy and Digital Entrepreneurship

BinaryTree

Week 2

Introduction to Google Workspace

Recap of Last Week

Last week, we talked about:

• Various forms of social media and how they work
• How to build professional networks using LinkedIn
• How to browse the internet safely
• How each form of social media has its own unique features

Introduction to Google Workspace

Google Workspace is a collection of useful cloud-based programs designed to boost productivity. To fully utilize it, you need to understand its individual tools.

Google Workspace includes:

Gmail

Email and communication

Google Drive

Cloud file storage

Google Docs

Word processing

Google Sheets

Spreadsheets

Google Slides

Presentations

Google Classroom

Education platform

Gmail – Introduction

• Gmail is the keystone of Google Workspace — offering a mainstream form of communication and deep integration with Google tools.

Gmail allows you to:

• Communicate worldwide — send messages reliably to anyone at a global scale
• Share files — attach any file type to an email (always verify files are safe before downloading)
• Sign in to other websites — your Gmail account is accepted by almost every major website online

Gmail – Importance & Risks

• A Gmail account may be the most valuable tool in Google Workspace — you can sign into almost every website on the internet.
• All important notifications can be synced to one place.

However, there is a critical risk:

• If your Gmail account is hacked, all websites you signed into with it will be compromised.
• It is important to always recognize the risks of choices you make online.

Gmail – Tools to Know

• Compose – Write a direct message to other Gmail accounts, delivered instantly to their inbox.
• Inbox – Your main center for receiving all emails.
• Starred – Star important emails so they appear separately from the main inbox stream.
• Sent – View all emails you have already sent to others.

Activity

Live Demo

Send your own email!

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Follow the instructor's directions and send an email to binarytree61@gmail.com about one thing you learned.

Google Drive – Introduction

• Google Drive is a cloud-based synchronization service designed to organize and store documents, slideshows, spreadsheets, and more.
• View past projects by searching the document name or browsing the Recent section.
• Access documents shared with you via 'Shared with Me' in the left toolbar.
• Create new files (docs, sheets, slides, forms) using the + New button in the top left.

Google Drive – Organization

• Drive uses folders to group projects. Click + New → Folder to create one and name it.
• Folders can be nested inside other folders, creating layers of organization for even complex projects.
• Move existing files to folders by right-clicking → Organize → Move, then selecting the folder path.
• Tips: Color-code folders for faster visual organization. Star important items for quick access via the Starred tab.

Google Drive – Sharing & Collaboration

A core feature of Drive is real-time collaboration. Right-click any file or folder → Share to get started.

Permission levels:

E

Editor

Full permission to change and edit the project.

C

Commenter

Can suggest edits via comments, but cannot modify content directly.

V

Viewer

Can only view the project — no changes allowed.

Activity

10 min

Create a general folder with 3 sub-folders. Add a doc, slideshow, and sheet inside each.

Change the color of each sub-folder.

Star one item.

Google Docs

• Google Docs is a word processor for writing resumes, essays, reports, and more. Changes are automatically saved to Drive.
• To create a new doc, go to docs.google.com and click 'Blank document' or choose a template.
• Docs supports real-time collaboration — collaborators appear with different colored cursors.
• Useful keyboard shortcuts: Ctrl+A (select all), Ctrl+C (copy), Ctrl+V (paste), Ctrl+Shift+> / < (font size).

Activity

5 min

Collaborate on a shared Google Doc!

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Click the link in the chat and write 1 paragraph about what you learned about Google Docs.

Google Sheets

• Google Sheets is online spreadsheet software that organizes data into rows and columns. It is ideal for tracking large amounts of data.
• Rows are numbered, columns are lettered. Resize columns by hovering over the column header until a double arrow appears, then drag.
• Each cell works like a mini document — you can change font, size, and color. Press Enter to move down, Tab to move right.
• Add custom functions via Data → Named Functions → Add New Function.

Activity

8 min

Click the Sheets link in the chat.

Take your own cell(s), resize as needed, and write 3–4 sentences on different ways to use Google Sheets.

Google Slides

• Google Slides is a flexible presentation platform for integrating images, text, and layouts to create informative slideshows.
• Themes unify the design across all slides. Change via: Deselect → Top bar → Theme.
• Layouts determine how content is arranged. Change via: Deselect → Top bar → Layout.
• Good design tips: Use bullet points for conciseness, contrasting colors for readability, bold for emphasis, and images to catch the audience's eye.

Activity

10 min

Create 5 slides about a topic you enjoy learning about.

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Use a theme, add images, and keep text concise with bullet points.

Bonus Google Tools

Google Classroom

Educational software where teachers post materials, assignments, and grades. Students join via a class code and can also contribute to the stream.

Google Earth

Free satellite-based 3D map of the entire Earth. Includes Street View for ground-level perspectives on roads and locations.

Google Maps

2D projection map for finding locations, restaurants, hospitals, and more. Features real-time turn-by-turn directions for driving, walking, transit, and more.

BinaryTree

End of Lesson

See you next week — we'll be talking about Workflow Automation!