Intro to Google Workspace for Education Plus
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Dickson County uses Google Workspace for Education Plus for all our internet-based instructional and work needs. The workspace includes access to all the apps you see listed on the following slides. every student and staff member within the district has these programs installed on their internet browser (Chrome) when they login with their school username and password. All the apps and features work together, and new internet-based programs are integrating with google every day.
What is Google Workspace for Education Plus?
Why are we a google district?
Because they are integrated into everything…
even if it’s not a google product!
So let’s get started with the google basics...
First, Google chrome is a “Browser” or a way to get onto and interact with the internet.
Because you are a school employee, you automatically have a Chrome/Google account. So, to access all the awesomeness of Chrome, you need to sign in to the Chrome browser.
Firefox, Safari, and Microsoft Edge
(formerly Internet Explorer) are other browsers.
Your chrome account:
Username: Same as your groupwise email (likely your first initial and last name @dcstn.org)
Password: Same as your groupwise email password
2. Click on the person icon in the top right corner and “Turn on Sync” to sign in to Chrome.
3. Use your school email for your username and the same password to sign in to Chrome.
Logging in to Chrome & Google Workspace
Once you sign in, You can access apps (programs) from the “waffle” in the top right corner
And now let’s investigate the most important apps (tools, programs) that are included with google workspace...
The king and queen
Click the Icons to learn more about each program
These programs are where information and files will be posted, shared, and stored. They store everything else and control your ability to access what you create in the other google programs.
The Google Workspace (all the programs and components of your google account) automatically saves everything you open or edit in any program. Then, it will put the file for whatever it is in Google Drive like a filing cabinet. So, it is important to have folders and name every file something specific. You access Google Drive from the waffle.
Your “loose” files will be listed at the bottom of the page and can get very muddled if you don’t name files specifically and use folders.
Using folders can help you organize the different files to easily find them later. You can name the folders whatever you like and even color-code them. You can add subfolders within the folders as well.
The files you opened most recently will be listed at the top of your Drive screen. The “New” button is how you can add folders.
Google Drive:
Your electronic filing cabinet
Please Watch these GREAT videos on uploading and Organizing Files in Google Drive
If you drag and drop files into the actual folder icons, they will not go into specific subfolders. However, if you click the dropdown arrows on the right hand side, you can view all the subfolders. Then, you can drag and drop files into more specific subfolders to stay better organized.
You can search for files using the search bar.
When someone “Shares” something with you, it will be found here.
This is the “starred” section she mentions to find files more quickly.
“Priority” is another option to make files you need a lot more accessible.
If you accidentally delete something, don’t panic. All “trashed” items will stay in this spot for 30 days, and you can right click and “Restore” them if necessary.
Super important!!!
When you want other people to see a file that is in your drive, you have to share it with them. Right click the file and select “Share”.
Then you will be able to share the file with others directly or with a link. All files will automatically be set to “Restricted,” which means only the people you add at the top will be able to open and see the file.
Click this to change so you can share with the link
Super important!!!
You will have several options to choose from:
- “Restricted” means only those you have added at the top will be able to see it.
- “Dickson County Schools” means anyone within the school system (student or staff) will be able to see it.
- “Anyone with a link” means any person who can access the provided share link can see it.
If you choose “anyone with the link” or “Dickson County Schools,” you will then have several options for what people can do when they open the file:
Click this to copy the share link that you can post or email to other people
What is Google Classroom?
Google Classroom:
your electronic bulletin board
Students will likely have multiple classes within their “Google Classroom” account.
Assignments and Materials will be posted under the “Classwork” tab
Google’s programs are APPsolutely fabulous!
The instructional “Meat and potatoes”
Google Docs:
This app creates word documents like essays, lists, and worksheets.
Google sheets:
This app creates spreadsheets that can be used to organize information.
Google forms:
This app creates questions and is often used for assessments, sign ins, and feedback.
Google slides:
This app creates presentations and can also be used for assignments.
Google sites:
This app creates websites to use for posting information and sharing things with parents.
Gmail:
Every google account comes with a free email account called gmail. We do not use it for school/work emails, but you do have an account.
Click the icons for more information about each app.
The Instructional “Bells and whistles”
Click the icons for more information about each app.
Google drawings:
This app lets you create your own “Drawings” or images to later use in other projects.
Google jamboard:
This app acts like a virtual whiteboard that you can literally write (not just type) on.
Google Meet:
This app lets you meet and talk electronically with other people using the webcam and mic on a device. students most likely access this through the meet link on a google classroom header.
youtube:
Youtube is the world’s largest video library. Your google account includes a youtube account where you can post videos.
When you create or edit a file with any of the apps we just covered, the file will automatically save in google drive.
Or...you can open a file within the app itself instead of going to google drive by clicking the app icon from the waffle...
What it looks like in Slides...
What it looks like in Docs...
All files will default to “Untitled” when you create it. So, it is very important to rename your files something specific so that you can find them later.
Default Name
Generic Name
Specific Name
Then it will dump the file into the “loose” section of your google drive.
To keep everything from going into the “Loose” section of Drive, You can tell google where to store your file when it saves in drive from within the file itself.
just click the folder button at the top of any file in any app, and choose where to save the file in Drive (remember, folders are your friend).
Extensions you access from individual buttons or the puzzle piece
Extension Buttons
If you can’t find an extension, click the Puzzle Piece in the top right corner.
The puzzle piece will drop down and show extensions that will not fit on your extensions bar.
You can click the push pin icon to “pin” the extension so that it shows on your extensions bar,
If you still don’t see the extension you’re looking for, click “Manage extensions” to see the entire list of installed extensions and use the button to turn them on or off.
off
on
An “extension” adds features and functions to an internet browser or program. These are installed from the Chrome Webstore by searching and clicking “Add to Chrome.”
These are some the extensions that are installed on student accounts from central office that can be helpful for instruction.
QR Code Extension:
This extension scans QR codes and can also create QR codes for the site or file you have open on the internet.
Reader Mode Extension:
This extension removes ads and other distracting content from webpages.
Classlink Extension:
This extension gets students on their classlink launchpads quickly.
KAMI Extension:
This extension gets students on Kami quickly.
Read & Write and Read Aloud Extensions:
These extensions will read the words on the page to students. Warning: It reads everything unless you select specific text.
Google Docs Offline Extension:
This extension allows students to access certain content and files from their google accounts when they don’t have internet.
These are the extensions that are installed on all accounts from central office to support other technology programs (but are not as likely to be used by students unless the teacher needs them to access it).
CK Authenticator Extension:
This extension is for content keeping through the tech department.
Chrome Remote Desktop Extension:
This extension allows people to “remote in” to another person’s browser to fix tech issues.
Office editing for Docs, Sheets, and Slides Extension:
This extension lets you view and edit Word, Excel, and Powerpoint files with Docs, Sheets, and Slides,
Micro Focus iprint Extensions:
This extensions helps with printing within our network.
You also have access to these programs that can be very useful in keeping track of personal and work-related “things to do”.
Google Calendar:
This app is a calendar where you can post appointments and meetings. It integrates with other google apps like gmail and classroom.
Google Keep:
This app lets you create notes and to do lists that you can then access or edit from any device at any time.
Click the icons for more information about each app.
Take the Google Workspace with you wherever you go...
All of the google programs have apps for both apple and android phones!
Top 3 phone apps to download!!
Downloading the Google Drive app on your phone makes getting files into Google Drive (and then on ANY device) SO easy!
1
Top 3 phone apps to download!!
Most phones already have a note taking app, but Downloading the Google Keep app makes your notes and to-do lists available on any device at any time!
2
Top 3 phone apps to download!!
Downloading the Google Calendar app on your phone makes scheduling life and work SO easy!
3
Let’s review the key points...
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Extension: 16400
Email: lbuhler@dcstn.org
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Access this presentation and all its information on the tech hub under “Resources” then “Training Presentations”