Google Apps to Enhance Learning
|
|
Chrome
Chrome is Google's Browser, and the base of their operating system on the Chromebook. Most Google Applications work outside of Chrome (Safari, Internet Explorer, Edge, Firefox, etc.), but they probably function best if you are using Chrome.
Chrome is designed to be personalized across multiple devices. For this to be effective, you need to sign in. Once you are signed in, your profile picture will be shown (you need to put your own photo in!). The great thing about Chrome is that you can have multiple accounts logged on at the same time, you just toggle back and forth.
Under the My Account app you can control (caveat under your watertown.school domain) your account preferences, security, and application sign on's. This is the "settings" for your Google Account in many ways.
Single Sign-On
Single Sign On could be the very best thing about having a Google Account, especially on mobile. If you see a link, like the one to the right, that has a "g: Sign Up with Google" on it (or log in) you can click the link and it will sign you in automatically. You don't have to remember another username and password! There are tons of apps and websites that utilize this now!
More importantly - is this safe? YES! Google goes to great lengths to keep your Google Account safe, but if it were to be hacked, you only need to change your Google password and all subsequent sites that use single sign on will have a new password. |
The Omnibox
The Omnibox is the white strip where website addresses are located. The reason Google chose to rebrand it is because they were probably the first to fully streamline this bar into much more. In google this is really the catch all, meaning you can type anything in there and if it is not a full site address, it will search for whatever was typed in Google! Want to know when "Shark Week" is? Just type "when is shark week" in the box. This has become almost expected with all browsers now, but remember, Google is the "King of Search!"
Extensions
Extensions are add-on's for Chrome. They enhance user experience by bringing "quick options" that are accessible from the tool bar. Above is an example of what extensions may look like in Chrome.
- Translate - Translates text on-screen without opening other applications
- Pocket - Saves pages to read off-line later (need Pocket App)
- Keep - Works with Google Keep for quick access
- Grammarly - Spell checks grammar on any screen while connected
- AdBlock Plus - Block Ads from popping up
- PushBullet - Works with PushBullet without opening outside App
Note: Chrome may slow if you have too many extensions running. Try to keep it at 10 or less.
Drive
|
|
Office Suite
Forms is a unique tool that Google made to allow you to make quick surveys and collect the information in an organized way through sheets, charts, and graphs. Forms is very easy to use, and it is linked to all the Google Apps to allow for easy integration of content.
|
Hangouts
When you open Hangouts Messenger in Desktop mode, you will get a popup from the bottom of the screen when you add an extension! Hangouts also has a standalone app now from the Chrome Web Store. Essentially, the standalone app is another window, but it only runs Hangouts. You still need connection to run this effectively. |
Keep
Google Keep is a note taking app, but it is so much more than that! Keep can also be accessed across all devices, and it can "keep" images, notes, lists, and put in "reminders" linked to Google Calendar. Keep allows you to "tag" your notes so you can find notes faster. You can also search the notes and tags from the search bar.
|
Keep organizes your notes in chronological order. Google is a search king, so they try to make it easy to search through your notes and tag them to find them easier. Reminders syncs with your Google Calendar to allow you to get time or location based reminders!
Calendar
Left: Click on Create to create a new calendar event. For in-depth details click edit. Click My Calendars to see your calendars. If there is a color next to the calendar - it is showing those events (No color - no events showing).
Right: To have access to specific calendars, click the drop arrow next to it. Click on share this Calendar if you want to share with specific people. You can change the color of events here as well. |
Youtube
|
Others to Try
Google+ is a social network for your Google Account. Google + allows you to connect with others around the world through communities and collections. Google+ lets you follow others and keep up to date with groups.
|
Think Hangouts for extended times. Groups lets you carry on discussions through email or blog style discussions in a controlled environment.
|