This page is intended as a guide to what gmail is and how to use it some aspects of this page might seem very basic but the intention is that if you have never used an email client before we should by the end of this page have you up and running.
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What is Covered
What is Covered
Basics
Basics
What is Gmail
What is Gmail
Google Gmail is the email application provided as part of the G Suite package. It is used for communication with teachers, learners,whole school or cohort related notices are delivered here also.
How do i open Gmail
How do i open Gmail
You can open Gmail in a number of ways no matter which way you pick you will need to log in with your @honywoodschool email address and password.
You can open Gmail on the ipad by clicking the Gmail icon you can see here to the right here. The very first time you open the app on the iPad you will need to sign in with the details mentioned above
you can also open Gmail on any web browser by going to https://mail.google.com this takes you to your GSuite sign in page
What does Gmail look like and how do i see my emails
What does Gmail look like and how do i see my emails
What i am about to show you is how Gmail looks on the iPad it is slightly different if you open it on a web browser but is very similar.
To the right is a screen shot of the Gmail app inbox. I have highlighted a number of items that are described below to help you find your way around.
The emails in blue are the email messages. I have highlighted two. Each message has the following
A sender which is the first line in bold
A subject which is the second line slightly smaller but also in bold
The third line is the first sentence in the email message
Below the third line are details of any attachments (if there is one the second email highlighted here does not have an attachment)
A red circle in the top left is highlighting the Gmail menu button pressing this opens the email folder window allowing you to navigate around any folders you have made. this can be seen in the second image
A pink circle in the bottom right is highlighting the Compose button this is the NEW email button pressing this opens the compose windows and starts you writing a new email (see section regarding new email later in this guide).
How do i read an email
How do i read an email
Reading an email could not be easier from the home screen or any screen showing a list of emails much like the one in the first image above
Simply press on an email this will open up the reading pain.
At the top you can see who its from along with the subject
The pink bit and below is the body of the email
There are a few icons at the tops right
First is a square box with a down arrow - this is the archive button. You use this to store an email but remove it from the inbox
Next is the delete trash can icon - this will delete the email
Third is the mark as unread icon or the mark as read icon - it acts as a toggle between the two statuses
Below this on the row where the sender name appears is the reply button. It looks like an arrow pointing to the left - you can press this and get the reply window open from there. It is much like sending a new email all the same options apply so please see below.
How do i send a new email
How do i send a new email
Clicking the Compose icon will open up the compose window. It is this you need to use to compose and send a new email. An example of the compose window can be seen here.
To: enter the email address of the person you wish to send an email to.
From: this is the email address you are sending the email from so it will be your address.
Subject: The subject is used to describe what the content of the email.
Compose Email: this is where you go on to write the body of the message.
In addition to these there are three icons at the top right hand corner
from left to right they are:
The paperclip allows you to attach files
The Arrow > which lights up blue once you add a person in the TO is the send button.
The 3 dots is the more options in here it allows you to schedule the email to send later and save a draft.
More advanced features
More advanced features
Searching Emails
Searching Emails
The most efficient way to find emails is to use the search feature at the top of the inbox or any folder you go in to.
Entering key words in this search box filters the emails so that it only shows emails containing those key words.
Search examples
Search examples
Searching for maths will show any emails with that word in. However if you search for math it will also show math, maths and mathematics because they all contain the key word "math".
2. Searching for multiply words is possible. To search for both the words algebra equations will show any email with the work algebra and/or equations in.
If I put this in quotes "algebra equations" it will search for the words next to each other resulting in a narrower search result set aiding you to find the email you are looking for faster.
*you can string as many words together as you like
3. You can use key operators to narrow the search further - examples of these are below
From:15aatest@honywoodschool.com - searches for all emails from this email address you can also use Sent: and To:
subject:maths - searches for all emails with the subject maths and you can use the same key words above to narrow further the following work
subject:algebra equations
subject:math
before:25/5/2020 - searches all emails before the 25th May 2020
Finally it is possible to string any combination of these together, for example I could search for all emails from 15aatest sent before the 25th May containing algebra equations. To do this I would enter the following in to the search simply space each search element by a space and put quotes round terms you want to keep together like below
"algebra equations" subject:math from:15aatest@honywoodschool.com before:25/05/2020
Mastering searching in this way will make even the most elusive emails easy to find.
--- Top Tip ---
--- Top Tip ---
Searching in this way is also really useful on the internet. Putting quotes around words you wish to keep together in a Google search can narrow your search results dramatically. Searching for How to solve algebra equations may return 1000s of results as it searches for each word separately but searching for "How to solve algebra equations" will only show results where they all the words appear together therefore narrowing the search results massively.
Make labels/folders and organise emails
Make labels/folders and organise emails
Making labels/folders and organising emails is an excellent way of organising your emails. It allows you to group emails together making finding them easier later on.
How do i see the labels
How do i see the labels
Open the Gmail menu using the three horizontal bars in the top left hand corner. You will notice there is a section about halfway down the page called labels. I have put a red square around this
This list can get very long as you create more labels so please bear this in mind when looking for your labels.
How do i make labels
How do i make labels
To create a label:
First open the Gmail menu show above in the "How do I see the labels" section
Scroll to the bottom
At the bottom in the labels section you will see a "+ Create New" option just above settings it is highlighted in blue in the above section
When you press this you are prompted to type the name of the new label. Once you have named it, press done and your new label will be created.
How do I mark emails with labels
How do I mark emails with labels
To mark an email with a label first find the email you wish to mark.
Once you have opened the email you wish to mark with a label press the three little dots in the top right hand corner
Choose label.
Select the label name you wish to associate with the email.
Starred emails
Starred emails
Starred emails are emails that you have marked that need attention at a later date.
How to star an email
How to star an email
From your inbox, find the email you wish to star. To the right of the email is a star.
Click the star - it will change colour. This is now starred.
How to view all starred emails
How to view all starred emails
From your inbox, click on the three dots at the top left of the screen. This then displays a navigation list. Click on Starred and the emails you have starred will appear.
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