Google Apps For Education

Google Chrome

Chrome is the free browser created by Google. When using any of the Google Apps, use the Chrome Browser, since the apps maintain 100% of their functionality in Chrome (in some other browsers, you lose features). In addition, Chrome has consistently been rated as the fastest web browser.

For more information, check out the tour of Chrome Browser Features.

Extensions are extra features and functionality that you can easily add to Google Chrome. By using extensions, you can customize Google Chrome with features you like, while keeping your browser free of things that you don't use.

Check out the video below or go to the Chrome Web Store to find interesting extensions. Once you find something you like, install it to try it out.

Google Classroom

Probably the most widely-used platform in Lawrence Middle School. Google Classroom is where your student will go to view their upcoming assignments, locate important materials, and easily correspond with their teacher. Click the image to be taken to a helpful FAQ Google Classroom page just for parents.

Google Mail (Gmail)

All employees and students (grades 6-12) are issued a Google email account within our ltps.info domain. Your email account also gets you access to all of the Google Apps for Education (Drive, Docs, Sheets, Forms, Slides, Calendar, etc).

For more information, check out the Gmail Help Center or AnsonAlex.com for a great 9-part tutorial on using Gmail.

Google Calendar

Five reasons to use Google Calendar

• Get your calendar on the go - Access your calendar when you're away from your desk with two-way syncing to your phone or tablet. You can use a mobile version of Google Calendar made for small screens or a calendar built in to your phone. Learn how to sync your calendar with a mobile device.

• Never forget another assignment - Stay on schedule using reminders. You can choose to be notified by email or receive text messages directly to your mobile phone. Learn about reminders and notifications.

• Sync with your desktop applications - If you use Apple iCal or Mozilla Sunbird, you can sync Google Calendar with these desktop applications.

• Work offline - Know where you’re supposed to be even when you don’t have Internet access. With offline access, you can check your calendar wherever you are.

• Best of all, IT'S FREE!!!

Check out Anson Alexander's fantastic 5-part tutorial on Google Calendar at AnsonAlex.com

Google Drive

You can store and access your files anywhere with Google Drive — on the web, on your hard drive, or on the go. Use Google Drive on the web to store and organize all your files. With your ltps.info account, you get UNLIMITED free storage across Google Drive, Gmail, and Google+ Photos.

With Google Drive on the web, you can:

• Create, add, or upload a file with a single button.

• Easily find and add shared files.

• Single-click a file to select it and double-click to open it.

• Drag and drop files and folders, just like you do on your desktop.

• Share files with others and choose what they can do with them: view, comment, or edit.

• Access your files even when you’re not connected to the Internet.

Google Docs

Teachers typically use Google Docs as opposed to other writing software such as Microsoft Word. The reason for this is because Google Docs allows for teachers to view documents while students work on them, in addition to letting students work collaboratively with others on one shared document. If your student ever has difficulty viewing a document that is shared with them, they must make sure they are logged into their @ltps.info email. Otherwise, email your student's teacher, or instruct your student to email their teacher directly, if there are any problems accessing a shared document.

Google Forms

Google Forms is a tool from Google that allows you to do the following:

• Create forms, surveys, quizzes, and such

• Share the forms with others

• Allow others to complete the forms online

• Collect all the responses in a spreadsheet

• Provide you with helpful summaries of the collected data with charts and graphs

Google Sheets

Google Sheets is an online spreadsheet app that lets you create and format spreadsheets and simultaneously work with other people. Here's what you can do with Google Sheets:

• Import and convert Excel, .csv, .txt and .ods formatted data to a Google spreadsheet

• Export Excel, .csv, .txt and .ods formatted data, as well as PDF and HTML files

• Use formula editing to perform calculations on your data, and use formatting make it look the way you'd like

• Chat in real time with others who are editing your spreadsheet

• Create charts with your data

• Embed a spreadsheet — or individual sheets of your spreadsheet — on your blog or website

For more information about Google spreadsheets, check out the Google Sheets getting started guide.

Google Sites

Google Sites is the easiest way to make information accessible to people who need quick, up-to-date access. People can work together on a Site to add file attachments, information from other Google applications (like Google Docs, Google Calendar, YouTube and Picasa), and new free-form content. Creating a site together is as easy as editing a document, and you always control who has access, whether it's just yourself, your team, or your whole organization. You can even publish Sites to the world. The Google Sites web application is accessible from any internet connected computer.

For more information about Google Sites, check out the Google Sites Help Center and Getting Started with Google Sites.

Google Slides

Google Slides is an online presentations app that allows you to show off your work in a visual way. Here's what you can do with Google Slides:

• Create and edit presentations

• Edit a presentation with friends or coworkers, and share it with others effortlessly

• Import .pptx and .pps files and convert them to Google presentations

• Download your presentations as a .pdf, .ppt, .svg, .jpg, or .txt file

• Insert images and videos into your presentation

• Publish and embed your presentations in a website

For more information about Google presentations, check out the Google Slides getting started guide