Skills 1 and 2:
Email and Calendar

Core Skill 1: Perform basic functions of Gmail email application

Email is an essential part of our daily work life. It can also easily overwhelm us. Knowing how to effectively use Gmail can make you more productive and save you hours of time.  

How to complete the Gmail skills

Step 1

Go through the following list of skills for Gmail. A learning resource link is provided for every skill. Links will open in a new window.

• Know how to Open, send, forward, add and save attachments and delete email messages

• Every email message you send should have a professional signature. Use the Extension templates and instructions for setting up your Extension email signature

• Get familiar with professional email use and etiquette

• Set and stop a “Vacation Responder” whenever you are on vacation, sick, unavailable, etc

• Effectively use search to find email messages

• Create filters to manage your email

• Set email forwarding, if needed

Step 2 "bonus"

Check out the Extension Learning Technologies Gmail Tips to be more productive with Gmail! The tips are not in any particular order, just really useful.  

Core Skill 2: Perform basic Google Calendar operations

Just like email, managing your Extension calendar is also an essential part of our work life. With many of us working a hybrid schedule between days in the office and working remotely, it is even more important to understand how to share your schedule with your supervisor and coworkers. Did you know you can add your work location to display on your calendar? It is one of the core skills! 

The Calendar skills

Go through the following list of core skills for Google Calendar. A learning resource link is provided for every skill. 

• • Create an event, add guests, and attachments in Google Calendar

  • Add a room to an event

  • Share your calendar with others, specifically share "See all event details" with your supervisor and coworkers or even anyone at the UMN. Remember you can mark anything on your calendar as "private" so people won't see things such as a doctor appointment.

  • Set up your work hours and location to make it easy for people to schedule meetings, know your location and the hours you work

  • Add a web conferencing link (Zoom or Google Meet) to an appointment

  • Subscribe to the UMN TC Holiday Calendar: 

Looking for more calendar tips?

For calendar management tips and additional Google calendar "how-tos", view the Extension Learning Technologies Calendar Tips slide deck.