.new

Not new but this could improve your ninja like Google Workspace skills.

Type doc.new into the Chrome 'Omnibox' and a new Google Doc will open ready for you to start using. Type sheet.new and guess what... a new Google Sheet is created.

cal.new or meeting.new opens a new Google Calendar event.

Other terms that work →

• Docs
  • docs.new
  • doc.new
  • document.new
• Sheets
  • sheets.new
  • sheet.new
  • spreadsheet.new
• Slides
  • slides.new
  • slide.new
  • presentation.new
• Forms
  • forms.new
  • form.new
• Sites
  • site.new
• Keep
  • keep.new

Check out more → https://goo.gle/Shortcuts

New Navigation bar functions in Google Drive

From the URL bar in Google Drive, you can now quickly access key pages and functions When navigating into the Google Drive web application from the URL bar by hitting the "Tab" key, you can access buttons like "Skip to main content", "Keyboard shortcuts", and "Accessibility feedback"from the bar at the top of the page

Read more here → Google Workspace Updates - New Navigation bar functions in Google Drive

Using Padlet to collect, organise and share bookmarks

All Foundation teaching staff have access to full padlet accounts.

Padlet is super useful for collecting and organising ideas and resources. This could be done on an individual basis or working with a team of colleagues or class of students.

Installing the Padlet Mini Chrome Extension makes this process really easy. If you have a useful resource open in Chrome all you need to do is click on the extensions icon and a menu asking which of your padlets you would like to add the resource to.

Font choice to support reading

“Google publishing Lexend in August 2019 has really helped bring awareness and spread the message of [the importance of] making reading more accessible to a wider audience,” Shaver-Troup said.

An interesting read about the impact of font choice upon reading outcomes → Google Design - Clean and clear: making reading easier with Lexend [2 February 2022]

Add a co-host to a Google Meet

You can now assign co-hosts in a Google Meet.

Why would you want to do that? Maybe you are presenting to parents or a large group of students and you want somebody else to take the lead in admitting participants, muting etc. so that you can focus on what your the message you are sharing. If this is the case - you need a co-host!

Read more here → support.google.com - Add Co-hosts in Google Meet

Add a watermark to a Google Document

You can now add image watermarks directly into Google Docs. This watermark image will repeat behind the text on every page of your document.

Read more here → support.google.com - Change page settings on Google Docs

Soundtrap Academy

All staff and students in the secondary school at the International School of Geneva - Campus des Nations have access to a Soundtrap account.

Soundtrap is a very capable online application - but should also be your first stop for recording simple audio clips for classes etc.

Soundtrap offers the Soundtrap Academy where you can "learn to use Soundtrap to the fullest, empower your students, and become a Certified Soundtrap Educator."

Is it just me?

It might be...

If you are experiencing a problem with a Google Workspace application it can be worth checking the Google Workspace Status Dashboard to see if it something 'bigger than just you'.

Google makes some age related changes

Google recently launched a new age-based access setting to make it easier for domain admins to tailor experiences for their students and educators based on age when using Google services like YouTube, Photos and Maps.

Since September 1, 2021, students who are under 18 are seeing changes in their experience across Google products.

For example, after September 1, students designated as under 18 in K-12 domains can view YouTube content assigned by teachers, but they won’t be able to post videos, comment or live stream using their school Google account.

Safer learning with Google for Education [29 June 2021]

If you used to get students to create videos and add them to YouTube you should still get students to create videos - but now they should add them to their Drive and share them with you.

Read more here → Google Workspace Admin Help - Control access to Google services by age

Are you looking for a to-do list manager?

I find that a 'proper' to-do list manager really helps me to organise what I need to do and therefore reduces the stress associated with rushing or forgetting things.

My to-do list manager of choice is Todoist. It is great on the web and has a slick smartphone app as well. It integrates nicely with Gmail so that you can easily generate tasks from emails.

If you want to know more check out this post → An Educator’s Guide to Todoist.

Chrome tab management

I have (strong) opinions on font choice and the number of tabs a 'normal' person should have open in Chrome!

If you struggle with managing all your tabs you may want to read this blog post → The Ultimate Guide to Chrome Tab Management by Jonathan Wylie. Super useful.

Basic actions on multiple tabs in Google Sheets

Now you can select multiple tabs in Google Sheets and perform basic actions on the selection (such as moving the tabs together, deleting, duplicating, copying, coloring, or hiding). I just thought some of you might like to know!

Read more here → Google Workspace Updates - Select multiple tabs in Google Sheets and perform basic actions on the selection [22 July 2021]

Badging digital skills with G Suite Skills from Canopy

I have been using G Suite Skills from Canopy with a group of students during Enrichment period and I am impressed. Using Google Classroom you assign the students badges to earn, such as 'Getting started with Google Drive' or 'Next steps with Google Slides'. The students are presented with tutorials to work through. The student get 'graded' for correct completion and for their efficiency.

Students build up their badges to earn extra badges that represent a level of competence with the whole of Google Workspace. We now have a core of Year 9 students with the Gold Google Workspace badge.

So far the number of students that have experience this at Campus des Nations is limited. If you can see a way we could integrate this into some of your lessons or the work of your department, please let me know.

Free online access to the Financial Times for you and your students

The Financial Times offers free online access to Diploma students and their teachers.

As a school we are registered. Go to Secondary Schools Subscription Page - type Campus des Nations into the 'Check if your school is already registered' box, choose Campus des Nations from the 'Select your school' list and then enter your school email address. You are then emailed a link to activate the subscription. At this point you can 'log in using Google' and use your school @ecolint.ch (or @learning.ecolint.ch) account.

There are all sorts of useful links and ideas on the Free FT for schools page here.

How to create a kahoot: Step-by-step guide and extra tips for teachers

A really useful step-by-step guide to Kahoot for those who are less aware of the global quizzing phenomenon.

We have a couple of 'seats' still available as part of the school's subscription.

Using Google Jamboard in your lessons

5 ways that Google Jamboard can save your Social Studies bacon is a great read which is full of ideas. The ideas could easily be integrated beyond the 'social studies' classroom.

All educators and students at Campus des Nations have access to Jamboard - just check the 'waffle'.