Sorting out Google

This week our school is moving over to Google Apps for Education.  Many teachers have already signed up, signed in and are well on their way.  For those who haven't, please shout out if you need help.

Here are a few tips for those who are navigating their way through this phase.

1.  If you have a current gmail account that you use for personal things (youtube, blogging, email) keep it and identify it somehow as personal (a family or hobby photo)

2.  If you have a current gmail account that you never, ever use, delete it!  Trust me, it will be easier in the long run and less confusing!

3.  When setting up your school google account make sure to do the Google Plus portion and set up your profile.  By doing this we will be able to use all of the features of Google in the future.

4.  Once you've got your profile built, you can view your profile anytime by clicking on your photo in the top right hand corner from any google page, and choosing 'view profile'.  This takes you to your home newsfeed page.

4.  Now you can begin adding to your circles.  If this is your only google account you may want to add friends to a 'Friends' circle, family to a 'Family' circle, etc.  You can 'create a new circle' by clicking on the blue link 'Create new circle' at the bottom of the circle's lists and type in 'Cockle Bay' and then another one for your team or whatever other groups you need.  One person can be in multiple groups.  By sorting your contacts into groups it will help you with sending emails, links, notices, sharing information, etc.

5.  If a staff member has more than one account, for example their personal and now their school account, I would suggest you add their school account to a 'CBS' list and their personal account to your 'Friends' list (or just remove their personal account).  This will help in each of us not getting too many emails, posts, notifications, etc and will help to keep our school and personal lives somewhat separate.

I think that's a good start for now..... the possibilities are endless and there is a lot to learn... don't despair, we will get there!