Advanced Tips and Practices

Click the link for Advanced Tips and Best Practices for Email, Calendar and Docs (must be signed into Google@CPS to view).

Tip: Set up Google Drive

1. When you first log into Google@CPS, you'll see the word "Documents" in the black bar atop the screen. Click it.
   
2. A new window will open up and you'll see a big blue button that says "Get started with 5GB free". Click it. (Note that this 5GB is separate from your 25GB mailbox! Also, documents created in Google Drive do not count against your 5GB.)
   
3. Once inside Drive, click "Download and install Google Drive". This will create a syncing folder on your computer. This is handy because you can now drop files into this folder on your desktop, and they will automatically sync to Google Drive (just like Dropbox). Generally, since these files are Word, Excel, PDF, etc., they will take up part of your 5GB (unless you opt to convert them to Google Docs).
   
4. Now, when you go to the black bar at the top, you will see "Drive" not "Documents".
   
5. Start creating, sharing and collaborating!

You Asked: Yes or No

Sometimes all you want is a simple yes or no answer. This one's for you...


Will we have access to Google@CPS before the start of school? YES
Will training be available over the summer? YES
Will there be online training options? YES

Will my FirstClass email, calendar, and documents get moved over to Google@CPS? NO
Will you tell me how to move my data over? YES
How? On this website? YES
Will I have enough time to move the data? YES
Through September? YES

When we switch, will mail still go to FirstClass and Outlook? NO
Only to Google@CPS? YES

Will there be an icon on my desktop for Google@CPS? YES
Is it the colorful square icon? YES
And that will take me to the new login screen? YES

What if I use Outlook, will my email, calendar and contacts get moved over? YES
I heard that my rules, filters and delegations will not get moved over. Is that true? YES

If I continue to use Outlook, will I run into issues with mail delivery, notifications and calendar invitations/events? YES
So, I should stop using Outlook and only use the Google@CPS interface? YES

Can I access Google@CPS from home? YES
On my smartphone? YES
From a hotel in Singapore? YES
From an airplane that offers Internet access? YES
Will you tell me how to set up my smartphone? YES

If I have a personal Google account that uses the @cps.edu address, will I be able to keep it? NO
I’ll have to change it? YES
You’ll provide instructions? YES

Will I be able to create Groups for my classrooms? YES
Will I be able to collaborate on Google Doc with other CPS users? YES
Will I be able to collaborate on Google Docs with outsiders? NO

If I’m a teacher, will I be able to create Sites? YES

Will you answer all of my questions if I submit them through the Contact Us link? YES

CPS Teacher Talks about Google Docs and Assessments

Jennie Magiera is a 4th-5th grade math teacher and a Math/Technology Coach in Chicago Public Schools. She's also a Golden Apple Teacher of Distinction,  an Apple Distinguished Educator, and in January she was named the Chicago Public School's Tech Innovator of the Year.


Read Jennie's blog entry: A Homework Machine for Teachers: More on Assessment with Google Docs.


Below is the accompanying video. Thanks, Jennie!

Access your files from anywhere!

Check out this video and think of the possibilities for your classroom!


GOOGLE - APPS from kenshin223 on Vimeo.

Teachers and Principals talk about Google Docs