Google+Apps

Google Docs in Plain English, a Common Craft Video:
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Getting started with Google Apps - with a focus on Documents
**What are Google Apps?** Google provides web-based applications with functionality similar to productivity suites such as Microsoft Office or Open Office. With Google Apps you can create word **documents, spreadsheets and presentations, and more!** Anyone can open a **free, basic** **Google account** and start using Google Apps. What makes Google Apps different than traditional productivity suites is the **ability to share documents** and collaborate with others and you can ** access your files from any computer ** no matter where you are. **You can also create online forms** with Google Docs to create student interest surveys, assessments, observation forms and more!

OTHERWISE, To get started, go to docs.google.com and register for your free account! You can use any email address to create a Google account: it does not have to be a Gmail address. ||< Once you have an account, all you have to do to access any of Google's web applications is go to www.google.com. If you don't see "Documents" in the top menu, select "More" and then "Documents" from the drop down list. **If your school has an organizational**
 * **If you use Gmail,** you already have access Google Docs.
 * school-wide account you will get a login to access the apps**
 * that are enabled for your school.** ||
 * [[image:getStarted.jpg width="301" height="296" caption="get started with Google Docs"]] || [[image:more.jpg width="379" height="303" caption="more items"]] ||

**Learn More: View the presentation files for basic Google Apps with a focus on Documents here or full screen at:**
@https://docs.google.com/present/view?id=dfsn97zn_452gh76wgdt&interval=10

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View the presentation files for Google Forms here or full screen at:
@https://docs.google.com/present/view?id=dfsn97zn_484xbrthgn&interval=10

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Some useful links:
6 Tips to help you get the most out of Google Docs: @http://sixrevisions.com/project-management/6-tips-to-help-you-get-the-most-out-of-google-docs/

Google Apps Learning Center: @http://www.google.com/support/a/users/

Free Google Apps for Schools: @http://www.google.com/a/help/intl/en/edu/index.html