Week Four:
Google Apps on the iPad
With many companies, districts and individuals moving to the use of Google applications, it's time to take a look at the Google Apps on the iPad. Having the Google Apps accessible on the iPad allows individuals to continue working on their documents and presentations without pulling out a laptop. This is beneficial when traveling or even sitting at the mechanic waiting for you car to be repaired.
However, before we continue working with and exploring apps on our iPad, it's important to take a look at some iPad hieroglyphics. As you work with various apps, you'll notice similar icons enabling you to perform various tasks within the app. Below are some of the most common icons used within apps. Hover your mouse or tap (if you're on the iPad) the touch points in the thinglink below for a description and examples of the various icons.
However, before we continue working with and exploring apps on our iPad, it's important to take a look at some iPad hieroglyphics. As you work with various apps, you'll notice similar icons enabling you to perform various tasks within the app. Below are some of the most common icons used within apps. Hover your mouse or tap (if you're on the iPad) the touch points in the thinglink below for a description and examples of the various icons.
Gmail
When you first open the Gmail app, you will be prompted to enter your email address and password. Your account will open inside the app and look very similar to the web-based version of Gmail (what you would see on your computer). In the app, you can compose new messages, read emails you've received, move or apply specific labels to emails, delete emails, etc. You can also log into other gmail accounts that you might own. While you have a couple setting features, vacation responder and mobile signature, you are not able to create new labels, add filters, change your profile photo, and more. Everything you do in the Gmail app on your iPad will be reflected in your account when you look at your email on the computer. If you delete an email on the iPad, it has been deleted on the computer. Out of all the options for working with your Gmail account on the iPad, the app is the easiest.
Gmail App Overview
Removing accounts in the Gmail app
If you are working with students and they have shared iPads, it is important to remind them to log themselves out of their account before the next person starts using the iPad. If they don't remove their account, anyone could get on the device and respond or create emails in their name. Below on instructions for removing accounts within the Gmail app:
Google Drive
When the Google Drive first came out, you were able to view your documents and spreadsheets within the app. However, you could do no creating or editing of files or folders. Last year the Google Drive was updated in such a way that users were required to also obtain the Google Docs, Sheet and Slide apps for the purpose of viewing, editing and creating files. When you click on a document file, it will open within the Google Doc app rather directly within the Google Drive app. The same is true with Google Sheet and Slide files.
Like the Gmail app, you must sign-in with your Google account. In fact, you can sign into multiple Google Drive accounts and switch between your accounts as you work within the app. Any changes you make to your Drive on the iPad, will sync up with your web-based account.
In the Google Drive app, the plus sign allows you to upload photos and videos from your iPad. This is useful as many creation apps allow you to save completed projects into your photo app. Some of these apps include Trading Cards, PicCollage, Tellagami and Popplet. Other apps give the option to share via the 'Open in...' option, which often includes Google Drive. Some creation apps that do this are Book Creator, Strip Design and Puppet Edu. Finally, other apps like 30 Hands allows you to export your project straight into Google Drive. It is a good idea to test out the sharing options and how the file is saved into your Google Drive before sharing it with others, including students.
Like the Gmail app, you must sign-in with your Google account. In fact, you can sign into multiple Google Drive accounts and switch between your accounts as you work within the app. Any changes you make to your Drive on the iPad, will sync up with your web-based account.
In the Google Drive app, the plus sign allows you to upload photos and videos from your iPad. This is useful as many creation apps allow you to save completed projects into your photo app. Some of these apps include Trading Cards, PicCollage, Tellagami and Popplet. Other apps give the option to share via the 'Open in...' option, which often includes Google Drive. Some creation apps that do this are Book Creator, Strip Design and Puppet Edu. Finally, other apps like 30 Hands allows you to export your project straight into Google Drive. It is a good idea to test out the sharing options and how the file is saved into your Google Drive before sharing it with others, including students.
Google Drive App Overview
Drive Menu
Folder/File Information
Add New Item
Google Docs
You can choose to use Google Drive to locate your documents and open them, or you can go directly to the Google Docs app and open your file there. Once you've opened your document, you will be able to view and edit the document. You can also create new documents within the app. The app allows for some basic features like changing the font type, size and style, however, your font type options are limited. You can also add images and tables to your documents, but you do not have the ability to create and add drawings to your documents. Furthermore, you are not able to access the revision history or the add-ons within the Google Docs app. Finally, the comments feature is available in the app allowing you to provide feedback on documents shared with you by colleagues and students.
Google Doc App Overview
Google Sheets
Like Google Docs, you can choose to access your spreadsheets through the Google Drive app or the Google Sheets app. In Google Sheets, you can perform basic tasks like modifying the font, changing the number formatting, merging cells, adding borders, filling in cells with color, and wrapping text. You can also add and remove rows and columns, however, you cannot do advanced editing like adding formulas.
You will notice that there is no option to create a Google Form on the iPad. Hopefully that will change in the future.
You will notice that there is no option to create a Google Form on the iPad. Hopefully that will change in the future.
Google Sheets App Overview
Google Slides
Google Slides works just like Google Docs and Sheets. When working on a slide presentation, you can insert text, images, tables, shapes and lines. You can modify the font style, size, color and alignment. You can also show and edit the speaker notes. However, when you create a presentation, you cannot choose a template style. You are stuck with a white background until you go to the web-based version and change the background. You will also have to add transitions and animations using the web-based version.
You can play your slide presentation via the Google Slide app. If you have Reflector on your laptop or an Apple TV, you could present using your iPad, which would in turn allow you to be mobile within the room. The one drawback is you are not able to see the speaker notes or the upcoming slide like you can with the Keynote app.
You can play your slide presentation via the Google Slide app. If you have Reflector on your laptop or an Apple TV, you could present using your iPad, which would in turn allow you to be mobile within the room. The one drawback is you are not able to see the speaker notes or the upcoming slide like you can with the Keynote app.
Google Slides App Overview
Chrome Browser
After you sign into the Chrome browser with your Google account, you will have access to your bookmarks as well as any open tabs on other devices (computers, iPhone, etc.) where you are signed in with the same Google account. This is a nice feature because if you're looking at a site on your computer, you can open it on your iPad when you are on the go. While you are using Chrome, you can bookmark websites and share sites via social media, email and other apps available on your iPad.
By default, the ability to save passwords and the autofill forms are turned on in the browser settings. However, you can go in and turn these features off if you so desire. You can also change the search engine from Google to one of their choice. Furthermore, the browser settings will provide you access to clear the browser history, cache, cookies and more.
As you work with this app, you will notice that you do not have access to any of your browser extensions like Save to Drive, Pin site, and Send this link with Gmail. You will also notice when you are using a consumption app like Pinterest or Flipboard and choose to open the link with a browser, there is no way to set the default to the Chrome browser. Most apps only open in web links in Safari. To open them in Chrome, you will need to manually copy and paste the web link into the Chrome browser.
By default, the ability to save passwords and the autofill forms are turned on in the browser settings. However, you can go in and turn these features off if you so desire. You can also change the search engine from Google to one of their choice. Furthermore, the browser settings will provide you access to clear the browser history, cache, cookies and more.
As you work with this app, you will notice that you do not have access to any of your browser extensions like Save to Drive, Pin site, and Send this link with Gmail. You will also notice when you are using a consumption app like Pinterest or Flipboard and choose to open the link with a browser, there is no way to set the default to the Chrome browser. Most apps only open in web links in Safari. To open them in Chrome, you will need to manually copy and paste the web link into the Chrome browser.
Chrome Browser App Overview
Your Turn
1. If you do not already have the above Google apps on your iPad, take some time to install them. Open the apps and log in with your account(s). Use these apps throughout the week to:
2. In Google Drive, create a new folder and call it iPad Challenge. Now upload the screenshot you took in week one of the new background image on your iPad. If you have any other documents in Google Drive that you have created for the iPad challenge, move them into your new iPad Challenge folder.
3. Go to the USD 495 Tech Challenges Facebook group and tell us which of the Google apps you want to start using on a regular basis. Then respond to one of the following about the Google Apps:
4. Finally, find one new app to explore during the week. As you explore this app, think about the following questions:
1. If you do not already have the above Google apps on your iPad, take some time to install them. Open the apps and log in with your account(s). Use these apps throughout the week to:
- check and compose email
- create and edit documents, spreadsheets and slide presentations
- search the Internet
2. In Google Drive, create a new folder and call it iPad Challenge. Now upload the screenshot you took in week one of the new background image on your iPad. If you have any other documents in Google Drive that you have created for the iPad challenge, move them into your new iPad Challenge folder.
3. Go to the USD 495 Tech Challenges Facebook group and tell us which of the Google apps you want to start using on a regular basis. Then respond to one of the following about the Google Apps:
- Something new I learned was...
- I didn't know...
- The most important takeaway for me from today's challenge was...
4. Finally, find one new app to explore during the week. As you explore this app, think about the following questions:
- What does it do? What's the purpose of the app?
- Do I have another app that already does this? If so, is the new app better than the one I have?
- Is this app easy to figure out, use and navigate?
- If it is a creation app, how can share my finished product with other people?
- Is this an app I would share with teachers? If so, who? Would it be for teacher use only or for both teachers and students?
- What's the name of the app and what does it do?
- Why did you choose to explore this app?
- Was it worth keeping or did you throw it out? Why?
- Anything else you want to tell us about the app?