First Steps After Going Google

As we begin our new school year you will notice a few big changes.  We now have Google Apps for Education (GAFE).  One of the biggest changes is that we are no longer using Groupwise for our emails, we have switched over to Gmail.  

Your email address didn't change, it is still your first initial, last name, @seq.org.  (A few people's emails which had their last names truncated did change so that your email includes your entire last name.)

You will also have a new Google calendar, Google Drive account, and much more.  The district has subscribed to Synergyse, and online tutorial service that will help you navigate through Gmail, Calendar, Drive, Sites, Docs, Sheets and Slides.  

In order for you to see the Synergyse Training, you must be signed in to your Chrome Browser (not just Gmail or another Google tool).

Here are instructions to sign in to the Chrome Browser:

Do you have multiple Google accounts?  You can also create multiple users, where you don't need to keep signing in and out of each account.  Here are instructions on how to add multiple users to Chrome.

Now, when you are logged in to the Chrome Browser, you will see the Synergyse Training link at the top of your page.  There is a long list of "how to's" that Synergyse will walk you through in the main Google Apps.

If for some reason you don't see the Synergyse Training icon on the top of your Gmail, Drive, Calendar, Sites, etc. follow these steps:

• Make sure you are using Chrome.
• Sign in to Chrome.
• If that didn't work, click on this link.
• You should now see Synergyse at the top of your Gmail, Drive, Calendar, etc.

- Melissa

Welcome Back!

There are a lot of big changes in Sequoia Union High School District this school year.  Our district is fully adopting Google Apps for Education, which means our email and calendar clients have changed.  And we (and our students) now have access to some pretty amazing Google tools. We are also adopting a new grade book and communication management system, School Loop.  And don't forget, we will be continuing our work on integrating the Common Core State Standards into our curriculum, and begin to integrate the technology pieces of those standards.

Our world is changing rapidly.  Our students are growing up in an age where there are constant new advancements in technology.  We need to prepare them for this world by integrating technology into our classrooms and curriculum.

In order to feel comfortable guiding our students as they use technology to enhance their learning, we will need some training and support.  Each week I will post a tech tip, tool, or an example of a classroom use of technology.  I will also try to highlight some of the amazing things our innovative and dedicated educators in this district are doing with their students.  If you have a tech tip or lesson to share, please let me know.  I would love for you to contribute to this blog.

- Melissa