TIPS for searching and using Gmail
Google never ceases to amaze me. I have been a Google user for at least 5 years and Google is always changing - adding new tools, updating its look, and staying a step ahead of everything else. Despite the continual transformation of Google, it is never difficult to use! This week I learned so much about refining my Google searching experience and keeping my Gmail account organized. Below are some tips and tricks I learned:
Tips for Searching with Google
#1: Translate
- Google makes translating a word or phrase SO simple. All you have to do is go to Google Translate here. Choose the language of origin for the word/phrase (or let it auto detect the language), then choose the language you want it to be translated into, hit enter and BOOM! That's it! Obviously, it won't be perfect. If you are in a pinch, this will definitely suffice!
#2: Calculate
- Have a tough math problem you need solved? Don't have a calculator handy? Have no fear, Google Calculator is here! Insert your problem and hit the "=" sign and that's it!
#3: Research with Google Books
- Have you ever needed to find a good book for research or just to read? Well Google Books is an excellent and easy tool to use when searching for the perfect piece of literature. Go to Google books here and type in a topic of your choice. If I searched "World War II" it would bring up a list of books related to this topic. I could select a book of interest and actually preview parts of the book. If I were researching I could use small excerpts from the text and easily create a citation. I can add books to my library that I might want to purchase. I could also share a shelf in my library with students - that way they could see a specific list of suggested reading material on a given topic!
Check out this tutorial on using Google Books in Education
#4: You can use Google Custom Search to create your own search database!
If you are going to have your students do some research in your class create your own search database for them to work with. This is such an amazing tool because it alleviates the problem of students using Wiki's, personal blogs, untrusted .com's and more. Instead of just having them type their topic into the Google search bar, you can actually embed your customized search onto your teacher blog/website! When they type in a topic, they should bring up the website that you added to your custom search. How cool is that?!
Check out my custom search on Genetics!
Tips for upgrading your Gmail experience
#1: Gmail Tabs
Get your Gmail emails organized NOW! I can tell you that I am not someone who filters through my emails multiple times a day. This can be troublesome because now I have a TON of emails that are clogging up my inbox and it is very difficult to find a specific email that I want to read. My Gmail experience was totally changed when I realized that it has a feature called "tabs" which automatically sorts your emails into different categories such as: social groups, promotions, your primary email, and forums. If I am out shopping and I want to find that email from BeautyBrands that had the 20% off coupon, all I have to do is click the "promotions" tab and I can see all of the emails I receive with promotions. It makes it so much quicker and easier to find what I'm looking for! Follow the link here to find out more about enabling Gmail Tabs.
#2: Preview your Emails
I have been used to my Outlook setup for work and the ability to preview my emails while still viewing a list of emails in my inbox. When I started my Gmail account it didn't have quite the same look. This week I learned how to enable the "preview" feature on my Gmail! It is quite simple and it makes my email viewing experience much easier (for me that is). To add this feature to your Gmail, check out the instructions below (courtesy of About Tech.com):
Get your Gmail emails organized NOW! I can tell you that I am not someone who filters through my emails multiple times a day. This can be troublesome because now I have a TON of emails that are clogging up my inbox and it is very difficult to find a specific email that I want to read. My Gmail experience was totally changed when I realized that it has a feature called "tabs" which automatically sorts your emails into different categories such as: social groups, promotions, your primary email, and forums. If I am out shopping and I want to find that email from BeautyBrands that had the 20% off coupon, all I have to do is click the "promotions" tab and I can see all of the emails I receive with promotions. It makes it so much quicker and easier to find what I'm looking for! Follow the link here to find out more about enabling Gmail Tabs.
#2: Preview your Emails
I have been used to my Outlook setup for work and the ability to preview my emails while still viewing a list of emails in my inbox. When I started my Gmail account it didn't have quite the same look. This week I learned how to enable the "preview" feature on my Gmail! It is quite simple and it makes my email viewing experience much easier (for me that is). To add this feature to your Gmail, check out the instructions below (courtesy of About Tech.com):
1. Click the "Settings" gear in Gmail.
2. Select "Settings" from the menu that appears.
3. Go to the "Labs" category.
4. Type "preview pane" under Search for a lab:
5. Make sure "Enable" is selected under "Preview Pane."
6. Click "Save Changes."
Hopefully these tips and tricks help you streamline your Google searching and Gmail experiences. They have certainly done that for me! Stay tuned for more amazing information about Google!
Mrs. Adkins
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