Get Going with Google
5 mins read

Get Going with Google

With many tasks happening virtually, learning about Google Suite is a great skill set to add to your toolbox (and resume). Beginning, January 5, Plano Public Library is hosting a series of Google Suite workshops on Wednesdays at 1pm via Zoom. Create a Google account (free) or sign in to your account to follow along with the class. You can find handouts for each class online here. These classes will be live with staff available to answer questions, and will be recorded and available on the library’s YouTube channel.

January 5: Google Drive

Learn how to use Google Drive to create, organize, and access your files on the go. Register here.

January 12: Google Docs

Learn the basics of Google Docs for collaboration and editing needs. Register here.

January 19: Google Forms

Learn how to use Google Forms to collect and manage data for personal and professional use. Register here.

January 26: Google Sheets

Learn the basics of Google Sheets for collaboration and data management. Register here.

February 2: Google Slides

Learn the basics of Google’s free presentation app. Register here.

Continue reading for additional library resources to help you learn more about Google Suite.

Previously Recorded Google Suite Workshops

We have taught a few Google Suite classes since 2020, and you can find recordings on the library’s YouTube channel:

Additional Training

LinkedIn Learning, free with your Plano Public Library card, is a great resource to learn new skills, including Google Suite. Learn more about accessing LinkedIn Learning here. Below are a few trainings we recommend:

Google Docs Essential Training – Take a closer look at Google Docs and discover how to build and share documents with rich formatting, images, and tables. In this course, Jess Stratton shows how to get around the web-based interface, create new documents, and add features such as footnotes, headers and footers, and page numbering. You can also see how to make your documents more engaging by adding images, Google drawing objects, and tables. Then learn how to share docs with others—for real-time, simultaneous collaboration—and take your docs on the go with the Google Docs app for mobile devices.

Google Sheets Essential Training – Learn how to organize and analyze data in Sheets, the popular spreadsheet tool from Google. Instructor Sally Norred starts with a tour of the Sheets interface, then shows how to enter and work with data. Sally demonstrates the formatting and formula/function features, shows off the collaboration tools in Sheets, and provides smart ways to make your data work for you. Whether you’re new to spreadsheets or you’re a longtime Excel user looking for ways to share and collaborate, this web-based spreadsheet offering from Google may be just the app for you.

Google Drive Essential Training – Learn how to work smarter with Google Drive. In this course, Jess Stratton explains how to get started with this popular cloud-based file storage and word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation software. Jess explains how Google Drive fits into the productivity suite from Google and shows how to navigate the interface. She goes into the differences between Drive and Docs, and shares how to organize, sync, and locate your Drive files. She also demonstrates how to create and edit documents, spreadsheets, presentation slides, and drawings. Plus, Jess explores how to share your files and leverage the mobile app.

Google Forms Essential Training – Google Forms is the free, easy, and fun way to collect data online. In this course, LinkedIn Learning staff instructor Jess Stratton shows you everything you need to know to create surveys and collect responses with Google Forms. Jess walks you through the process of building forms, including how to design your form, add questions, and insert images and videos, as well as leveraging the built-in templates. Next, Jess shows how to work with your survey responses, including customizing response settings, sending the form to recipients, viewing and analyzing response data, and closing out the form for future responses. Finally, learn how to take your forms further by applying filters and charts, analyzing data in Excel, and embedding forms on webpages.

Google Slides Essential Training – Learn how to create high-impact presentations with Google Slides. Follow along with staff instructor Jess Stratton as she shows how to plan and build a presentation. Jess shows how to get started with a template or create a new slideshow from scratch. She covers adding and formatting text, working with images and shapes, and inserting video, diagrams, and charts. She also shows how to increase engagement with animation, collaborate with others in real time, download slides to your desktop, and use Presenter view to run the show.

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