Google Apps for Education just keep getting better…

Google recently announced a new feature in Google Docs and Sheets called “Add-ons.” This post focuses specifically on Add-ons with Google Docs. With Add-ons, which can be found between the Table and Help menus, users are now able to add a whole assortment of organization, productivity, and educational tools. If you haven’t noticed it already (Google makes it tough for you not to) the next time you open a doc, you will see a new Add-ons menu with the word “new” in red directly above it. Click on Add-ons and then click “Get Add-ons.” After that, you are ready to start using these powerful new tools!

Below is a video tutorial on how to get started using Add-ons in Google Docs. The tutorial focuses on EasyBib, since all BHS students are required to write research papers for a variety of their courses and must cite their sources in a properly formatted bibliography. The EasyBib Add-on allows students to select either MLA, APA, or Chicago Style citations for their works cited list. Citations are then automatically formatted on the last page of the doc. In the video below I also show you how you can remove an Add-on if you try it out and then decide it’s not a tool you are going to use.

GOOGLE ADD-ONS FOR USE IN EDUCATION

Google has introduced 34 Add-ons so far, but has plans to roll out more. Add-ons are divided into five categories including:

1. Business Tools- 

Hello Fax- send and receive faxes online
Merge by Mail Chimp– send email directly from a Google Doc to email addresses stored in a Google Sheet
PandaDoc– allows you to add a legally binding electronic signature in a Google Doc
WorkFlows-allows you to easily automate your document workflows
SeamlessDocs– complete and eSign your docs or request signatures
Supermetrics– Turn your Google Docs into a business reporting system for web analytics, social media and online marketing.

2. Education

Kaizena Shortcut– compatible with teacher workflow tools like Doctupous- with Kaizena you can give students audio feedback!
Easy Bib- automatic bibliography and citation generator now in Google Docs
TextHelp Study Skills -selects, highlights and groups content together for review and learning

3. Productivity 

MindMeister- turns any bullet-point list into a visually appealing mind map and inserts it into your Google Doc
Table of Contents- automatically creates table of contents in the sidebar-great for longer, multi-page reports and documents
Gliffy- creates professional-looking diagrams quickly and easily in Google Docs. Draw flowcharts, wireframes, UML, ERD and more

4. Social & Communication (Well suited for an educational environment & teacher/student group work)

Uberconference– quickly creates a conference all for all document viewers
Messenger- discuss and see changes to your documents
Twitter Curator– find and collect Tweets right inside your Google docs
Social Drop- connect your docs to social media

5. Utilities

Translate– translate text in your docs
Easy Header and Footer – import headers and footers from other docs
Maps for docs- this add-on will let you insert a map into your open doc

The best part about the new Add-ons feature is how easy it is to use. The video tutorial below walks you through how to start using Add-ons in Docs.

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We will continue to provide step-by-step tutorials on how to make the most out of Google Add-ons so that you can continue to develop a paperless classroom. Please feel free to come to the Help Desk, periods 1, 3, 4, 6, or 7. If you prefer, we can come to your classroom for hands-on demonstrations or assistance.