Google isn't just the search engine we know and love. Google has thousands of tools and they’re growing all the time. In this lesson, get an overview of the most popular parts of the Google Tools Suite.
Most of us use Google Search almost every day. One of the reasons it’s so popular is because it’s so straightforward to use! But here’s some tips and hacks to make it even easier. You’ll probably know most of them, but some might surprise you!
- Use the tabs (i.e. Images, Maps, News, etc.) at the top of your Google Search to further refine your search.
- Use quotation marks to define exactly what you’re searching for. For example, if you’re searching for snake plants, but you don’t want to find search results for snakes or other plants, then search “snake plants”.
- Use a hyphen (minus symbol) to tell Google that you don’t want to include results within a specific category. For example, search: Rams –animal to only get information about your favourite team.
- Use a colon to have Google search for your inquiry within a specific site. This saves you time when looking for information on a single site. For example Facebook: Barack Obama.
- Use maths equations to find maths answers.
- Add a tilde (~) in front of a word when you want to search for a specific word and any synonyms for that word. If you search iPhone ~cheap, you will also get results for "iPhone inexpensive" “iPhone affordable” and so forth.
- Use .. to search for a range of numbers. You can use this trick to search for statistics or years or more.
- Keep it simple. While Google can calculate complex searches, it will be more efficient and direct when working with simple ones.
- Use additional terms gradually and only add more specific details a little at a time, to avoid missing the answer you’re looking for.
- Use words that might be on a website, rather than using your first person perspective. Try How to… instead of How do I…
- Using keywords only allows Google to really focus its results. Instead of What day does daylight savings end in New Zealand, try daylight savings end nz.
- It’s okay to misspell words! Google can usually figure out what you mean.
- If you’re not getting the results you’re looking for, think of how another person might search for it.
- Use *Search term here* filetype:pdf to find a specific file type. For example: business plan filetype:pdf
- Set up a Drive (that will be attached to your Gmail account)
- Create some folders e.g. Digital Course Practicals
- Load documents, videos or work into your Google Drive
Take a screenshot of your Google Drive and post it to your thread in the Module 5 Practicals Forum.
- Create a Google Doc and play around with the functionality.
- Create a Google Sheet and play around with the functionality.
- Create a Google Slide and (you guessed it) play around with the functionality.
- Create a Google Form, fill it out, and then create a responses sheet.
- Create a calendar appointment and invite someone to that appointment. Include meeting instructions (online meeting link or physical address) and write an agenda.
- Test the 7 Gmail productivity hacks and create at least 1 filter and screenshot and post to your thread in the Module 5 Practicals Forum.
- Set up a Google Photos account and sync your photos to it (optional).
- If you intend to use these tools regularly, download all of the tool apps onto your phone and sync so you can find everything created in these tools across all devices instantly.
Share your newly created doc, sheet, slide, form & calendar to your thread in the Module 5 Practicals Forum.
We learn better with a little encouragement and discussion. Check out the posts of other students and leave a comment on their threads too.
