Getting Started with Google Workspace

Distinctive Schools uses the Google Workspace platform (formerly G Suite) to provide a wide array of solutions for productivity (docs, sheets, slides, etc..), communications (email, chat, video call), and user account management.

To help those that are new to Google or Distinctive Schools we take the approach of building a culture of support. Meaning that you will find many of your peers and leaders embedding nuggets of wisdom and tips to help you along at all kinds of staff engagements.

For those that appeal to on-demand self-paced resources we have listed some of our top recommendations for all new employees regardless of experience so you can get acclimated to the latest and greatest coming from our education technology partner.

1. Visit the Google Workspace Learning Center
   The Learning center is filled with tons of self-paced interactive training on nearly any topic and skill level with the Google environment. Whether it be switching from Microsoft or setting up on your first day, they have something for everyone! (We highly recommend the first day setup course for all staff)
2. Subscribe to the Google Workspace Updates Blog
   The updates blog is where Google will provide news on coming or recent updates to the Google environment. Make sure to reach out to your tech staff on when and if this new feature is available.
3. Search the Help Center articles
   Our Help Center (where you are viewing this article) is filled with lots of support articles and video-based resources to help support with some of the more frequently asked questions. The link above will take you to a generic search on "Google" but you can use that search just as you might in the Google search engine. We do our best to tag articles so that commonly asked questions will pull up an accurate variety of instant help so you can keep moving!
4. When in doubt, ask a friend or submit a ticket
   As mentioned above we advocate building a culture of support and we know that technology is involved in every aspect of life. There are so many staff working through similar situations and have likely picked up quite a bit of knowledge which you will benefit from at ongoing collaboration and professional development events but don't wait until then to reach out!
5. Share out your ideas!
   Finally, if in your journey as a curious learner you find resources that would be helpful or have been helpful, let us know! We love to elevate the great work and accomplishments of our community and would love to help put a spotlight on it. So send us a thread at techsupport@distinctiveschools.org!