Using Gaggle Email, Blogs, and Digital Lockers

Gaggle Blogs and Digital Lockers
…And other details!
GPISD Instructional Media Specialist Denise Wallace

Welcome!

Be sure to sign in
If you are a walk-in, you are responsible for credit
Please “silence” cell phones and take any calls into the hall
Check email / Internet during the breaks
Be sure to get all handouts before leaving

Logging into Gaggle.Net
OPEN https://gaggle.net/
Best used with Firefox or Google Chrome (not IE)
ENTER your Gaggle email address
denise.wallace@gpisd.gaggle.net
Notice that the default extension@gpisd.GAGGLE.netmay not always be correct. You may need to select“Click here if your email ends in something different”
DEFAULT Teacher Password: GPISD2009, GPISD 2010, or GPISD2011
DEFAULT Student Password: 6 digit id number
Record your login information
A “cheat sheet” for TEACHERS and STUDENTS is provided on the next slide…
For help or troubleshooting on your campus, contact your “Instructional Media Specialist.”

Teacher LOGIN to Gaggle

Best used with Firefox or Google ChromeType: gaggle.net in the URL address box (press ENTER)
Email: ______________________________ @gpisd.gaggle.net
No Spaces First Name (dot.) Last Name
Sample Email james.brown@gpisd.gaggle.net

Password: GPISD 2010 or GPISD 2009 Click Accept

You are now asked to create a new password
Write your NEW Password here: _____________________________
Type in your newpassword TWICE.
Fill Out (or) SkipOutside email address
Click Save.

Student LOGIN to Gaggle

Best used with Firefox or Google ChromeType: gaggle.net in the URL address box (press ENTER)
Email: ________________ __ __ __ __ __ __ @gpisd.gaggle.net
No Spaces Last Name 6 digit ID
Sample Email brown123456@gpisd.gaggle.net

Password: __ __ __ __ __ __ 6 digit I.D. Click Accept
(same number that is in your email)

You are now asked to create a new password
Write your NEW Password here: _____________________________
Type in your newpassword TWICE.
SkipOutside email address
Click Save.

Training Videos
HOME PAGE – after logging in you are taken to the home page
The left panel has 5 major headings (in blue) to navigate GAGGLE
Mail
My Classes (NEW)
Applications
Portal Links
District Admin… We’ll start here with training videos
Click on TRAINING VIDEOS. You will be redirected to an outside window forVIDEO TOPICS. We’ll view the BLOGS SETTINGS and later DIGITAL LOCKER BASICS
Take the time to view these helpful tutorials.

Quick overview of Mail and Contacts
Inbox and Contacts Directory is under MAIL in the left navigation bar
The + sign next CONTACTS reveals a pull down list for DIRECTORY, FRIENDS, and GROUPS. Click DIRECTORY to load all the users in the district.
The drop down box in the upper left lets you choose the school of your choice to search students and teachers. Type the name to search in the search box (next to ‘select all’)
‘View all users’ lets you select how you want to search… students only, teachers only, graduation year, etc.
To view blogs, look at the far left of the directory and see if a blog link has been created for that user.

Changing Passwords in User List
Select STUDENT ADMIN (or DISTRICT ADMIN) at the bottom in the navigation bar.
Under FUNCTIONS, select USER LIST
Select the correct school if you have administrative access. If you have teacher access, you should only have access to your campus.
Select the user that needs a password change and at the bottom of the page input a generic password in the TEMPORARY PASSWORD box.
In the FORCE PASSWORD CHANGE box, LEAVE AS IS.
Click SAVE (which is located about ½ way on the left of the page.
Now, when the user logs into gaggle, s/he will input the new assigned password and be able to create their own password.

Introduction to Gaggle Blog
What is blogging? It is simply an online journal OR Weblog.
Gaggle blogs are a safe site for blogging because the teachers are in control. They can decide access levels and whether to restrict students to the class, school, district, or to the outside world. Teachers can also approve comments before they are posted and monitor names/pictures.
Some uses for student/teacher blogging:Writing Prompts Novel Units Current Events Further Links Literature Reviews Informational Research Projects Homework Assign.

Getting Started with Gaggle Blogs
Select MY BLOG under APPLICATIONS. Blogs has a new look this year and is easier to use!
BLOG CONTROLS is in right margin – there are 4 settings to choose from:
New Post – Create a new post within the accessed blog
Edit Blog Settings – choose how your blog looks
Advanced Settings lets you set the permission levels
Create New Blog – click here to get started and name your blog
Blog Lookup – search for other blogs by email
My Blogs and About This Blog are in left margin:
A list of your blogs
Information or picture images can describe your Blog (through “Edit Blog Settings.”)

Viewing and Restricting Blog Access
View other BLOGS in Gaggle – Through the contacts folder in the directory (under MAIL), there are 3 links next to each person’s name: Calendar, Profile and BLOG.
To view users, access MAIL, click the + by CONTACTS and then select DIRECTORY. Wait for the roster to load before searching
Remember, the DIRECTORY is sorted by campus
Organize certain classes or groups under MY GROUPS
If users have made their blogs accessible to “all viewers” youcan click and view their blogs!
To set restrictions, Go to “My Blog” and choose EDIT BLOG SETTINGS at the top right of screen. Then choose ADVANCED SETTINGS in the middle of the screen to select the differing access levels.

Now it’s your turn to Practice…
Make sure you know how to log in
Play around with the interface and get familiar with the features of Gaggle that we discussed
Create a BLOG and make it accessible to the DISTRICT during this class so we can view and comment.
Share ideas on how you might use your blog with your students or staff.

Getting Started with Digital Lockers
DIGITAL LOCKERS is also accessed under APPLICATIONS
Your Digital Locker is simply an online file storage system that allows you to upload DOCUMENTS, IMAGES, and FOLDERS into your Gaggle account.
Or you can create and store files through ZOHO Documents (partnered within Gaggle).
This eliminates the need to save files to a jump drive and reduces the risk of viruses.
Digital Lockers works in conjunction with Homework Drop Boxes which are created to work together.
Teachers can store class notes, permission slips, school information, etc. and add them to email attachments as needed.
GPISD has the subscription level that allows 200 megabytes for storage space.

Viewing and Restricting Digital Locker Access
To UPLOAD A FILE into Digital Locker CLICK “Add File” in the upper toolbar.
After you upload a file, you can move it to any folder by dragging and dropping.
To create a NEW FOLDER, click on the yellow folder icon, also in the upper toolbar. If you hover your mouse over this symbol, it says, “add folder.” When prompted, name your folder and click ENTER. You can now drag and drop into this folder.
Digital Locker Filters are setup under SCHOOL SETUP and most campuses are using NORMAL SETTINGS. Uploaded files are caught by Filters but still upload to student lockers. A notification emailis sent to the campus administrator with any questionable content.

Sharing Digital Locker Files
When in Digital Locker you will notice there is a SHARING column. Anything that is NOT SHAREDcan be delivered to any user.
Click NOT SHARED and choose an email from the screen provided. (Remember that contacts are sorted by campus.) DOUBLE CLICK on the desired name OR click the TO: button to populate the field BEFORE selecting another campus to choose from. Click OK at the bottom.
Now you are taken to the INVITE AND SEND box where you can add a personal message if desired. Be sure to indicate if they are able to VIEW or EDIT the attachment.
At any time you can go back to your Digital Locker and access the SHARING link to modify or delete any user’s access.

Now it’s your turn to Practice…
Access your Digital Locker and practice uploading a file and creating a folder.
Share a file with someone in the room and see if you can modify their access.
Share ideas on how you might use your digital with your students or staff.

Useful Tips…
COPYRIGHT LAWS…http://www.gpisd.org
DepartmentsLibrary Media ServicesCopyright Laws
Instructional Technology Help Page…
http://gpisdtechhelp.pbworks.com/w/page/6413893/GPISD-TECH-HELP
(PBWiki Link with useful GPISD tips)
Departments
Technology
Instructional Media
Technology Help

Completion of Course
TECHNOLOGY EVALUATION LINKS (the star icon) are now available on your computer desktop. Please complete before leaving today.
Please feel free to contact me…
denise.wallace@gpisd.org
Powell Elementary 972-522-6900
Reagan Middle School 972-522-7300
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Using Gaggle Email, Blogs, and Digital Lockers

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