Google Play for Education (GPfE)
Learn to Access & Use GPfE
What is Google Play for Education (GPfE)?
Google Play for Education (GPfE) Introduction Video
Accessing & Using GPfE
To Assign/Install an App/Resource:
1. Navigate to https://play.google.com/edu.
2. Look in the top right corner of the screen to make sure you are logged in with your "@spartanburg3" account. If you aren't logged in with that account, do so now.
3. Click "Chrome Apps" (in the menu on the left side of the screen). Please note that these apps are the only apps in the Google Play for Education store that will work on the Chromebooks.
4. A list of featured apps will appear on the main page.
5. To search for apps/resources to install, you can: A.) Use the search box located at the top of the screen. OR B.) Click on a subject area in the menu on the left side of the screen. **Note that some subject areas allow you to also sort your resources by grade level.
6. Once you find the app/resource that you'd like to install, click on the app/resource.
7. Then, click the blue "Install" button.
8. A pop-up box should appear on the screen.
9. Type in the email address of the individual student you would like to assign the app to (i.e. StudentUsername @spartanburg3.org).
10. To assign this app/resource to a whole group of students at once, you will need to create a group (see instructions below) and type in the Group Name of the group you would like to assign the app/resource to.
11. Click the blue "Install" button.
12. Click "Done".
13. Student(s) should receive the app/resource in seconds. They will be able to access the app/resource from their App Launcher. To access their App Launcher, students will need to click the magnifying glass icon on the bottom toolbar of the screen or the magnifying glass button on the keyboard.
To See Which Students Have an App/Resource Installed:
1. Click "Manage Content" (in the menu on the left side of the screen).
2. Click the "Chrome Apps" tab.
3. Click "Install" to the right of the app you're inquiring about.
4. A pop-up box will appear.
5. Click the arrow beside the statement that tells you how many students have that app installed (i.e. "2 Students Have This App") & a list of students who have the app installed will appear.
To Uninstall an App/Resource:
1. Follow Steps 1-2 above.
2. Click "Uninstall" to the right of the app you're inquiring about.
3. Select the students you would like to remove the app/resource from.
4. Click "Uninstall".
5. The app/resource will be removed from the specified student devices. **This process may take a few seconds.**
Additional Resources (Part 1):
Creating Google Groups
1. Open the Chrome browser and navigate to http://www.google.com.
2. Look in the top right corner of the screen to make sure you are logged in with your "@spartanburg3" account. If you aren't logged in with that account, do so now.
3. Click the App Launcher (looks like an array of 9 dots) in the top right corner of the screen.
4. Click the blue "Groups" icon.
5. Click the red "Create Group" button at the top of the screen.
6. Give your group a name.
7. Click the red "Create" button toward the top of the screen.
8. A pop-up box will appear letting you know that you successfully created your new group.
9. Click the blue "Okay" button.
10. Click "Manage" on the right side of the screen.
11. Click "Direct Add Members" under the "Members" tab on the left side of the screen.
12. In the "Enter Email Addresses to Add As Members" box, type in the email addresses of the people you would like to add to this group (i.e. StudentUsername @spartanburg3.org). Separate email addresses with commas.
13. Click the blue "Add" button toward the top of the screen.
14. Click the red "Groups" button in the top left corner of the screen to go back to the Groups homepage.
Additional Resources (Part 2):
GPfE Tips & Tricks
- When searching the Google Play for Education store for apps to assign, make sure the blue "Chrome Apps" tab is selected in the menu on the left side of the screen. Those are the only apps we'll have access to while using Chromebooks. The apps listed under the green "Apps" tab are only available on Android tablets.
- When searching for apps, use the yellow Google Play for Education badges to help identify the apps that are best for your classroom/students. Badge Meanings: the "EDU" badge means the app was reviewed and approved by other educators for quality, the "IN APP FREE" badge means that the app does not allow in-app purchases, the "AD FREE" badge means that the app doesn't display ads, the "REASSIGNABLE" badge means that purchased apps can be uninstalled & reassigned to another student.
- When deciding on which apps to use in your classroom, be sure to read the app ratings/reviews and/or the teacher tips listed for each app.
- A great way to get app recommendations is to join a Google+ Community such as the "Play for Education" Community or the "Chromebook Edu" Community. These groups also provide a great opportunity for educators to connect and collaborate with each other on technology integration project ideas.
This Smore Flyer was Created by Kyla T. Jeter
Email: kjeter@spartanburg3.org
Website: www.fromteacher2techie.com