Coming Soon to Google Apps for Education!

There are some exciting updates coming soon to Google Apps for Education!  Here are my favorites:

The Ability for Google Admins to Restore a User's Deleted Files
If a user accidentally deletes an important file and empties the trash, there will soon be a way to restore it!

The Ability to Edit Microsoft Office Files directly from Google Drive
Users do not even need to have Microsoft Office. On Chromebooks, there is nothing to install, it will just work. Google Apps users on PCs will need to install the "Office Editing for Docs, Sheets & Slides" extension, and it's free.

The Ability to "Suggest Edits" in a Google Document
Users with "can comment" access to a document can suggest edits, which will appear right in the document along with a comment explaining the edit. I think teachers will like this as they provide feedback on student work.

The above changes will be released first to "rapid track" domains, and then slowly to the rest of us.  It's great that updates like this happen automatically without needing to install new software. Thanks, Google!

The New Michigan Electronic Library (MeL)

The Library of Michigan just launched a new and improved Michigan eLibrary. For the next 2 weeks, you can check out the "new" MeL from this link, and after that access it from the old link. 

The look is updated with better graphics and and interface that will make it easier to find what you need. There is a search box on the homepage that allows searching multiple databases and resources without needing to go to each one. Not all the databases are included, but the main ones are. I just did a quick search with the key words "transcontinental railroad" and was amazed at all the resources that are available. This redesign will make MeL a source that teachers and students will use regularly!

One of my favorites to share with elementary teachers is Bookflix (Go to Kids > Storytime > Bookflix). 

MeL is looking for feedback on the new site. Check it out over the next couple of weeks, and send your comments to Deb Biggs Thomas or Sonya Norris.  I'm going to do that now!