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Google Workspace

Google Workspace is a suite of cloud computing, productivity and collaboration applications for use by Ontario Tech University faculty, staff, students, and alumni. Below are some examples of how these tools can be used in an educational setting:

  • Use Google Meet for online synchronous (live) lectures, tutorials, or office hours
  • Share a collaborative Google Doc with students and allow them to make edits
  • Use live Q&A in Google Slides to poll the class about a topic
  • Create quizzes and surveys with Google Forms 

Google Meet

Google Meet is an online video conferencing tool included in Google Workspace. Google Meet takes the headaches out of joining a video call in a classroom or workplace setting. Just set up a meeting and share a link. No worrying about whether students have the right accounts or plug-ins.

Google Meet Features 

  • 250 Participants per Google Meet 
  • Live stream up to 100,000 users
  • Record Meet sessions to Google Drive
  • Support on the Web, iOS and Android

Google Meet Instructor Resources

These resources have been curated to support instructors in the transition to online courses.

Updated Google Meet Features

  • Captioning Google Meetings - While autocaptions can be generated during a meeting this information will not be included when the meeting is recorded. Therefore, you can use this Reference Guide to enable captioning on meeting recordings to increase accessibility. 
  • End Meeting for All - Google has instated a new feature that enables hosts to "leave meeting" or "end meeting for all." This new security feature can be explored in this PDF Quick Reference Guide or you can find more information on the ITS Website. 
  • A ‘Quick access’ toggle in Host Controls – with ‘Quick access’ turned off, all meeting attendees must access to join the Google Meet in order to be admitted by the host. ‘Quick access’ is on by default but can be adjusted in the Host Controls section of your Google Meet. Locate the shield icon near the bottom left of your Google Meet to access Host Controls.
  • The ability to blur your background – learn more at the Blur Your Background in Google Meet Google Meet Help page. Please consult the Google Help page for information regarding the possible slowing down of your device with this feature, along with technical requirements.
  • 49 tile view – learn more at the How to View People in Google Meet Google Meet Help page. Note: if the grid view extension is used, it is advised to uninstall this extension. With slower Internet connections, it is recommended to reduce the number of tiles in your view.
  • Jamboard integration – learn more at the Use a whiteboard in Google Meet Google Meet Help page.
  • Breakout rooms – breakout rooms can be created within the Activities tab. Note: Students must be logged in with their OntarioTechu.Net accounts to be added to breakout rooms. Breakout room enrollment cannot be set up in advance, and breakout room enrollment will not be saved between Google Meet sessions.

More information on these and other updates are available on the Ontario Tech Information Technology Services' Google Meet - Recent Updates page. 

Last updated: 4/1/2021

Other Tools Available in Google Workspace

  • Calendar: Integrated with Gmail and interoperable with popular calendar applications.
  • Docs: Collaborative documents with editing and styling features that are similar to Microsoft Word
  • Drive: Storage, file management, and collaborative permissions
  • Forms: Data collection, surveys, and quizzes
  • Email: ontariotechu.net email with tools for tracking conversations, contacts, and tasks
  • Sheets: Collaborative spreadsheets that allow you to visualize and analyze data in ways similar to Microsoft Excel
  • Sites: Create and publish your own websites
  • Slides: Collaborative presentation slides with real-time Q&A with editing and styling features that are similar to Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Studio: Create dynamic reports using a multitude of data sources. 

Help and Support

For support in using Google Workspace for teaching purposes, email the TLC at teachingandlearning@ontariotechu.ca.

For technical support, including login and password issues, contact the IT Service Desk.