Get to know the basics of Google’s apps and how they can support you in your studies.
Creating Documents
For any extended piece of writing you produce during your A-Levels, whether it’s an essay, coursework or piece of homework, you’ll likely be expected to write it on a device using apps like Microsoft Word or Google Docs.
Google Docs works in your browser, so you can create and edit live documents on the go as long as you have an internet connection. You can also turn on offline access. Google Docs has lots of premade templates you can use, and you can download a Google document onto your device as a Word document or PDF.
Can be useful for: Creating simple documents like essays, reports, articles and CVs.
Find out more.
Creating Presentations
You might be asked to create a presentation for one of your A-Level subjects. If you’re doing an Extended Project Qualification you’ll deliver a presentation as part of your assessed work. Presentations are a form of assessment at university too. For support with creating presentations, take a look at our Presentation Tips.
Google Slides works in your browser, so you can create and edit live slideshows on the go as long as you have an internet connection. You can also turn on offline access. Google Slides has lots of premade templates and recommended themes you can use if you’re unsure of where to start, and you can download a presentation made in Google Slides onto your device as a PowerPoint presentation.
Can be useful for: Creating presentations.
Find out more.
Creating Spreadsheets
In certain A-Level subjects, you might be expected to interpret or create a spreadsheet. If you choose to go to university, for some degrees like Maths, Medicine or the Sciences, you’ll probably become more familiar with spreadsheets and how they work.
Google Sheets works in your browser, so you can create and edit live spreadsheets on the go as long as you have an internet connection. You can also turn on offline access. Using Google Sheets can seem complex at first as there are lots of different ways you can use it, from simply organising information to analysing data and creating graphs and tables. If you’re unsure where to start, Google has a guide to creating, editing and formatting spreadsheets on their help page.
Can be useful for: Analysing data, organising information, creating graphs and tables.
Find out more.
File Storage
It’s important to organise your files in a way that will be useful for you to come back to. Keeping track of all your different subjects and coursework will help you in the long run.
Google Drive is cloud-based storage that you can access via your browser. You can easily access your files on different devices by logging in and you can share your files with your teachers and other students. You can customise the order of your folders and change their colour too.
Can be useful for: Storing homework, coursework and revision.
Find out more.
Sending Emails
Your school or college should provide you with an email address through Outlook or Gmail. We recommend using a separate email address for personal matters as your school or college email address is only temporarily available while you’re studying there.
Your school or college email address is available for anything relating to your studies, like contacting your teachers with queries about your work. Gmail has similar features to support you with writing emails as you’ll find in Google Docs, like support with spelling and grammar. You can turn these features on in the settings. You can also link your emails up to Google Tasks where you can create task lists, and organise your inbox by creating different folders or using different labels.
Can be useful for: Contacting school or college staff.
Find out more.
Taking Notes
During your A-Levels, it’s important to take notes from your lessons and wider reading to help you prepare for future exams or coursework. If you prefer taking notes digitally, there are tools that can help you do this.
Google Keep is a simple notetaking tool that allows you to take notes on the go. Though Google Keep is more suited to short form, textual notes, you can digitally handwrite your notes, set yourself reminders and customise your notes with colours, labels and designs.
Can be useful for: Taking short notes, making lists, and organising your work.
Find out more.
Creating Forms
During your A-Levels, you might want to create a form in order to conduct a survey. This can be useful for subjects like Geography or if you’re completing an Extended Project Qualification.
You can use Google Forms to create digital forms, polls, quizzes and surveys. You can customise the font, colours and images or use a predesigned template, and if you’re working as a group you can share your results and collaborate easily. You can export your final results as a spreadsheet or as graphs that are generated automatically within the app.
Can be useful for: Creating surveys and polls for research and creating quizzes.
Find out more.
Video and Conference Calling
During your A-Levels you might find it useful to virtually meet with other students. At university or in the workplace, it’s common to join virtual meetings and events.
Google Meet allows you to voice or video call with other people, even with those who don’t have a Google account. Make sure you know how to join ahead of any meetings, and are aware of how to mute yourself and switch your camera on or off.
Can be useful for: Hosting and joining virtual meetings and events.
Find out more.
Instant Messaging
If you’re working as part of a group, instant messaging can be a useful way to stay in touch.
Google Chat allows you to chat to individuals and small groups or to collaborate in bigger groups called Spaces. You can share Google Docs, Slides and Sheets with each other and connect other apps.
Can be useful for: Working with a group, staying in touch, and studying together.
Find out more.
If your school/college doesn’t use Google, you can sign up for a free personal Google account which gives you access to its apps and up to 15GB of storage in Google Drive.
