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Software for school

Microsoft and Google have made learning easier!

Learning, note-taking, and education have become facilitated by modern technology, cloud-based software, and web applications. Explore more.

Overview

Definitions

Cloud-based computing or Cloud storage: Cloud-based computing allows a user to access files and data that are stored on a cloud server. This makes it possible to access these files from a computer, with an Internet connection, anywhere in the world. This is the opposite of on-premises computing where a user can only access files on an individual device in one location.

Browser-based: Contrary to desktop-based applications, browser-based apps can be used anywhere in the world on a device that has access to the Internet and to an Internet browser. For example, Word for the web is a browser-based application, whereas Microsoft Word is a desktop application. Browser-based applications provide the user with the flexibility to work on the same document at home, at a café, and on the go.

Register for School Softwares

How to register for Office 365

Office 365 is the Microsoft cloud-based productivity platform. This gives you access to several Microsoft applications such as:

  • Microsoft Word
  • Microsoft Powerpoint
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft One Drive
  • Microsoft OneNote
  • And more!

In order to access Office 365, you can signup for free at the following link:  

https://www.microsoft.com/en-ca/microsoft-365/free-office-online-for-the-web 

Explore Google Applications

Gmail (start here)

Gmail is a free email system that grants you access to all of the Google applications (Google drive, docs, sheets, and slides.)

You need to create a Gmail account in order to access Google applications.

Learn: https://support.google.com/mail/answer/56256?hl=en

Google Drive

Google Drive is a free, cloud-based, browser and mobile-based, file storage and management system.

  • The system is considered the “central hub” of the Google applications and makes it possible to access files, documents, and media from anywhere in the world on a computer or a cellphone.
  • It is also browser-based (as opposed to on-premises software), meaning the application can be accessed from any computer with an Internet connection and access to a browser (Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, etc.)
  • Additionally, it is also available as a mobile application.
  • One Drive gives you 15 GB of free cloud storage.

Learn: https://support.google.com/drive/answer/2424384?co=GENIE.Platform%3DDesktop&hl=en

Google Docs

Google Docs is a free, browser and mobile-friendly, document creation and sharing software.

  • Google Docs is cloud-based, meaning it saves automatically to Google Drive (see above) and can be accessed from a computer (with an Internet connection) anywhere in the world.
  • It is also browser-based (as opposed to on-premises software), meaning the application can be accessed from any computer or cellphone with an Internet connection and access to a browser (Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, etc.)
  • With Google Docs, you can easily share a link to edit, view, or comment on a document with anyone else on the Internet.

Learn: https://support.google.com/drive/answer/2424384?co=GENIE.Platform%3DDesktop&hl=en

Google Sheets

Considered the sister of Excel, Google Sheets is a free, browser and mobile-friendly, spreadsheet creation and sharing software.

  • Google Sheets is cloud-based, meaning it saves automatically to Google Drive (see above) and can be accessed from a computer (with an Internet connection) anywhere in the world.
  • It is also browser-based (as opposed to on-premises software), meaning the application can be accessed from any computer or cellphone with an Internet connection and access to a browser (Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, etc.)
  • With Google Sheets, you can easily share a link to edit, view, or comment on a spreadsheet with anyone else on the Internet.

Learn: https://support.google.com/docs/answer/6000292?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DDesktop

Google Slides

Google Slides is a free, browser and mobile-friendly, presentation creation and sharing software.

  • Google Slides is cloud-based, meaning it saves automatically to Google Drive (see above) and can be accessed from a computer (with an Internet connection) anywhere in the world.
  • It is also browser-based (as opposed to on-premises software), meaning the application can be accessed from any computer or cellphone with an Internet connection and access to a browser (Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, etc.)
  • With Google Slides, you can easily share a link to edit, view, or comment on a spreadsheet with anyone else on the Internet.

Learn: https://support.google.com/a/users/answer/9282488?visit_id=637872963268325140-3636160070&hl=en&rd=1

Explore Microsoft Applications

Outlook (start here)

Outlook is a free email system, created by Microsoft, that grants you access to all of the free versions of Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, and Powerpoint.)

You need to create an Outlook account in order to access Microsoft Office applications.

Learn: https://outlook.live.com/owa/

Microsoft for web apps

Microsoft has made its Office products accessible via an Internet browser, as opposed to having to work on documents like Word, Excel, or Powerpoint on (and only on) one device.

However, there are some differences you may want to be aware of. Read more: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/differences-between-using-a-document-in-the-browser-and-in-word-3e863ce3-e82c-4211-8f97-5b33c36c55f8

One Drive

One Drive (personal) is a free, cloud-based, browser and mobile-based, file storage and management system.

  • The system is considered the “central hub” of the Microsoft Office (free) applications and makes it possible to access files, documents, and media from anywhere in the world on a computer or a cellphone.
  • It is also browser-based (as opposed to on-premises software), meaning the application can be accessed from any computer with an Internet connection and access to a browser (Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, etc.)
  • Additionally, it is also available as a mobile application.
  • One Drive gives you 5 GB of free cloud storage.

Learn: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/upload-and-save-files-and-folders-to-onedrive-a5710114-6aeb-4bf5-a336-dffa7cc0b77a

Word for the web

Word for the web is a free, cloud-based, browser and mobile-based, document creation and sharing application. Word for the web has the same basic functions as Microsoft Word.

  • Word for the web is cloud-based, meaning it saves automatically to One Drive (see above) and can be accessed from a computer (with an Internet connection) anywhere in the world.
  • It is also browser-based (as opposed to on-premises software), meaning the application can be accessed from any computer or cellphone with an Internet connection and access to a browser (Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, etc.)
  • With Word for the web, you can easily share a link to edit, view, or comment on a document with anyone else on the Internet.

Learn: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/get-to-know-word-for-the-web-a278ea8f-face-4775-889e-7bd6e224f08e

Excel for the web

Excel for the web is a free, cloud-based, browser and mobile-based, spreadsheet creation and sharing application. Excel for the web has the same basic functions as Microsoft Excel.

  • Excel for the web is cloud-based, meaning it saves automatically to One Drive (see above) and can be accessed from a computer (with an Internet connection) anywhere in the world.
  • It is also browser-based (as opposed to on-premises software), meaning the application can be accessed from any computer or cellphone with an Internet connection and access to a browser (Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, etc.)
  • With Excel for the web, you can easily share a link to edit, view, or comment on a document with anyone else on the Internet.

Learn: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/create-a-workbook-in-excel-for-the-web-63b50461-38c4-4c93-a17e-36998be0e3d0

Powerpoint for the web

PowerPoint for the web is a free, cloud-based, browser and mobile-based, presentation creation and sharing application. PowerPoint for the web has the same basic functions as Microsoft PowerPoint.

  • PowerPoint for the web is cloud-based, meaning it saves automatically to One Drive (see above) and can be accessed from a computer (with an Internet connection) anywhere in the world.
  • It is also browser-based (as opposed to on-premises software), meaning the application can be accessed from any computer or cellphone with an Internet connection and access to a browser (Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, etc.)
  • With PowerPoint for the web, you can easily share a link to edit, view, or comment on a document with anyone else on the Internet.

Learn: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/get-started-with-powerpoint-for-the-web-6303da7a-402a-4300-8b1c-160e8940cc34

Other software for school

Canva

Canva is a cloud and browser-based design software. It has high-quality graphics and media integrated, via the menu panel, making presentation, document, and/or content design easier and the need to Google search for images or videos a thing of the past.

Learn: https://www.canva.com/

Notion

Notion is a dynamic note-taking and task-organizing application for mobile or web. It has gained notoriety for its effective and unique features that make a student’s busy class schedule, and life, easier to manage.

Learn: https://www.notion.so/product

Updated: December 22, 2023

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