A Timeline for Transition from Old Google Sites to New Google Sites

Last November the new version of Google Sites was made available to everyone who wants to use it. For many people that marked the beginning of the end of the classic version of Google Sites. In fact, earlier today someone asked me when the old version would be going away. By pure coincidence, not an hour later Google published this blog post explaining when the old version of Google Sites would be phased out. 

The classic version of Google Sites will phased out beginning in Q4 of this year. Tools for migration to the new, current version of Google Sites will be made available to users of classic Google Sites. Once the official deprecation timeline for classic Google Sites is announced, those sites will still be supported for at least a year although you won't be able to create new Sites using the classic editor. 

What all this means is that if you're thinking of building a website by using Google Sites, use the new (current) version of Google Sites because eventually you're going to have to use it anyway. If you already have a site established through the classic version of Google Sites, you have some time before you have to make the switch. 

Kahoot Announces New Windows 10 Apps

In an earlier post I shared some of the news about Microsoft's new Windows 10 S operating system. In that post I mentioned that all apps used in Windows 10 S have to be approved by Microsoft for inclusion in the Windows Store. Kahoot is one of the first to get approval.

Kahoot has two Windows 10 apps. Kahoot Create is the app for teachers to use to create and run Kahoot quiz games. Kahoot Play is the app for students to use to play a Kahoot game individually or in team mode. 

Watch the following video to learn how to create and play Kahoot quiz games. 

Microsoft Unveils a Newish OS to Compete With Chromebooks

Microsoft is clearly feeling pressure from Google's Chrome OS growing popularity in schools. To respond to that pressure Microsoft has launched a new operating system they're calling Windows 10 S. It is essentially a stripped-down version of Windows 10 that is designed to run on inexpensive laptops. Windows 10 S will restrict users to installing only apps that are approved through the Windows Store. Kahoot is one of the first companies to have their Windows 10 S apps approved.

Microsoft says that part of the reason for restricting Windows 10 S to only using approved apps is to improve performance of computers on which Windows 10 S is used.

Windows 10 S laptops will start shipping this summer. The prices are expected to range from $189 to $999. A one-year subscription to Minecraft EDU is included in the purchase price.

I was invited to Microsoft's press conference this morning. When I was pressed for a good reason to attend, the PR rep told me "it will be worth it for your readers" but she wouldn't give me any specifics. I declined their invitation to attend.

If you're interested in learning more about Windows 10 S and Microsoft's attempt to regain marketshare from Google, take a look at the following articles from TechCrunch and The Next Web.

Microsoft’s killer feature for its Chromebook competitor is Office

Windows 10 S will fuel Microsoft’s Chromebook competitors

The $999 Surface Laptop is Microsoft’s expensive answer to Chromebooks

Microsoft unveils Windows 10 S, a more powerful competitor to Chrome OS

How to Create a Google Classroom With a Gmail Account

Allowing anyone who has a Gmail address to create a Google Classroom was one of the most popular product updates that Google released last month. I've fielded a quite a few questions from people who are having trouble creating a Google Classroom with their Gmail addresses. To address those questions I created the following video tutorial.


Join me in Getting Going With G Suite to learn how all parts of G Suite can work together in your classroom.