> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://gilmour.online/lancertech/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://gilmour.online/lancertech/educators/essential/gmail.md).

# Gmail

First, there's a lot of useful material in the student orientation section you should check out:

{% content-ref url="/pages/-Lh6ivVBnmBpa3drjXgI" %}
[3: Gmail](/lancertech/orientation/gmail.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}

One of our primary goals here is not only to make you comfortable communicating using Gmail but also to increase the response time to parent and student inquiries. That has a significant impact on student outcomes. 

{% hint style="warning" %}
Please correct students when their emails are less than professional. Remind them to include things like a formal salutation should they forget.
{% endhint %}

## Labels

Gmail doesn't use folders, they use labels. The advantage? You can tag something with multiple labels but  keep emails in only one folder. 

{% embed url="<http://youtu.be/AsNgDiwSptk?hd=1>" %}

## Filters

Create rules to automatically categorize, sort or ignore certain emails.&#x20;

{% embed url="<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPas9ZeAzA0>" %}

## Email Groups

{% embed url="<https://contacts.google.com>" %}

{% embed url="<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQm1IzQaLKU>" %}

## Hangouts

Built into Gmail is their chat feature. It's evolving rapidly. It used to be called Google Chat, now it's Hangouts and their conference software, Meet, has spun off of it, too. Hangouts can also be accessed as a standalone website or from within Gmail.

![Enter the names of your students and create a class group](/files/-M2VtbE0hINInVPUe0TG)

{% embed url="<http://youtu.be/TfYxCJIBeM0?hd=1>" %}

{% embed url="<https://hangouts.google.com>" %}