G Suite Updates
Google continuously rolls out G Suite updates, with a recent focus on Meet. We'll try to keep this page updated with helpful release information. We'll also indicate here whether there are any known issues/outages with G Suite that would affect students' learning.
You might have heard Google is rebranding G Suite as Google Workspace. We only just finished a search-and-replace changing Google Apps to G Suite ;-), so we're not rushing yet to rename things (like this page!). For now, expect to see support documents outside of csdecatur.net to refer to Google Workspace. The two labels -- G Suite and Google Workspace -- are synonymous.
Current G Suite status: Looks like everything is working! If staff think otherwise, reach out to your site tech so we can investigate. You can also directly check the G Suite Status Dashboard where Google alerts us to system issues.
Meet Early Access Program for CSD
We participate in Google's Meet Early Access Program (EAP) to test upcoming features. There are currently no major features available for testing in the EAP, but that can change. Handraising, polling, Q&A, breakout rooms, breakout room timers, and Jamboard integration have left the EAP and are generally available.
If you are interested in opting into the EAP, please complete this form. Some things to know:
We encourage folks to uninstall any extensions related to Meet. Here is written guidance of how to uninstall or disable extensions.
Some features available via the EAP might disappear from the EAP before they "reappear" in the general release of a feature.
If you want to opt out of the EAP, please submit a support ticket that clearly states you want to leave the Meet EAP.
Send your feedback on Meet EAP features here.

Re-meet Meet
We created this video covering features added to Meet this summer and fall, along with pro tips and reminders of best practices. It covers a lot of ground, but there are time codes in the first minute if you want to skip to a particular feature.
Learn more about G Suite
The G Suite Learning Center has demos and tutorials for all levels of users.
Show what you know about G Suite
We have several vouchers for Level 1 Google Certified Educator exams. If you're interested in getting certified, complete this form to request an exam voucher.
G Suite feature releases
Below, you'll see links to feature release notes and blog posts (usually about upcoming features, or going more in-depth about how to use new features) that affect teaching and learning. For features that have not yet fully deployed, we also indicate when you can expect them to arrive for you.
If you're reading the fine print in these and wonder about timing and what version of G Suite (or Google Workspace) we have: we are on the Rapid Release schedule and license Google Workspace Enterprise for Education. You can also look ahead at (non-exhaustive) G Suite features that are in development.
Meet
Jan. 12: New tools to troubleshoot network and performance issues in Google Meet - Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on January 12
Jan. 7: Join a meeting with new options on the Google Meet landing page - Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on January 7
Dec. 15: Turn Google Meet Quick access on or off from Google Calendar - Extended rollout expected to be completed in January
Dec. 9: Some Google Meet settings now “sticky” for Education users
Nov 17: Virtually raise your hand to ask a question in Google Meet
Oct. 30: Replace your background in Google Meet [Chrome OS, macOS, and Windows]
Oct. 9: Create breakout rooms for more engaged distance learning in Google Meet
Oct. 8: New safety and collaboration features in Google Meet (summary of recent and upcoming features)
Oct. 1: Increase engagement with Q&A and polls in Google Meet
Sep. 28: Google Meet attendance reports available now for education meetings
Sep. 22: Host collaborative brainstorms with new digital whiteboarding integration in Google Meet
Sep. 15: See up to 49 people, including yourself, in Google Meet
Sep. 15: Blur your background in Google Meet [macOS and Windows]
Sep. 14: More Google Meet participant controls for education meetings
Sep. 11: New look and feel for Google Meet mobile apps (plus other related announcement)
Sep. 3: Adding present and chat Meet moderator capabilities for education users
Aug. 11: More details on what's coming to Meet and Classroom (summary of upcoming features)
Classroom and Drive (including Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Forms)
Jan. 5: Smart compose and spelling autocorrect available when adding comments in Google Docs
Dec. 10: Create and work with documents that contain multiple page orientations in Google Docs
Dec. 10: Open Office attachments from Gmail in Google Docs, Sheets, or Slides with one click
Dec. 1: New comment interface for Google Drive, Docs, Sheets, and Slides rolling out to more devices
Nov. 24: Office editing on iOS brings Google Workspace collaboration to Microsoft Office files
Oct. 27: Office editing mode is now the default editing mode for Office files in Drive on the web
Oct. 15: Use Smart Fill to help automate data entry in Google Sheets
Oct. 8: Access checker for Slides now checks permissions when you share with new users
Sep. 29: New features to help improve and analyze data in Google Sheets
Sep. 16: Folder sharing in shared drives now generally available
Sep. 15: Google Drive trash items will be automatically deleted after 30 days starting on October 13
Sep. 8: Google Docs line spacing will now adjust based on font
Aug. 26: Expanding shortcuts in Google Drive, reducing unorganized files
Aug. 5: Google Docs mobile improvements: link previews and Smart Compose
Aug. 5: Review presentations more quickly with new viewing interface on Google Slides Android app
Aug. 4: Access checker for Slides ensures inserted video and audio is playable
Gmail and Chat
Nov. 30: Changes to Google Chat group conversations and classic Hangouts coming December 3, 2020
Nov. 12: Pin conversations with Google Chat
Nov. 5: Rooms in Google Chat to be unthreaded by default starting November 16
Aug. 12: Enable the new integrated experience in G Suite across the web, iOS and Android