I am pleased to announce that SVUSD has been approved for Google Apps: Education Edition. Google Apps is a variety of cloud based tools that Google provides to the public. The Education Edition includes Gmail (an e-mail application), Google Chat (an instant messaging client), Google Calendar (a collaborative calendar), Google Docs (an Office suite), Google Sites (for creating websites), and much more.
The IT Department is very excited, not only because of the applications that Google provides, but because it provides solutions for two issues that we have been working on. The first issue was storage and remote access. Earlier this year, the IT Department set out to provide a place for students to store files that was accessible both on and off campus. Google provides us with a turn key solution with 7GB of storage per user that is accessible anywhere you have Internet. The second issue was student e-mail. Gmail gives the district with the ability to provide e-mail access to all of our students. Currently we are working out the details of the e-mail system and what features will be enabled when students are given access. Some of the questions are what grade levels will have access to the mail system and whether or not we will close the e-mail system, only allowing students to e-mail other students and/or staff at SVUSD.
The first feature that we will be implementing is the Calendar. Google Calendar is a collaborative calendar that can be shared amongst the staff, students, and even the public. At the Administrative Cabinet meeting last week, I gave a presentation about how it can be used by sites to share important dates and events with the public. A great feature of the calendar it that is easily embedded into websites, providing visitors a calendar that is updated in real time without IT intervention.
As we work out the details of our deployment plan for the district, I am hoping to get some input from teachers that currently use Google Apps or would like to use it next year. We are interested in hearing how you are using it in the classroom and what your experience has been like. Please feel free to e-mail me or post comments and feedback below.
Check back here often as I will post updates about our Google Apps deployment and other IT related information.
I used Google Apps for Education with one of my classes this year. We used Docs (including word processing,presentations, and the Forms). I turned on the email, and we occasionally used the chat feature. We didn't get to the Sites, but it is user-friendly and I look forward to using it next year. The kids caught on quickly, and I'm really excited to learn we will be using Google Apps in the District.
ReplyDeleteMarian Rasmussen ...
ReplyDeleteI am really excited to see that we have gotten Google Apps for the District. Mike Schwarz and I are working on the student email system with Gmail accounts for students. Looks like we will be able to begin in the fall for those that would like to participate. Depending on the school we can open or close the email system. I have used Google Docs and in the last year it has improved immensely. My students have used Google presentations and it worked fine. Also I have used Google Forms to create surveys for teachers and students this year. We are looking at using the calendar feature for each school to sign up for student labs so there is only one place to go to for each school. Exciting stuff!
Hi-- I am interested in being part of the pilot program for Google Apps at the high school.
ReplyDeleteCurrently my students are using Google Mail (gmail) and Google docs to post and edit papers online. This is invaluable!!
Thank you-- can't wait to start next August ASAP. Jennifer Panicacci
We've used the google calendar feature a bit at Adele I really like it. Generally it works well, but it can be quirky. I'm curious how the rest of all of this will work, and it sounds like a good solution to storage issues. I do have concerns about how the email features will be used, so I hope the district is able to have a lot of control about how it is set up for the kids.
ReplyDelete-Mimi