An Introduction to Google Apps for Education

By Steven Hall, RIS K-12 Technology Coordinator

This Presentation:

• What is Google Apps (GApps)?• What is GApps for Education?• Why Do We Need GApps for RIS/T?• Benefits of GApps for RIS/T• GApps for RIS/T Tour• GApps for RIS/T Class Wikis • Other Schools Using GApps• Future Considerations

What is Google Apps (GApps)?

• Google “Applications” is a cloud based groupware product

• It’s a suite of various applications that permit communication & collaboration

• Other examples: LotusNotes, MS Exchange, FirstClass, Live.edu, Adobe, Yahoo Apps

What is Google Apps for Education?

• “GApps for Education” is a specific grouping of applications tailored for use in schools. These include:

• StartPage• Calendar• Documents• Sites• Talk• Gmail (we currently have this turned off)

The Google Apps Suite

Why Do We Need GApps for RIS/T?

1. Staff needs access to an up-to-date school calendar

2. Staff needs a way to easily create and update websites: class wikis, departmental intranets, etc.

3. Staff needs to work and communicate with peers & students from any device at any location, anytime

BENEFITS

10 Reasons Why Google Apps Can Benefit RIS/T

Benefit 1: Control

• GApps allows centralized control & administration of all content

• Wikispaces, Wetpaint, Weebly, etc. do not allow any real administrative control

• When staff leaves RIS/T, their associated GApps content disappears also

Benefit 2: Collaboration

• Users can create: Documents, spreadsheets, surveys, quizzes, slideshows, websites, intranets, wikis, calendars, instant message groups and videoconferences

• These creations can be shared with or edited by students, peers or parents… or kept entirely private

• Students and staff can log in anywhere/anytime to collaborate and communicate

Benefit 3: No Software Needed

• No Cost (MS Office is certainly not free!)

• No security issues (hacked software, etc.)

• No legal issues

• No compatibility issues (.doc vs .docx, Mac vs PC.)

• No maintenance (software installation, updating, troubleshooting)

Benefit 4: Compatible w/ all OSs

• Works on PC

• Works on Mac

• Works on Linux

• Works on any smart phone, iTouch, etc.

• Accessible 24/7 from any internet-connected device

Benefit 5: Multiple Administrators

• There is no “sole” gatekeeper of GApps for RIS/T

• If one of us disappears, the others can maintain the system, anytime/anywhere

• Tony, Liang & I are administrators

Benefit 6: Allows Tech “Leapfrogging”

• Other schools have previously invested in older, complicated & expensive groupware

• GApps is easier to use & manage, and is FREE

• Shows the world that RIS/T is taking a lead in the use of new technologies

Benefit 7: Helps in Emergencies

• In the event of a medical or political crisis, GApps can make staff/student/parent communication & collaboration possible

• Courses can be run “virturally” through the use of class wikis, blogs, calendars, IM & videoconferencing

Benefit 8: Only 1 Login

• GApps requires just one login to access multiple applications

• Other options such as Netvibes, Wikispaces, WordPress, Yahoo, Skype, etc. provide applications “individually,” forcing users to login separately for each!

Benefit 9: Skills Transfer

• Learning how to use GApps is a valuable skill

• These skills will help staff and students be prepared for learning & working in the 21st century

• Google is here to stay & learning the “Google way” will pay off

• Putting effort into learning the “Wetpaint way” or the “Zoho way” might be wasted effort

Benefit 10: Brings Unity

• People are overwhelmed and frustrated by all the technological choices these days

• The GApps “umbrella” of services is simple to use (fun, even!) and provides a unified solution for many needs

• Helps unify our campus

Google Apps for RIS/T Tour:

• Start Page (start.rism.ac.th)

• Calendar (calendar.rism.ac.th)

• Docs (docs.rism.ac.th)

• Sites (sites.rism.ac.th)

• Talk

GApps for RIS/T Wikis

• Ms. Vivian (Mandarin Weather Project) • Ms. Junko (Japanese Class)• Mr. Alex (English Skills 11)• Ms. Mendy (Bio 10 Self-Assessment)• Ms. Jenny (Accelerated 9 Math) • Ms. Gail (Teaching ESL in the Mainstream) • Ms. Rachel (Week Without Walls)• Ms. Jennifer (UNEP Ozone Project)• Mr. Steve (IT Dept)

Other Schools Using GApps:

• Prem Tinsulanonda of Chiang Mai

• American School of Japan

• Yokohama International School

• International School of Kuala Lumpur

• Busan Foreign School

• King George V School of Hong Kong

• Carol Morgan School

Future Considerations

• Gmail for next year?

• Google Earth Pro – 200 free licenses

• Google SketchUp Pro – licenses coming

• May RIS/T be on path to becoming a “Google School”?

• Importance of Internet bandwidth

• Importance of students using RIS email

That’s IT.