introduction to google apps for education

• 1. An Introduction toGoogle Appsfor Education By Steven Hall, RIS K-12 Technology Coordinator

2. This Presentation:

• What is Google Apps (GApps)?

• What is GApps for Education?

• Why Do We NeedGApps 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

3. What is Google Apps ( GApps )?

• Google Applications is acloudbasedgroupwareproduct

• Its a suite of various applications that permit communication & collaboration

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

4. What is Google Appsfor Education ?

• GApps for Education is aspecificgrouping of applications tailored for use in schools. These include:

• StartPage

• Calendar

• Documents

• Sites

• Talk

• Gmail(we currently have this turned off)

5. The Google AppsSuite 6. Why Do We NeedGApps for RIS/T ?

• Staffneeds access to an up-to-date school calendar

• Staffneeds a way to easily create and update websites: class wikis, departmental intranets, etc.

• Staffneeds to work and communicate with peers &studentsfrom any device at any location, anytime

7. BENEFITS 10 Reasons WhyGoogle AppsCan Benefit RIS/T 8. 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

9. Benefit 2:Collaboration

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

• 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

10. 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)

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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 theworldthat RIS/T is taking a lead in the use ofnewtechnologies

14. 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

15. Benefit 8:Only 1 Login

• GApps requires just one login to access multiple applications

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

16. 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 21 stcentury

• 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

17. 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

18. Google Apps for RIS/TTour:

• Start Page(start.rism.ac.th)

• Calendar(calendar.rism.ac.th)

• Docs(docs.rism.ac.th)

• Sites(sites.rism.ac.th)

• Talk

19. GApps for RIS/TWikis

• 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 )

20. Other Schools UsingGApps:

• Prem Tinsulanondaof Chiang Mai

• American School of Japan

• Yokohama International School

• International School of Kuala Lumpur

• BusanForeign School

• King George V School of Hong Kong

• Carol Morgan School

21. Future Considerations

• Gmailfor next year?

• Google EarthPro 200 free licenses

• Google SketchUpPro licenses coming

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

• Importance of Internetbandwidth

• Importance of students usingRISemail

22. ThatsI T .