This blog is a combination of two professional loves of mine: technology and teaching. It's a way to discuss what's current in instructional technology, as well as what is really happening in our classrooms.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Google Apps: Friend or Foe?
Here is a link to another blog, the Fischbowl about pros and cons of using GoogleApps with students.
This is an interesting question. It raises in my mind the question: why can students not just use google apps through a gmail account? I have access to all the google applications and my work is saved through there. Is there a reason the school needs direct access to all student work? Allowing them to use an individual gmail account would allow them to keep all their work, and not disrupt any digital footprints they have created. Maybe I need to learn more about the difference between school domain google apps and personal use. I have always had my students just use the apps through gmail.
Fischbowl had a few good criticisms about Google Apps Education and the fact that students should be offered the training for Google Apps In general. I watched a YouTube video where two Google experts explain some of the benefits of the Education Apps including collaboration, communication, and savings in cost on hardware and software repair. The Education Apps (although video dated 2008) appears to be what the technology time is calling for: connectivism. However, I agree with Fischbowl that students should be offered the entire package of knowing how to navigate all that Google Apps has to offer not just the Education Apps. Why not? It’s free! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRYRbPCHTck
I don't know that much about how these can be implemented, but I want to learn more, too. As with anything, it can be very frustrating when you want to change to something new, see all the reasons to do so, and all you hear is a resounding "no". I joke that "no" is our tech department's favorite word. Jana, you made a good point, 2008 is still new in the education world!
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This is an interesting question. It raises in my mind the question: why can students not just use google apps through a gmail account? I have access to all the google applications and my work is saved through there. Is there a reason the school needs direct access to all student work?
ReplyDeleteAllowing them to use an individual gmail account would allow them to keep all their work, and not disrupt any digital footprints they have created.
Maybe I need to learn more about the difference between school domain google apps and personal use. I have always had my students just use the apps through gmail.
Fischbowl had a few good criticisms about Google Apps Education and the fact that students should be offered the training for Google Apps In general. I watched a YouTube video where two Google experts explain some of the benefits of the Education Apps including collaboration, communication, and savings in cost on hardware and software repair. The Education Apps (although video dated 2008) appears to be what the technology time is calling for: connectivism. However, I agree with Fischbowl that students should be offered the entire package of knowing how to navigate all that Google Apps has to offer not just the Education Apps. Why not? It’s free! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRYRbPCHTck
ReplyDeleteI don't know that much about how these can be implemented, but I want to learn more, too. As with anything, it can be very frustrating when you want to change to something new, see all the reasons to do so, and all you hear is a resounding "no". I joke that "no" is our tech department's favorite word.
ReplyDeleteJana, you made a good point, 2008 is still new in the education world!