Daniel M. French

Here is the outline of my Google Apps presentation for the VPA conference on May 11, 2010.

Why move to Google Apps?

• much more than email; a collaboration platform (with students) to support:
  • the personalization of instruction
  • expanded access to (new) learning opportunities
  • more apps on the way
• supports the move from a corporate IT structure to an educational IT structure
• enhances capacity of building-based professional learning communities while creating opportunities for “Lateral Innovation Networks”
• easy deployment to mobile platforms (e.g. smart phones, netbooks, etc.)
• expandable with SaaS applications using the Google Apps Marketplace
• From Google:
  • Faster access to innovation
  • Improved reliability and security
  • Maximum economies of scale

• FUD (and sometimes FUDD) Concerns
  • COPPA – “If you are using Google Docs within Google Apps Education Edition for your school domain, your school assumes the responsibility for complying with COPPA and the information that students submit. When offering online services to children under 13, schools must be cognizant of Child Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).  COPPA is a regulation that requires parental consent for the online collection of information about users under 13.  Per the Google Apps Education Edition Agreement, any school administering Google Apps Education Edition acknowledges and agrees that it is solely responsible for compliance with COPPA, including, but not limited to, obtaining parental consent concerning collection of students’ personal information used in connection with the provisioning and use of the Services by the Customer and End Users. Parental consent and notification could take place in form of a permission slip granting use of Google Apps and/or other technology services at the school.”
  • FERPA - Google’s Privacy Policy
  • CIPA – A free message security service can make the system CIPA compliant.
  • Archiving – Google provides each user with over 7 GB of email storage.  A message discovery service is available for a fee.

• The Case of Oregon
  • state-wide access to Google Apps for schools through the Oregon Virtual School District
  • Oregon negotiated a state-wide agreement with Google to address privacy and protection concerns for all of their schools
  • Accelerate Oregon – “a public-private partnership is dedicated to providing Oregon schools with the tools necessary to advance teaching and learning with Technology”

• Resources
  • Google Apps for Education