Anytime I come across an application or piece of software that is not only free to use, but can be of tremendous benefit to my entire school community, I believe it is my duty to share it with other colleagues.
You’ve probably heard about Google Apps before. It is nothing new. But have you really investigated how these free tools can benefit your students, teachers, even school administrators?
First, there are Communication Tools.
Gmail provides you with 7GB of storage, protect against spam and viruses, stay connected with built-in IM, voice and video chat, IMAP and POP message access, and more. Share calendars and schedule people, groups, rooms and resources easily, even from your mobile device with Google Calendars. Google Talk gives you free instant messaging, calling (VOIP), voicemail and file transfer make staying in touch a breeze.
Second, there are Collaborative Tools.
Google Docs allows you to create and share a variety of online documents, from word processing and spreadsheets to forms and presentations -- all with mobile access. Securely share videos that anyone can comment on, tag and rate using Google Videos. Get 10GB free with every domain. Google Sites allows you to effortlessly build shared websites that include videos, images, gadgets and documents. Google Groups permits students and faculty to create their own moderated forums and mailing lists featuring strong sharing and management controls.
Third, there is Google Infrastructure and Security.
Google’s infrastructure is both private and secure with 99.9% uptime guaranteed. Google’s APIs feature single sign-on, user provisioning and management, email migration, email routing controls and reporting. Administrator tools allow you to access your centralized control panel to manage users and customize services for your school. Finally, Google’s Customer Support offers 24x7 phone, email support and user community forums.
Still not impressed? There is the Google Apps Education Community, a site to share, connect and learn with/from other educative communities. Browse K- 12 lesson plans. Read about case studies. View webinars. For free.
Why not check out what Google Apps has to offer? There is even a convenient implementation guide for school administrators to use.
Google Apps: the wave of the future.
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