Google for Education FAQs
Google for Education
The White River School District provides accounts to 2nd-12th grade students through a service provided by Google called Google Apps for Education. These accounts provide students with web-based word processing, online calendar, email (grades 6-12), and other communication/collaboration tools. The purpose of these accounts is to help students communicate with teachers and each other for learning purposes, giving students practice and skill in using the types of technology tools essential to their future.
Google Apps for Education is similar to the tools you can use when signing up for a personal Gmail account, but it is specially designed for schools with extra management and monitoring tools. There is no cost for these accounts.
Google Apps FAQs
Q: What is Google for Education?
A: Google for Education is a set of online word processing and collaboration tools called GSuite.
Core GSuite applications include:
- Gmail: Email storage and search tools that help students find and share information quickly and efficiently.
- Google Calendar: Students can organize their schedules and share events and calendars with others.
- Google Docs: Share documents, spreadsheets, presentations, surveys, and drawings. Collaborate in real-time with teachers and classmates.
- Google Classroom: Read class announcement, turn in assignments, ask teachers questions, and participate in teacher-led online discussion boards.
- Google Keep: Take notes digitally, set reminders, and access your notes on anywhere you have internet, including the Google Keep app on your phone.
Q: How much is Google for Education?
A: Google for Education is free. We plan to keep the core offerings of Google for Education free. This includes user accounts for future incoming students. As you may know, Google was founded by a research project at Stanford University, and this is just one way they give back to the educational community.
Q: Are there advertisements with Google Apps?
A: There are no advertisements used with Google for Education.
Q: Will my child’s information be secure on Google Apps?
A: Two of the most common questions regarding Google in general, and Google Apps specifically, are security and privacy. The email data is owned by White River School District and its students – NOT Google. Google is simply a service provider.
With that said, the White River School District is a government entity and all email is considered public record and as such it is understood that a district-provided account is open to review at any time. In addition, all students and staff are held accountable to School Board Policy 2022P.
Google has provided an additional FAQ page regarding Security and Privacy where you can find more information.
Q: Will Google protect my child from SPAM and viruses?
A: Yes. Google blocks any files it considers a possible danger. These include executables, even if they are in a zip file.
Q: What is the district doing to protect my child from cyberbullying while he/she is using this online resource?
A: The White River School District recognizes that bullies aren’t limited to the schoolyard anymore. Our district takes a proactive approach to educating staff, students and parents about the issues surrounding the use of today’s technology tools. Technology tools themselves are not “bad”, however, when used inappropriately the results can be devastating.
The district would like to partner with parents to provide a safe environment for students. As part of this partnership:
- The district will ensure that Google filters are set to actively flag inappropriate words and/or words that are deemed threatening in any way.
- The district will uphold all aspects of School Board policy 2022P and the procedures as outlined in our Acceptable use guidelines.
The last two school years, the documentary Screenagers has been shown in-district in the evening to provide families an opportunity to discuss both the benefits and pitfalls of devices. Local and national showings of Screenagers.
In return, we request parents support by using these tools to guide their child in becoming a responsible digital citizen.