Google Apps for Education
Davenport Community Schools Expands Google Apps for Education
The Davenport Community Schools has used Google Apps for Education in classrooms for several years. Google Apps provides students with a set of digital tools that can help them complete assignments, store files and communicate with teachers and fellow students. Students are able to access their password-protected account from any Internet-connected device which makes it easy for students to start a project at school and continue to work on it at home.
Until now Google Apps benefits have been limited to internal school access only and have included:
- Docs – Students have access to a word processing, spreadsheet, drawing and presentation program, similar to Microsoft Office.
- Calendar – Students have access to an individual calendar in order to organize schedules, daily activities and assignments.
- Sites – Students have access to an individual and collaborative website creation tool.
- Email – Students have access to email for internal school use that is managed and filtered by the district. They are only be able to send and receive email from staff and students.
New this year, the district will be broadening access for high school students to allow sharing of resources around the world for educational purposes.
- Email – Students grades 9-12 will have access to an individual internet email account for school use that is managed and filtered by DCS. They will be able to send and receive email outside of the district giving them access to global file sharing. Please note, for grades 3-8 there will be no change in access.
This change will be effective in fourth quarter of the 2014-15 school year. Google Apps is considered an extension of the district’s network, and it is the expectation of the district that students will follow district/school policies for appropriate use when using their Google account. Students are assigned a Google Apps account that includes email and other Google services without written consent of parents as it is considered a curriculum tool. Parents may use this login and password to receive full access to monitor their child’s account. This password and login can also be received through the school office. If any parent/guardian objects to their student having access to a Google Apps account, he/she should contact their student’s principal in writing within two weeks of receiving this letter. For more information about Google Apps for Education click here.
