The start of our Google journey
Google apps for education is a suite of hosted communication and collaboration tools designed and maintained by google and supplied to schools, universities and non profit organisations for free.
Yesterday, after registering a suitable domain name, I applied for a google apps for education account for the trust of nine schools for which I work. Â After numerous meetings with head teachers and trust board members, our google journey has started.
I believe putting these tools into the hands of our staff and pupils is a huge leap forward in our ICT provision.  I hope that they realise the massive potential for teaching and learning.  Students creating websites together, parents viewing school calendars, staff working on the same document at the same time.  I can’t wait.
Unfortunately, I never realised just how long it takes to get approved as an educational establishment in the eyes of Google. Â It seems from the email they have sent me, and replies on twitter that it is going to be at least another three weeks. Â So until they are able to confirm our educational status, we are limited to just 10 accounts. Â Not enough to give the ‘beta testers’ an account each. Â Oh, and the promise I made of no ads doesn’t hold on a standard free account either.
Unfortunately, our adventure will just have to wait until Easter is over.
