Google Apps and Chromebooks
This web site is a resource for teachers, students, administrators, and parents to find help, support, and ideas for using Google Apps for Education (GAFE) and Chromebooks. There are links to other sites, files, videos, and more to help everyone get the most out of using the Chromebooks and Google Apps for Education.
There are help guides and examples of using Google Apps and Chromebooks in education.
Faculty, Staff and Students can access their Google Apps for Education accounts from any device, anywhere.
Google Apps for Education Agreement
Google Apps for Education Privacy Statement
Maine Township High Schools feel secure with Google Apps for Education
Protecting Students with Google Apps for Education
Many thanks to Bridgeport Public Schools and Maine Township for valuable information and links.
River Trails School District 26 evaluated a variety of systems and hardware for the students and decided on Google Apps for Education and Chromebooks. Here are some of the reasons why:
- Increase student engagement
- Expose our students to the latest technology - software and hardware
- Create student centered learning environments
- Allow students and teachers to do new things, work collaboratively and create projects
- Prepare our students for the transition to online PARCC testing as we move toward Common Core State Standards implementation
- Provide equitable access to computers to all students (1:1)
Why Google Apps for Education?
Why Chromebooks for Education?
What is Google Apps for Education?
Educational Benefits of Chromebooks and GAFE:
- Fast boot time – 7-8 seconds - They boot up in less than 8 seconds and resume instantly -- eliminating the typical down time wasted while traditional computers start up and connect to a network.
- Applications, school work, and settings are stored in the cloud, so multiple students can use the same Chromebook and still have their own personalized experience when they sign in.
- The Google Applications are free for student use; such as Google Docs (word processing, spreadsheets, and presentation).
- Allows for easy student and teacher collaboration and feedback.
IT Benefits of Chromebooks and GAFE:
- Web Based Management
- Reduced setup time
- No programs to install – all student work will be saved in the “cloud”
- No viruses
- Updates are automatic
- Easy to use - minimal IT support needed
- Inexpensive - allows more devices to be purchased
Google Apps for Education - GAFE
- Free
- Word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, sites, networking, collaboration, and lots more
- Students can access their files from any device
- Students can share their work with their teachers
- Students can collaborate with others on the same project at the same time
- Unlimited potential
- Safe (management of GAFE and Chromebooks)
- Students create projects, instead of just consuming information
Chromebooks
- Cost - 1/3 cost of a laptop
- 1/10th the setup time
- Less IT support needed
- Automatic updates
- Easy to use
- Fast
- Lightweight
- Start up in 7-10 seconds
- Battery lasts 6.5 hours or more (8+ hours for some)
- Thousands of free web-apps available
- Internet based - student data is stored online and accessible from any device
- Works with digital resources we already use
- Research shows that technology-transformed interventions improve learning
- Allows for collaborative, project based lessons and learning
- Technology based, online collaboration and personalized instruction helps with student engagement and learning
- The Google Guru Site
- Switch to Google Chrome
- Chromebook Getting Started Guide
- Tour of your Chromebook (includes screen, menu and keyboard and touchpad)
- What is Google Apps for Education (GAFE)?
- Why Chromebooks for Education?
- Chromebook (Chrome OS) for Beginners
- What is Chrome OS?
- Google Apps for Education (GAFE) K-12 Demo
- Chrome OS Guided Tour
- Introducing the Chromebook
- Chromebooks for Education Overview
- Chromebooks for Education, For Every Student
- A Tour of your Chromebook
- Google Apps for Education Home Page
- Google Apps Training Materials
- Learn Google Apps
- Getting Started with Google Drive
- Create, edit, and format Forms
- Getting Started with Google Sites
- Google Apps Training videos
- Google Apps Training
- Google for Education Resources
- Updated Training Modules: "Google Apps for Education Overview"
- Google Drive
- Chromebook Keyboard Features
- Chromebook Keyboard Shortcuts