Week 1 - Free Response - Google Apps

This week, Google announced that some new changes are the horizon for Google Apps customers. We are a current user of Google Apps for education and I have been extremely happy with the overall Google experience. If you unfamiliar with Google Apps for education, take a moment to watch this video.


Currently we limit our use of Google Apps to our faculty and staff members. The most utilized functions are Gmail, Calendar and Docs. However, with this announcement from Google, it appears that there are some new functions that will prove to be very useful to both faculty and students. Some of the new products being added to the core services include, Blogger, Picasa and Google Reader. While this functionality has always been available to regular Google App subscribers, it has never been part of the core suite for those on the paid or education version of Google Apps.

While many of these tools were still being used in the classroom, the ability to have one central administration was none existent. With this announcement, administrators will be able to have a little more control over functions like Blogger and hopefully help teachers integrate this valuable tool in the classroom.