WILMINGTON, MA – Wilmington schools will soon be providing its students (Grades 4-12) and teachers with their own Google Apps for Education accounts, giving them access to Gmail, Google Drive and Google Docs, among other free Google products.
Neal Ellis, IT Director of Wilmington Public Schools, explains below why the district has embraced Google Apps for Education and what benefits students and parents can expect to see.
Ellis’s message was posted on the school district’s website yesterday:
—
[The Office of Information and Technology] is in the process of setting up Google Apps for Education (GAfE) at our district for students and teachers in grade levels 4 through 12. This new system, powered by Google, will provide Gmail to our students, as well as a suite of other Google products such as Google Drive and Docs that will enable us to better communicate, share, and collaborate. Over 8 million other students and teachers are already using GAfE at schools around the world.
It is important to note that your child’s GAfE account is limited in its ability to communicate. Students are only able to communicate with each other and their teachers/staff within the Wilmington Public Schools (WPS). They cannot receive or send email from anyone who does not have a wpsk12.com email address.
We are excited to offer Google Apps as it represents an important step towards developing a 21st century approach to teaching and learning. These tools support the 21st Century classroom, and prepare students with the communication and collaboration skills they’re going to need.
What are the benefits of Google Apps?
- Anytime, anywhere access – Google Apps works in any browser on any computer, which means users can access your email, calendars, and documents from school or at home.
- No flash drives required with documents and files stored in Google Drive.
- Students can easily collaborate with students and teachers within the WPS
- Teachers can be involved throughout the whole assignment process providing comments and feedback directly in the documents.
- Students can develop an e-portfolio of work throughout their years at the school.
- Through websites, calendars, and email, parents can stay informed about the latest assignments and activities.
We are excited to be bringing these tools to the district. Don’t hesitate in asking for more information about this exciting change and how it will impact teaching and learning.
Please visit our Google Apps for Education web page on our website at http://wpsk12.com/resources/gafe/.
—
Like Wilmington Apple on Facebook! Follow Wilmington Apple on Twitter! Subscribe to Wilmington Apple’s daily email newsletter HERE! Got a comment, question, photo, press release, or news tip? Email wilmingtonapple@gmail.com!
Wilmington Apple 