• Owen J. Roberts' Google Apps for Education
     
    Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
    Click on a topic below to learn about Google Apps integration in our schools.
     
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    10. Can I see what my child is doing in Google Apps?

    11. Why can't my child email me with this account?

    12. Do these Apps work on an iPad or other tablet device?
     
     
    1. Why use Google Apps for Education?
    Google Apps is an appropriate-use tool and affords elementary and secondary students to participate in authentic online learning in a safe environment.

    "Digital Citizenship” and “Digital Age Learning” (aka "21st Century Skills") are concepts which help teachers, technology leaders and parents to understand what students/children/technology users should know to use technology appropriately.

    Digital Citizenship and Digital Age Learning are more than just a teaching tools; using these tools can be a way to prepare students/technology users for a society full of technology. Too often we are seeing students as well as adults misusing and abusing technology but not sure what to do.

    More Information:
    • www.commonsensemedia.org
    Here is a great article about why Google Apps for Education works for schools. Click here.
    2. What tools are available for students and staff in the core Google Apps for Education suite?
    Students: Gmail, Calendar, Docs, Sites
    Staff: Calendar, Contacts, Docs, Sites
    3. What is a brief description of these core tools? 
    • Gmail: Students will have email (grades K-12).  The accounts are for educational purposes, sending messages to teachers and other students (ojrsd.com, ojrsd.net addresses), submitting class assignments electronically, and for creating accounts for vetted online resources that require email verifications.
    • Google Calendar: Organize schedules and share events and calendars with others.
    • Google Contacts: Organize personal contacts and create personal mailing lists.
    • Google Docs: Share documents, spreadsheets, and presentations. Collaborate in real-time with your team or with your whole school. You can publish final documents to the entire world, too.
    • Google Sites: Work together to keep related documents, web content and other information in one place, on one site.

    4. What additional tools are available through our Owen J. Roberts School District accounts? *
    Blogger - Google's online blog platform
    EasyBib - Citation and Bibliography wizard
    Lucidchart - Graphic Organizer & Flowchart creation

    *These are additional services that are not part of the core Google Apps for Education suite and therefore do not have the same level of support and up-time guarantees. Periodically, other Google "Marketplace" services may be added as curricular needs and access change.
     

    5. How much does Google Apps for Education cost?
    Google Apps for Education is a free service Google offers to all educational institutions.
    6. Will there be advertisements on the Owen J. Robert's Google Apps site?
    No


    7. Will Google Apps always be available for me?
    With Google Apps for Education are guaranteed to be available at least 99.9% of the time, ensuring that users have access when they need it. Further documentation about Google's service availabilty is available here.
     


    8. How are students identified in Google Apps for Education?

    Student usernames and passwords have a consistent format.
    Username: Their OJR network username (last two years of graduation year, first initial, last name -
    Example: 20jdoe
    Full email address: 20jdoe@ojrsd.net

      


    9. Where can I find more information about Google Apps in Education?

    Training sponsored by Google - via the Google Apps Learning Center
    Owen J. Roberts specific - via the Library of Resources, Research & Information 
     


    10. Can I see what my child is doing on Google Apps?

    Parents are encouraged to explore Google Apps with their children by logging in together. You will be able to have your student log in to their OJR Google account at home and show you what they are currently working on in class, as well as items that have been “turned in” and commented on by the teacher.


    11. Why can’t my child email me with this account?

    OJR Google Apps is a “walled garden”. This provides a focused method of communication between students and teachers for school related messages. This is especially helpful for some students experiencing the use of email for the first time. It will not allow students to send or receive email outside of the OJR Google Apps domain. You will not be able to email your student at their ojrsd.net address, nor will they be able to email you.

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    12. Do these apps work on an iPad or other tablets?

    Google Apps documents may be edited using a mobile device such as an Android/iOS tablet or mobile phone.


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