Google Updates 2017-2018

NEW for 2017-18:
Google Hangouts for Students No Longer Available
Due to recent incidents with students accessing inappropriate video chat within Google Hangouts, the PPS Google Apps Advisory Group has recommended that Google Hangouts be turned off for all students. Google Hangouts is videoconferencing software that allows for collaboration, communication and sharing. In Hangouts, we are unable to save video or chat transcripts and sessions cannot be deleted, so there is concern that students could access videoconferencing without adult supervision. Hangouts will continue to be available for all district staff. This change is planned to go into effect at the start of the 2017-18 school year. See full message here.

G Suite Training
This is a Chrome extension that offers simple and interactive training lessons to get you up and running fast with G Suite. Training is accessible directly within G Suite, so you don’t need to leave the application to learn how to use it. This extension is free and will be pushed out to all district users at the start of the 2017-18 school year. See more information and help.

Sync Google Classroom with Synergy
Did you know that you can sync Google Classroom with Synergy? Your building scheduler can check the “Google Classroom section” box to create a Google Classroom for any of the classes/sections you teach with the students already populated.

For more information on Google Apps, please visit our PPS Google Apps Resource Page. You can also find Google Apps news on the PPS Google Apps Blog.

Google’s Be Internet Awesome

With school out and summer break giving kids more time to spend on the Internet, it’s a great time to introduce Be Internet Awesome: a new way to encourage digital safety and citizenship.

To make the most of the Internet, kids need to be prepared to make smart decisions. Be Internet Awesome teaches kids the fundamentals of digital citizenship and safety so they can explore the online world with confidence.

Developed in collaboration with online safety experts like the Family Online Safety Institute, the Internet Keep Safe Coalition and ConnectSafely, Be Internet Awesome focuses on five key lessons to help kids navigate the online world with confidence:

•Be Internet Smart: Share with care
•Be Internet Alert: Don’t fall for fake
•Be Internet Strong: Secure your secrets
•Be Internet Kind: It’s cool to be kind
•Be Internet Brave: When in doubt, talk it out

The program includes a range of specific resources for kids, educators and parents, so everyone has the tools they need to learn and participate in the conversation. You can read moe about the program here.

Google’s New Technology Curriculum for Grades 7-12

Google has a new technology curriculum for grades 7-12 classrooms! This course uses instructional videos and creative projects to teach students how to use G Suite applications like Docs, Sheets, and Slides. The curriculum’s project-based format allows students to apply their new skills to real, relevant problems. It also grounds students in digital citizenship and encourages them to use technology tools safely and responsibly. Get started here.

Google Classroom Now Open to All

Big news, Google Classroom is now open to individuals without G Suite for Education accounts! From the Google blog:

Starting today, these new Classroom users will be able to join existing classes and over the coming weeks, they’ll have the ability to create their own classes as well. Schools interested in using Google Classroom should still sign up for G Suite for Education.

This update gives schools more flexibility in how they collaborate with other organizations and students: For example, student teachers or visiting students can now easily integrate into their host school or university’s Classroom set-up.