Google or Not Google for Education

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Permalink Reply by Steve O'Connor on December 1, 2008 at 7:24am

I would never require my students to use a hosted solution that collects their personal information such as done by Google. I don't think have the right to do this when there are other solutions that maintain ownership of data and privacy.

Any number of Open source web apps could handle this.

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Permalink Reply by Alicia Carlson on December 19, 2008 at 11:53am

You cannot embed the documents into google groups, but if your students have a Google document account, they can have a hyperlink to a website that displays their document. You can hyperlink to the documents without allowing editing privlidges.

@Steve I think you have a good point to discuss the collecting of personal information. But some might argue that the collection of information allows the applications to be better developed. But, when we consider the possible collaboration from one Google account, such as sharing document, sharing and defining events, as well as what Gaurav is already doing, I feel like the concern for the data collection seems lessened.

As far as open source applications... is there a way to make it less cumbersome? Are there applications that allow streamlined use for students (rss feeds, collaborative calendars, e-mail, messaging, discussion boards, etc...)? I would love some examples.

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Permalink Reply by Steve O'Connor on December 19, 2008 at 2:33pm

I think Open Source solutions are less cumbersome than most believe.

I've used Rnews with my fifth graders for a web based rss aggregation. Posh could also be used as such, but it is more of a portal. Collaborative calendars are available, but this is not an area that I have personally explored other than project management software (there are several free and open source options).

Any linux server can manage email. If you have a cpanel account, setting up email accounts is simply a few clicks--as easy as Googlemail (except they dont'have software reading your email as Google does). You can access this email with web based or POP access.

Open source discussion boards are infinitely superior to that which Google provides. Simple Machine Forum and phpBB are great examples and there are many others as well.

There are also open source messaging platforms--again an area that I have not ventured into with the exception of integrated messaging in other software.

If you want it bundled all in one, Moodle can handle many of these tasks and more.

Furthermore, many of these can be installed with a few keystrokes and mouse clicks.

I am considering an experiment with my server, in which I may give a limited number of teachers to set up a cpanel account so that they can experience how surprisingly easy this is.

I simply do not believe that the main motive of Google is to make better products so much as it is to make more money. I was flabbergasted to see the price tag for marketing data involving this demographic segment. Google has among the worst policies for data retention among search engines, and has been playing cat and mouse with regulators regarding privacy statements.

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Permalink Reply by Jennifer on December 23, 2008 at 6:17am

My school uses Google Docs for our students to submit assignments to their teachers. Students type their work in the computer lab or at home then upload and share their document with the teacher. This allows students to continue working on a project they may not have had time to finish at one location without e-mailing it to themselves repeatedly.

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