Filtering/Security

Hi all,

I want to incorporate GoogleApps in my classroom, and eventually branch out into the rest of the school (grades 6-8). I have been getting some resistance from administrators in regard to security/filtering. Since you guys have experience with this, what have you found that works and doesn't work? Have you had issues with students posting inappropriate things? What types of policies do you have in place, and how much does Google have built into the Apps for Education in regard to security/filtering?

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Permalink Reply by Derrick Waddell on August 17, 2010 at 9:12pm

I don't use Facebook personally, so I set up the page with a fake username. However, our Senior Sponsor and Guidance Counselor both have admin access to the fan page through their personal FB accounts. The dummy account doesn't follow anyone, so there's no feed to worry about. Does that answer your question?

Permalink Reply by Jeffrey Ross on August 3, 2010 at 7:04am

Roger,
Thanks much for the information! Your site might just be the kind of example that allows us to open the door to GoogleApps, at least in my classroom (hopefully).

Permalink Reply by Anne Jeschke on August 17, 2010 at 8:41pm

Great idea, Roger. I do have a question though, don't your parents have to sign AUPs for student access?

Permalink Reply by Derrick Waddell on July 31, 2010 at 12:11am

We went through the same process over the last two years. I began by incorporating Apps into my computer applications classes, then moved the high school onto Apps midway through last year. Our district took notice and moved employees (teachers, admin, etc.) onto apps this summer.

My district's email policy is a bit strict, so to appease everyone in charge, I had to be fairly harsh with our Postini settings. I actually set up a filter in Postini to block all outgoing and incoming mail from any address other than our school's domain. That way, they can't get emails about Viagra, and they can't send emails to anyone who isn't another student or teacher. I also set up content filters in Postini that block profanity, vulgarity, etc.

Here's a PDF with instructions for setting up the domain-only Postini filter that I created for some other schools in our system. You're welcome to use and share if you'd like: Filter Domain Only.

Good luck with the move to Apps. I love it! Thanks to Apps, my computer applications classes have been completely paperless for the last two years, and I'm hoping to move my other classes to paperless this year. If I can ever help in any way, just let me know. You can find me here on Classroom 2.0, email me at dwaddell@teachthecloud.com, or message me on Twitter, @TeachTheCloud. Good luck!

Permalink Reply by Anne Jeschke on August 17, 2010 at 8:51pm

Derrick,
Your filter domain only directions are just what I've been looking for - I think - I don't think we use Postini - can these same steps be used with other filtering options?

Permalink Reply by Derrick Waddell on August 17, 2010 at 9:07pm

You should be able to use the same basic steps for other filtering options. I used the same ones to filter out profanity.

Permalink Reply by Jeffrey Ross on July 31, 2010 at 10:46am

I also want to incorporate GoogleApps, but email is a contentious issue. My admins are also supportive, but I need some strong privacy protocols to sell the idea of student emails at my school. I'm looking over the links information right now, but my immediate question is can I start a school domain and institute it in my classroom exclusively, at least initially?

Permalink Reply by Derrick Waddell on July 31, 2010 at 10:59am

Yes. You have complete control over how many accounts are issued and to whom they are issued. I did the same in just my computer applications classes first, then about a year later moved to the entire school.

Permalink Reply by Jeffrey Ross on August 3, 2010 at 6:56am

Derrick,
Per your reply to Lori, am I right to assume that I can use my edublog as the "site" for my google apps? Does the website act as a "portal" to GoogleApps? Thank you for the information; this has been very helpful!

Permalink Reply by Roger Grant on August 3, 2010 at 7:29am

No you do not own the edublog domain name. Here's the easiest way to do it. Follow the link below to google and they will do the registration and initial set up. When you register the domain name use the school address. When you are done you will have a standard version of google apps, not education. You need to apply for an upgrade to Google Apps for Education. Once you apply don't expect to hear from Google for about 4 weeks.

http://www.google.com/a/cpanel/domain/new

Permalink Reply by Jeffrey Ross on August 3, 2010 at 7:44am

Yes, I understand now. That was explained on the google signup materials. Thanks for the clarification.

Permalink Reply by Jeffrey Ross on August 4, 2010 at 7:27am

Hi Roger,
Sorry to keep asking for information I should be able to find at Google, but quite frankly, I can't find where you can apply for an education account. I used the school's address, but I am not the IT administrator for the school, so I'm not sure how I can proceed with the request. I'm wondering if this implies that I need to create a domain and site so I can actively manage the site for my class?