Drape's Takes - Latest Comments in Google Docs in Elementary Schools

Re: Google Docs in Elementary Schools

Darren Draper — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 14:45:32 -0000

Thank you for sharing this with us - do you know of a place where they have
come out and said this publicly and specifically?

Re: Google Docs in Elementary Schools

Diane Main — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 01:17:51 -0000

When I attended the Google Teacher Academy Reload (for the original Northern California November 2006 group) this past June, this topic came up. Google does not want people to ignore the age restriction. But since I am beginning Google Apps (Education Edition) this year with my students in 3rd-8th grade, I wanted to make sure I was being legal and ethical.

For students under 13, which most of mine are, you must have parental permission, in writing, for their children to participate.

Re: Google Docs in Elementary Schools

John Pearce — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 09:57:11 -0000

Hi Darren,

It is my understanding, via VoiceThread which also has a similar requirement, that in agreeing to terms and conditions a la most sites etc you are entering into a legally binding contract and that by law you cannot do this, (in the US at least where most of this is based), that you need to be 14 years old or over to do so. VoiceThread has an interesting take in that it allows teachers to setup accounts on behalf of students.

Re: Google Docs in Elementary Schools

Darren Draper — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 09:08:07 -0000

Strange and sad at the same time. I wonder why and suspect that the
ignorance of those blocking is largely a factor at play.

I need more help in understanding why a school wouldn't want access to these
tools - tools that have, in my experiences, become integral to both teaching
and learning.

Re: Google Docs in Elementary Schools

Mark — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 01:36:23 -0000

Great tool, great experience, but sadly it's been blocked at a state level where I work. (as have all online doc sharing sites.

Re: Google Docs in Elementary Schools

Tom Barrett — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 05:06:41 -0000

I agree, I think Google are completely aware of the use of their different services outside of the end user agreement.

We use the Education Apps Edition and the end user agreement for that does not stipulate any age limit, although as part of the service you have Google Docs. I presume that what you found only applies to using Google Docs as part of a private standard google account.

Here is the Ed Apps end user http://www.google.com/a/hel...

Re: Google Docs in Elementary Schools

Darren Draper — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 14:09:10 -0000

So that adds an interesting twist, knowing that Google knows and (that at
least one department at Google) doesn't really care about the age
restriction. Thank you for sharing, Brian, and you're right again: Learning
*is* messy!

Re: Google Docs in Elementary Schools

Brian Crosby — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 11:25:24 -0000

Sorry Darren. I wrote a lengthy reply last night that got lost when my internet connection went down. I can't rewrite it now but will add that you might be right about Google not caring themselves. They asked Lisa Parisi and I to write a post on the Google Docs blog about our project (that won an award at NECC btw) and they were well aware of the age of our students. The photo you used above is from that project. Here's the post:
http://googledocs.blogspot....

Learning is messy!

Re: Google Docs in Elementary Schools

Darren Draper — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 11:09:07 -0000

Yeah, these kinds of activities are great! And don't get me wrong, I don't
personally have a problem ignoring Google's TOS. In fact, I doubt even
Google cares about the rule. I suspect they have put it in their to cover
themselves.

I guess I just wonder how we cover ourselves.

Must we tell parents of the age restriction we are planning to ignore?

Re: Google Docs in Elementary Schools

suz — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 06:35:19 -0000

OT comment, sorry - Jsut wanted to let you know I've tagged you for a blogging award http://suzanne-catching-up....

Re: Google Docs in Elementary Schools

Nancy Bosch — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 21:37:36 -0000

We used Google docs for a writers workshop last Spring with written permission from parents. My co-teacher set up gmail accounts so all would run smoothly. Don't think she ever saw the restriction, I'll ask her. We used the emails for the project and by the end of the 6 week period some of the gmail accounts were receiving innapropriate emails and spam. We deleted all the accounts and went with epals. We'd used Oracle's Think.com for 5 years but they are no longer providing email. OK, so off topic....the docs part went fine, even though we had ignored the TOS.

Re: Google Docs in Elementary Schools

bethstill — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 18:24:31 -0000

I am still trying to figure out why Google "Education" version has widgets that are incredibly inapproproate for ANY educational setting. I LOVE GoogleApps, but had to settle on Gaggle for email to satisfy eRate/CIPA requirements. All of my students are 16-19 years old so they are well over the age limit put in place by Google, but I just wanted to warn other educators that just because a company claims something in educational does not mean it is appropriate!

Re: Google Docs in Elementary Schools

Teacher — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 13:21:08 -0000

Is Zoho the same way? Maybe it is time for teachers to create something? (That is out of my ability). Thanks for the information, I didn't see that either, fine print and all :)

Re: Google Docs in Elementary Schools

Rick — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 12:31:42 -0000

I'm an elementary counselor, and I hadn't seen the under-13 requirement before. I use Google Docs with our older kids (4th and 5th graders) for polling about various things. Technically, the kids are using it with adult supervision close at hand, so I wonder if that counts? I'd like to look into this a little more.

Re: Google Docs in Elementary Schools

Josh Allen — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 12:21:09 -0000

How long before Google Apps opens a K-12 or K-6 Apps site that is more restricted? Similar to a Gaggle that has all of the same content that can be monitored by teachers.