We have for over a year been using the Google Suite of Apps for Education to support learning with children in P6 and P7. Children have individual logins that give them access to online apps such as Google Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides, Forms & Quizzes, MyMaps and Sites. (They are not given access to Google Mail through their school accounts.)
There are several benefits that children receive from using these apps and the benefits from being able to collaborate with each other effectively are outstanding. Please watch this short video clip of how we are already successfully using Google Suite with P6 and P7 children (from 6 minutes 40 seconds):
Following the success of using Google Suite with P6 and P7 children, we are now going to extend its use to children in P5. The children will be given individual PDO School domain logins (e.g. name@pdoschool.com) and passwords. This will not give them access to email but will allow them to create through Google Drive, documents and presentations etc. which they will be able to share with others and work on simultaneously. For example, the class might make and edit a slide show online using Google Slides with a couple of children each researching and making one individual slide together.
The use of Google Suite will also allow the children to develop their understanding of the need to behave responsibly online as part of becoming responsible digital citizens. They will each be asked to agree to the following terms before being given their logins:
- I will remember my password
- I will not share my password with other children
- I will accept responsibility for everything done using my login
- I understand that my teachers will have full access to my account and all of its history
- I will always be considerate and respectful towards others with all documents online just as I would with any other written work in class
We are excited by the possibilities for new exciting ways of learning together and believe the children will both enjoy and benefit from the experience.
