Audience
This website has been designed to meet the criteria of Assignment 4 in Module B of ETEC 533: Technology in the Mathematics and Science Classroom (UBC MET) and as such many of the examples given will provide math and science teachers with ideas they can use in their classrooms. However, it should also be the case that teachers from other disciplines should benefit equally from gaining an increased familiarity with GAFE through the use of this tutorial.
In early discussions, a possible scenario involving a teacher wanting to introduce GAFE to the school district was discussed. However, upon further discussion, it evolved that the same tutorial could also serve as an introduction for teachers whose districts have recently adopted GAFE, or who simply want to become more familiar with its many functions.
In presenting GAFE materials, an effort was made to ensure that there was something for everyone. The tutorials and communities included will range from those suitable to the new GAFE user, to more advanced techniques for those who already have some basic familiarity with GAFE, but are looking for new ways to use it in their teaching.
Further, for those who are already using a LMS, it is our intention to let you see how GAFE compares to its competitors, and how it could further enhance teaching and learning in your classroom.
As teachers, one of the points of opposition in using GAFE is security and privacy for our students, as an email account is needed to work within GAFE. In BC, we are regulated by FOIPPA (Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act) which "covers what is referred to as local public bodies such as municipalities, universities, colleges and school boards, hospitals and health boards" (BC Ministry of Technology, Innovation and Citizens' Services, 2016).
It is important to note that when using GAFE, it is run from an administrator controlled dashboard, but Google takes responsibility for security, and "they spend a lot more money on security than any higher education institution" (Doherty, 2013). For a comprehensive look at Google's privacy and security commitments for education, follow this link.
The account through GAFE offers several security features that a regular google account does not (Curts, 2016):
These features, coupled with a signed, standard letter from home has been adequate for many of the BC school districts currently using GAFE when it comes to security and FOIPPA regulations.
In early discussions, a possible scenario involving a teacher wanting to introduce GAFE to the school district was discussed. However, upon further discussion, it evolved that the same tutorial could also serve as an introduction for teachers whose districts have recently adopted GAFE, or who simply want to become more familiar with its many functions.
In presenting GAFE materials, an effort was made to ensure that there was something for everyone. The tutorials and communities included will range from those suitable to the new GAFE user, to more advanced techniques for those who already have some basic familiarity with GAFE, but are looking for new ways to use it in their teaching.
Further, for those who are already using a LMS, it is our intention to let you see how GAFE compares to its competitors, and how it could further enhance teaching and learning in your classroom.
As teachers, one of the points of opposition in using GAFE is security and privacy for our students, as an email account is needed to work within GAFE. In BC, we are regulated by FOIPPA (Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act) which "covers what is referred to as local public bodies such as municipalities, universities, colleges and school boards, hospitals and health boards" (BC Ministry of Technology, Innovation and Citizens' Services, 2016).
It is important to note that when using GAFE, it is run from an administrator controlled dashboard, but Google takes responsibility for security, and "they spend a lot more money on security than any higher education institution" (Doherty, 2013). For a comprehensive look at Google's privacy and security commitments for education, follow this link.
The account through GAFE offers several security features that a regular google account does not (Curts, 2016):
- though GAFE, the age 13 limitation that applies to @gmail accounts is removed so that students of all ages can have an email but it is key to note that unlike regular @gmail accounts, the teacher has complete oversight of any emails that are sent or received using that account, and who emails can be sent and received from;
- these email accounts have a "bad word" filter;
- there are no adds and no ad scanning;
- the administrator/teacher does have the ability to restrict access to the google tools and can even control setting for certain users (Google+ is the exception, it cannot be accessed by those under 13);
- further control over who has access to anything produced within the GAFE tools by a school can be controlled by admin/teachers, meaning that it does not have to be in the public domain.
These features, coupled with a signed, standard letter from home has been adequate for many of the BC school districts currently using GAFE when it comes to security and FOIPPA regulations.