1. What is G Suite for Education?
Google Workspace is a collection of free online applications. These applications do not reside on the computer, itself, but rather they are accessed through a web browser. This is considered working in the "cloud". The benefit of this structure allows flexibility in accessing documents and projects from ANY computer, or mobile device with Internet access. Staff and students can access their school documents from the lab, the classroom, the public library, and even from home!
Google Workspace for Education is a special setup of the popular Google applications tailored specifically for educational institutions. For example, accounts are managed by the school district (and not by Google), and advertisements are all turned off. All students will be given Moline GMail accounts as long as the students AND parents have signed the AUP and the Google Apps for Education Procedure.
Please visit the Google Workspace for Education Benefits page for more information.
2. Why did the district choose G Suite for Education?
It is free for unlimited accounts.
Google Docs is an excellent suite of powerful programs.
Google Docs is constantly adding new features.
Google Docs removes compatibility issues.
Google Docs allows for any time, anywhere access.
Google Docs allows for collaboration and sharing.
Microsoft Office can still be used in conjunction with Google Docs.
Many people, schools, and businesses already use Google Docs.
MSD faculty and staff use GAFE.
3. How is Workspace different from regular GMAIL accounts?
Google Workspace offers the same collaboration applications and standard GMAIL accounts but provides our school district with an Administrative Console that allows us to manage all Moline School District accounts. For a complete list of student restrictions, please see this page.
4. Who can email my student?
Only 11th and 12th-grade students have the ability to send or receive email from an address that is not @molineschools.org (known as our domain). The following rules are provisioned per grade level:
- Grades K-2 do not have access to email, but they can access Google Docs and Presentations
- Grades 3-4 can only send/receive email to/from a specific list managed by the District
- Grades 5-10 can email anyone to/from domain (@molineschools.org) addresses unless explicitly allowed via a district-maintained allowed list.
- Grades 11-12 are allowed full access to send/receive email.
5. Where does my student's Workspace data reside? Who has access to it?
The district has entered into a privacy agreement by hosting its email and collaboration applications with Google. The complete Privacy Statement can be viewed here. The Moline School District does not host any of the Google Applications internally. Google provides all of the hardware and storage. Through the agreed Privacy Policy, Google will never access district data unless expressly asked for data backup, recovery, or storage troubleshooting.
The Educational Technology Department and the child's teacher have access to the child's passwords, which are a combination of the child's grad year, last name, first name, and Student ID. It is up to the students to keep this password safe and report any misuse of their password.
6. Will my student's Google account be suspended when school is not in session?
Accounts will remain active as long as the student is enrolled in the Moline-Coal Valley School District. Accounts will be deleted 30 days after they leave the school (either through moving or graduation).
7. What governmental laws and policies are the Moline-Coal Valley CUSD 40 required to follow?
Child Internet Protection Act (CIPA)
The school is required by CIPA to have technology measures and policies in place that protect students from harmful materials, including those that are obscene and pornographic. This means that student internet access is filtered. Websites containing harmful content from inappropriate sites will be blocked.
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CIPA - http://fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/cipa.html
Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA)
COPPA applies to commercial companies and limits their ability to collect personal information from children under 13. By default, Google advertising is turned off for Apps for Education users. No personal student information is collected for commercial purposes.
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COPPA - http://www.ftc.gov/privacy/coppafaqs.shtm
8. What specific information is contained within my student's education record that is stored online?
The Moline School District stores almost all student records online within Skyward (our student information system) and Educlimber (our data warehouse system). These applications are hosted internally and behind the district's firewall. Student information that may be hosted by Google as part of their GMAIL account includes the student's first name, last name, graduation year, and a portion of the student ID (for their password).
Students will have the opportunity to use GMAIL, Docs, and Sites as a collaborative tool, and data may be stored as part of their assignments and general use of GAFE. The Moline School District pays an annual fee to provide archiving, backup and restoring the functionality of ALL Gmail. Vault DOES NOT archive or backup Google Docs at this time.
For more information about what is included in a student record, please see the Illinois Student Records Act (http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=1006&ChapterID=17).
9. How does the Moline-Valley CUSD 40 plan to protect my child from being bullied by these services?
Cyber Bullying is specifically addressed in the student Acceptable Use Policy (found here) under section 6:235 - AP 1 Page 3 and 4. The use of GAFE requires students to understand how to use these services responsibly, ethically, and legally. Please contact your child's teacher for more information about specific lessons related to GAFE practices.