Anyone using Google Apps for Education in a Primary school?

[PrimaryTech]

As per the title really, I'm looking into Google Apps for Education for a school I support and wondered if there were any primaries that have implemented it, specifically in the South West?

[bladedanny]

Hi, Not in the south west, but I use it here in both my schools, as do most of Sheffield primaries as the LA really pushed it when our previous contract ran out.

So far it's been great, web mail for everyone, outlook on office machines with calendars and mail box delegation (for info email and head calendar). School calendar embedded on our website.

It's great if everyone uses it, not so useful if staff don't really want to adopt it, but I guess that's down to your management team to push it.

[LeMarchand]

One of mine is (central south) but I have little to do with it. In there later if you want me to ask them anything.

[lindylou]

Some schools I support on SWGfL Merlin also use Google docs, the calendar etc, often embedded into Merlin so the children have a one-stop shop for everything. I'll PM you a contact at a Dorset First School that I know uses, or has used, some of the Google apps with children. He's into all kinds of web tools and apps to try in class.

[edutech4schools]

We are setting it up to replace our primary school VLE. The google site looks at first to be very basic but is really powerful if you learn how to use it.

[Kagemae]

Have you not had any concerns about the Data Protection Act?

DPA states that data has to be kept within the EU and I couldn't find any information about this when I looked into it.

We opted for Live@Edu instead. All data is held in Ireland. You get a 25GB Sky drive, 10GB Email, Groups plus Word, Excel, Powerpoint and One Note.

Having some issues integrating the SSO with SharePoint 2010 on our LA hosted domain but we're working on it. Eventually all pupils and teachers will have seamless access from their school portal.

[CyberNerd]

Have you not had any concerns about the Data Protection Act?

DPA states that data has to be kept within the EU and I couldn't find any information about this when I looked into it.

Thats not strictly true,
Sending personal data outside the European Economic Area (Principle 8)
the ICO says its fine provided:

Although the United States of America (US) is not included in the European Commission list, the Commission considers that personal data sent to the US under the “Safe Harbor” scheme is adequately protected.

Since Google,MS etc sign up to Safeharbour the ICO don't have a problem with DPA