WHS will be piloting Google Apps For Education this spring for its projected launch this fall. The move follows the lead of colleges including New York University and Harvard University, according to gafeclass.com.
“We’re making it official: we are a Google school,” said Pizzi.
Students and faculty will now be able to save their work to Google Cloud. From the Cloud, documents can be shared with others in the building.
“Every student and teacher will be able to collaborate on Google Docs,” said Pizzi. “The Cloud storage… allows for consistency, security and a unified vision of instructional technology.” This application can also be used for essay grading and feedback.
According to Pizzi, unlike the Edline website, which requires teachers to use its platform for web page design, GAFE will not be mandatory. GAFE will be piloted with several teachers who volunteer, but next year, the district will offer GAFE to every teacher and student, giving them the option to use the program as they see fit.
WHS is not the only school interested in adding Google to its educational systems. Pizzi said that Milburn High School and the West Morris school district have already implemented GAFE.
Latin Teacher Mr. James Rowan said, “I think because Google is a very powerful tool, it will be able to help people with all sorts of research.”
Students also said that they are looking forward to using GAFE. Senior Nelly Sandeep said, “I think GAFE will really help student productivity because Google is a platform we already know how to use.”