In April, the Oregon Department of Education announced that its 540,000 public school students would have access to Google Apps for Education, which includes free eMail and collaborative tools, in a deal expected to save the state’s schools about $1.5 million a year in software licensing and hosting fees.
Earlier this month, Google Apps also won the endorsement of Iowa and Colorado, which will offer the tools and training to their public schools.
Microsoft said in June that the Kentucky Department of Education has implemented Live@edu, its answer to Google Apps for Education, for its 700,000 students, teachers, and staff throughout the state—saving districts an estimated $6.3 million in software licensing and management costs over four years.
Links:
Google Blog
Note to readers:
Don’t forget to visit the Securing Student Laptops for Safe Learning resource center. Technology is an essential part of a 21st-century education for both teachers and students, and district 1-to-1 computing initiatives and laptop lending programs are on the rise. Most of the focus falls on how these mobile computers and handheld devices will help enhance teaching and learning. However, how a district manages its technology can have a significant impact on its budget. Go to:
Securing Student Laptops for Safe Learning
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