G Suite (Formerly Google Apps for Education): Frequently Asked Questions

About G Suite

What is G Suite?

LCPS G Suite is an integrated communication and collaboration solution, hosted by Google and managed by LCPS. G Suite will provide the ability for LCPS students, faculty and staff to communicate, store files and collaborate on documents, spreadsheets, and presentations in real time from school, work, or home, all within a secure online environment.

How will it be used?

G Suite will provide the ability for students and teachers to store files and collaborate on documents, spreadsheets, and presentations in real time from school or home within an online environment. The use of these tools is optional, and intended to provide an approved and supportable alternative to “consumer” Google accounts.

What can my student/child do with Google Apps?

Students will have easy access to their documents, spreadsheets, and presentations within Google Docs. In addition, students will have additional storage for other files they may need to use between home and school. As the use of LCPS G Suite continues, there may be other features that are added within G Suite. You will be informed about any significant changes to the tools your student is using in the secure LCPS environment.

Costs and Fees

How much is LCPS paying for this?

Google Apps for Education is free to LCPS.

Computer Access

What if I don’t have a computer, how is my child going to get to use it?

Loudoun County Public Schools supplies access to all web-based resources by providing devices in school and open-wireless Internet access in all buildings for student provided devices. These resources include LoudounVision, G Suite, StudentVue and Office365. As LCPS G Suite is safe and web based, it can be accessed from the public library or other places where computers are available. LCPS does not supply devices for student home use at this time.

Should I get my child their own computer?

The use of LCPS G Suite does not require students to have their own computer or any other personal device. That is an individual family decision.

How will my child access LCPS G Suite?

With teacher guidance, students must first activate their G Suite account and set their password from a computer at school. Once the student has an active account, They can login by:

Go to drive.google.com and log in using his or her full G Suite login address (studentid@locker.lcps.org) and password.
Google Chrome is the LCPS recommended browser for G Suite. Learn more about other supported browsers at http://support.google.com/a/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=33864.

Why can’t my child e-mail me with this account?

LCPS had not enabled this service for students.

My child already has a Gmail account, why can't they use that one?

LCPS G Suite Mail is not currently enabled. Currently, your student will only be able to use this account for production of documents and in Google Classroom. Using their LCPS account will allow them to collaborate with other students in our secure environment more easily. You will not be able to email your student at his or her @locker.lcps.org address, nor will he or she be able to email you.

Do these apps work on an iPad or other tablet?

G Suite documents may be edited using a mobile browser. Please see Google's support documentation for support of your device.
http://support.google.com/drive/?hl=en#topic=2375071

Parent Access

Can parents use it?

Currently only LCPS employees and LCPS students can access G Suite .

Can I see what my child is doing on Google Apps?

Will there be a Parent View account? No there is not a Parent View account. Parents are encouraged to explore Google Apps with their children by logging in together. You will be able to have your student log in to his or her LCPS Google account at home and show you what they are currently working on in class, as well as items that have been “turned in” and commented on by the teacher.

Privacy and Security

Online security – How protected is my student from outside people?

LCPS takes security and privacy of student information very seriously. LCPS G Suite is not accessible by anyone outside of LCPS, unless documents are purposely shared. Your student will be able to work and collaborate in a safe and secure online environment.

What are the privacy regulations?

LCPS and Google Apps for Education comply with legal requirements for safety and security such as the Child Internet Protection Act (CIPA), Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Additional information about GAFE security & privacy may be found at https://www.google.com/edu/trust/index.html and additional information at:http://www.google.com/enterprise/apps/education/benefits.html

Who has access to my child’s account?

The G Suite Terms of Service agreement with LCPS contractually ensures that our institution (students, faculty, and staff) are the sole owners of their data. Google will only access content stored on Apps when an administrator from LCPS grants Google explicit permission to do so. One example would be to investigate inappropriate use.

Does my child retain copyright of their creations?
The same copyright rules apply to content in G Suite that would apply to any other creation, provided the student is the sole owner.

What protection will LCPS provide so that my child is not accessing inappropriate content on the web?
There are no advertisements used with Google Apps for Education. G Suite is an online collaboration tool that is accessed using a web browser and requires a login and password.

G Suite in the Classroom

What apps are available and how can I expect my child’s teacher to use them?

LCPS Google Apps for Education will provide students with secure and easy online access to documents, spreadsheet, presentation and communication tools that can be accessed easily from home or school and enhance teacher and student collaboration in the classroom and beyond.

Teachers can use Google Docs to facilitate group projects and use the history tool to see the level of participation of each student in a group. Teachers will be able to give feedback to students directly in documents shared with a teacher. Turning in assignments will be as easy as sharing the file in Google Docs with the teacher.

What if another student deletes their work?

The owner is the only person who can delete a document. Once a document is deleted, no one can access it, including those with whom it was shared.

How will Google Apps reflect in their grade?

The use of G Suite will not in itself impact grades. Consult with your child’s teachers about individual class requirements.

Why is Google necessary for the students; can’t the teachers just answer the students’ questions?

The use of G Suite is another tool LCPS provides to help students and teachers communicate, collaborate, apply critical thinking skills, and work creativity. Teachers will continue to answer students’ questions in the classroom. G Suite provide students an additional opportunity to ask a teacher question electronically, helping students learn to communication in a real world environment.

Why Use Google Apps for Education?

Why is the school system doing this?

"Digital Citizenship” and “21st Century Skills” are concepts which help teachers, technology leaders and parents to understand what students/children/technology users should know to use technology appropriately. Digital Citizenship and 21st Century Skills are more than just a teaching tool; using these tools can be a way to prepare students/technology users for a society full of technology. Too often we are seeing students as well as adults misusing and abusing technology but not sure what to do. The issue is more than what the users do not know but what is considered appropriate technology usage.”

What is the value of G Suite?

Students and teachers can open and edit their documents quickly. No more distractions like USB keys, outdated file attachments, or confusing client software. Anytime, anywhere access Google Docs lets users be productive at school, at home, and even on their mobile phones. Because Google Docs runs in a web browser, students can work from almost any family computer without having to purchase new software. Easily upload and share files Google Docs works on PC, Mac, and Linux computers, and supports popular formats such as .doc, .xls, .ppt, and .pdf. Files stored on Google Docs are always accessible and backed-up online. Smarter commenting, better feedback Google Docs' intuitive commenting feature is ideal for instructor and collaborator feedback. Revision history allows users to review document edits over time.

Heritage High School

Technology Integration

Heritage High School Tech Team

Technology Resource

Student Resources

Digital Story and Video Creators

Google Apps for Education