The Google Apps Marketplace offers products and services designed for Google users, including installable apps that integrate directly with Google Apps. Installable apps are easy to use because they include single sign-on, Google’s universal navigation, and some even include features that integrate with your domain’s data.
Google recently launched an education category in the Google Apps Marketplace designed to help schools and universities discover and deploy new web applications that integrate with their existing Google Apps accounts.
According to Google, the new education category includes over 20 applications ranging from learning management systems (LMS) to student tools and teaching aids – all of which integrate with Google Apps for Education. Each app can be accessed through single sign-on and the Google universal navigation bar and many offer deeper integrations that synchronize with Google Calendar and Documents.
This is welcome addition for those who work in education. The new education category will make it easier for schools to access web apps at their fingertips.
Learning Management
- Haiku: an LMS that allows teachers to create media-rich class websites, give and auto-grade assessments, annotate assignments and interact online with students.
- LearnBoost: an all-in-one gradebook and lesson plan software for teachers that includes tools to visualize data and student performance.
- And other classroom management tools such as eduARC, Class.io, PlanbookEdu, ThinkWave SIS and Applane SIS, gradebooks such as Engrade and ThinkWave Gradebook, and assessment tools such as EduBrite and RCampus iRubric.
Learning Aids
- BrainPOP: an app that offers animated, curriculum-based content that enhances student learning in numerous ways, from illustrating complex concepts to reviewing before a test.
- DreamBox: a tool that helps students learn math through interactive lessons and gives teachers reporting dashboards to monitor individual student progress.
- And other teaching aids like Grockit, BuzzMath and LearnThatWord.
Student and Admin Tools
- EasyBib: an automatic bibliography composer that helps students format sources quickly and accurately to cite in papers.
- Digication: an online e-Portfolio creation tool that helps students share and showcase their work and achievements online.
- And other student and admin tools like Aviary, Edutone Sakai Connector, Edutone Moodle Connector, Leveled Library and Rcampus e-Portfolio.
Learning Technologies
I am familiar with many Google Apps such as Google Map, Google Docs, and Google Scholar. Google has developed many useful online applications. However, I never heard of Google Apps Marketplace before reading Dr. Yuen’s blog. After reading his blog, I visited Google Apps Marketplace and have learned that Google Apps Marketplace not only offer tools in education category but also provide variety tools for other categories. I am amazed with Google Apps Marketplace. In my opinion, several useful applications for other categories are worth exploring as well.
Dr. Yuen listed approximately 20 Google Apps under education category ranging from learning management systems (LMS) to student tools and teaching aids. Dr. Yuen furthered explained that “each app can be accessed through single sign-on and the Google universal navigation bar and many offer deeper integrations that synchronize with Google Calendar and Documents”. In addition to its easy to use, I believe these tools will be useful for students and educators. I realized that several applications are for K-12 only. Also, I found that many applications are free. I saw that these tools have received positive reviews and comments. I actually would like to adopt some of applications such as Digication e-Portfolio, Rcampus e-Portfolio, Rcampus iRubric, BrainPOP, and Easy Bib in my class in order to enhance student learning experience and learning outcome. However, it is not up to me to decide which of these wonderful applications my school will adopt. I can only hope that they select the tools I have in mind for my class.