Google in Berkeley Schools Classrooms
Berkeley Unified School District utilized Google Workspace for Education extensively in the learning environment. This includes the use of Chromebooks as student learning devices with associated Google accounts for all students grades K through 12.
Google Workspace for Education Services
These Google services are covered under the Google Workspace for Education License and Berkeley Schools plans to make them available to all students, either currently or in the near future:
AppSheet: Build applications without coding.
- Calendar: Scheduling tool.
- Classroom: Primary learning management system, used for assigning tasks and learning materials, and turning in assignments
- Cloud Search: Search for resources with the organization
- Drive and Docs: A suite of productivity tools including text documents, spreadsheets, and slide decks.
- Gemini: A generative AI tool used for research and creation of text, images and short videos, expected to be released to students in December of 2025.
- Gmail: Allows students in grades 6 to 12 to send and receive emails inside and outside of the district.
- Google Chat: May be disabled at some schools, an instant messaging service for communicating within the district.
- Google Chrome Sync: Allows students to sync the files and settings for their district account with multiple devices
- Google Meet: Videoconferencing app, generally, students are allowed to join a Google Meet but not to initiate one.
- Keep: A note-taking and organization tool.
- Migrate: Allows students to move their documents and emails to a personal account when they leave the district.
- Notebook LM: A generative AI tool that allows students to specify the sources used to generate responses, expected to be released to students in December of 2025.
- Read Along: An instructional tool for helping students learn to read.
- Sites: A website hosting service.
- Tasks: An organization tool to help track tasks.
Additional Google Services
These Google Services require additional permissions. In situations where this is used in the classroom, the teacher will provide permission in lieu of the parent. Parents who do not wish their students to access these services must notify their Principal to have it removed from the student’s account.
- Applied Digitial Skills: Online digital literacy curriculum.
- Chrome Web Store: Needed to install some of the applications listed here. Students have access to a limited set of applications.
- Colab: Coding tools used in some programming classes.
- Google Earth: A software program that creates a 3D representation of Earth using satellite imagery, aerial photography, and other geographic data.
- Google Groups: Allows communication with assigned groups of district users.
- Google Maps: A digital mapping tool that allows overlays from multiple sources including satellite imagery.
- Google My Maps: Allows users to create and share custom maps by adding points, drawing shapes, and embedding images or videos.
- Google News: A news-site aggregration service.
- Google Photos: Store, organize and edit digital images.
- Google Translate: Used to translate text to or from multiple languages.
- Looker Studio: Data visualization tools.
- Material Gallery: A collaborative tool for designers to share, review, and provide feedback on design work.
- Search and Assistant: Expanded Google Search with voice commands.
- YouTube: Instructional videos from various sources. Students have access to a restricted subset of videos.
