Gmail in the Classroom

There are many ways Gmail can used within the classroom.  Gmail is a great tool to use to be able to efficiently communicate with students and parents.  The translation feature in Google Labs will help to even be able to communicate with my families where English is a second language.  Chatting through Gmail will allow students and parents to be able to ask questions at home whether that be about homework or other concerns.  I think the task bar would be a great tool to use to list the homework for the day or the week.  As the teacher, I personally would use a filter for incoming mail with specific labels for each student and/or his/her family to help keep me organized.  

We have an interesting wrinkle in our alternative classrooms, i.e., our program does not allow students to use email of any kind. Our students reside in a shelter setting and our on-site classroom, supplied by our Area Education Agency, has policies and procedures designed to keep the student's communications safe and confidential. However, we would be able to use other Google tools.