What is Google Workspace for Education?

Google Workspace for Education is a Google platform designed specifically with education in mind. While it is based on many of the popular Google functions available to consumers, it provides a controlled environment in which school systems can manage the collaborative environment for students. FCPS students, faculty, and staff can communicate, store files and collaborate on documents, spreadsheets and presentations. Collaboration can occur in real-time, all within a secure FCPS-managed online environment. The use of these tools provides an approved alternative to consumer Google accounts. Google Workspace for Education includes the following apps for students: Calendar, Classroom, Contacts, Draw, Drive, Docs, Keep, Forms, Mail, Sheets, Slides, Sites, and Tasks.

Anytime, anywhere access to Google Workspace allows users be productive at school, at home, and on mobile devices. Google Workspace works on PC, Mac, and Linux computers, and supports popular formats such as .doc, .xls, .ppt, and .pdf. Files stored on Google Workspace are always accessible and backed up online.

How is Google Workspace for Education different than the consumer Google account?

• Google Workspace is compliant with Federal student privacy laws.
• Your personal Google account will allow you to reach out to anyone, anywhere. When logged in to an FCPS Google Workspace account, you can generally only share access to Drive, Calendars, Docs and more with others in the FCPS domain. There are a few limited exceptions to this rule for specific instructional programs.
• Your personal Google account has limited storage capacity. There is unlimited storage within Google Workspace for Education.
• Your personal Google account may have cookie tracking and tailored ads within the environment. There is no advertising in Google Workspace.