Lawrence,

Thank you for sharing the findings of your study involving Google Apps for Education (GAFE). I found your research quite intriguing and am sure most agree that any university or person who plans to be invoved in higher education presently and in the future needs to accept the role of technology in that endeavor. Cloud computing has been a part of business for several years now, so its involvement in education is understandable and welcomed. Microsoft's Office 365 has been a competitor of Google Apps in the business world. I wonder if you would consider it a competitor with GAFE. After all, many of the same features, such as productivity concerns and document management are quite similar between the two. I look forward to your answer.

Priscilla

Priscilla Bamba, PhD

Full-Time Online Faculty

Grand Canyon University

Lawrence,

This is a very interesting study. I believe that 21st Century students are very tech savvy and they enjoy collaborating using tools such as Google Apps. I have used several of them myself, and it really opens up possibilities. I like your suggestions for further research as well. I believe that we would see that there are benefits to using these types of tools in both online and traditional face-to-face classrooms. Thank you for sharing your study.

Rick

Dr. Awuah,

I appreciate your approach to this topic. It is interesting to note that the students used for this research were either IT or computer science students, who are typically well-versed in use of technology. I am curious how results would generalize to all students regardless of their designated major, which you address also. Thank you for sharing your work. I am also curious how the rapid changes in technology will impact this study over time.

Ron Summerhill

Dr. Awuah,

I enjoyed reviewing your article. I think this paper will inspire instructors to consider integrating the use of Google Apps into instruction. I like that you addressed confidentiality and security issues since these are two major concerns when student information is involved. It would certainly be interesting to see how well various populations adopt Google Apps. A comparison between the adoption of Google Apps in different instructional modalities would also be a topic for further research.

Shelley Evans

Dr. Awuah,

Thanks for your paper and sharing your findings. I thought it was well written and easy to follow. I am good with technology, but research like this reminds me that I have to keep abreast of newest trends and applications (pun intended). I am currently working on a research project with colleague concerning technology literacy and this research will contribute to my discussion about the students' current literacy ceiling. Thanks Dr. B.

Hello Dr. Awuah,

I just read your paper and found it to be very insightful, practical, and timely. Technology is changing traditional education. Your study on Google Apps demonstrates the potential to reach students with high technology literacy. Educators look for innovative solutions to engage students. Your GAFE research supports the idea of using this type of technology for students of various learning styles. This technology has the potential to engage students of the digital generation and improve teaching and learning.

Alan Guthrie

Hello Priscilla, Rick, Ron, Shelley, Dr. B., and Alan:

Sorry for the delay in responding to all of your reviews and responses to my paper. I received an email today informing me of the paper being posted on the CIRT website for interactive public review and discussion. When I submitted the paper back in August, I was told it would be posted during the month of October. I see that your posts came in seven weeks ago. I am not sure if this timestamp is due to technical glitches.

Anyway, I thank all of you for your time in reviewing and adding your voice to my paper. I am hoping to review your feedback and suggestions and incorporate that into my research. I welcome your input pertaining to scope, focus, implications, and quality of writing, adopted style, among others.

I am happy to share my experience using GAFE with you, and possibly seek your recommendation and feedback. I have employed GAFE by developing course websites for my classes by incorporating most components of Google Apps (Google sites, drive, emails, calendar, group, Google hangout, etc). This research study follows the practical experience in using the GAFE apps.

I am in the process of exploring broader potential interests among students and faculties on the effective use of GAFE. I believe this aligns with the Google's long term plans in improving ITC application in education. As most Universities are currently employing technology in the various programs, effectively incorporating these apps in the classroom has so far made significant progress. From experience, this strategy of enhancing teaching and learning using GAFE has gained traction among students, faculties and school administrators.

Please do let me know if you have any question, or need additional details. Your feedback and suggestions are appreciated.