(SIOUX CITY, IA) - The storage Sioux City Schools are about to offer online puts a locker to shame.
Roughly 7,000 middle and high-school students will receive 10 gigabytes of e-mail storage each this fall. "It also gives our teachers a means to engage in different ways, a richer ability to collaborate when you're not in the classroom," explained Sioux City Schools Technology Director Neil Schroeder.
Schroeder and about five other people started work on the project a year ago. Students tested similar products from Microsoft and Google, and staff decided to roll out the Microsoft product because of its expanded options and familiarity to students. Microsoft's free product offers the e-mail storage plus 25 gigabytes of media storage for papers and projects.
This fall each student will take a class about the software, e-mail etiquette and acceptable use. Once each has opened their online account, district filters will keep kids' accounts safe. "We can actually reject mail that has any number of swear words or hate speech we can search for those phrases and not even let it out," explained Schroeder.
It's up to teachers how to use the system, for assignments, help or not at all. Schroeder thinks, though, it's a teaching tool that will help students at school and work for years to come.
