Google Apps for Education

Google is now offering a service to educational institutions to permit branding and account management for Gmail, Google Calendar and Google Chat. Here are some of the applications Google suggests:

Gmail - Give students email with huge storage capacity, less spam, search tools to help them find information fast and built-in instant messaging.

Google Talk - Keep students in contact even when not on campus with instant messaging and voice calling over the Web.

Google Calendar - Help students stay on top of their schedules, share plans with others and keep up-to-date on campus events.

There is currently a beta period where institutions that sign up will get free access. This seems to imply that there will be a charge for latecomers.

Now if Google will just create an assessment module, Course Management Systems like WebCT will have trouble justifying their price tag.

Thanks to Stewart Mader for the link.