GEUG14 - Google Apps for Education European User Group 2014

Many Higher Education Institutes worldwide have 'gone Google' and now use Google Apps for Education (GAFE). Following the success of GEUG12 and GUUG11, The University of York invites academic and support staff to this year’s European User Group Meeting on 23 and 24 June.

York was one of the first to move to Google for students and staff, and we're keen to pool our knowledge and learn from others. We've hosted smaller groups to share experiences with other institutions, and we're now pleased to be home to this much larger event.

At the time of writing, we have 72 people attending from 29 institutes in England, Scotland, Ireland, Malta, Denmark and Austria. Registration closes on 9 June, so there is still time to increase our numbers. If you are a current customer of Google Apps or are interested in learning more sign-up while you still have the chance.

The day and a half event will feature sessions from different Universities, the Association for Learning Technology (ALT) and Google. They will focus on using Google Apps in learning environments, business procedures and the support side. Topics include cloud computing, Google Analytics, Google Apps Script, Google Drive, bringing on board unhappy staff and more.

Starting the meeting off will be Matthew Collins, a lecturer in Archaeology at the University of York. His keynote speech, Living in the Cloud, will discuss how GAFE can be used in an undergraduate module and explore the advantages and pitfalls of doing so. Matthew is a keen user of GAFE and uses it in his teaching modules as well as to collaborate in projects across the world.

One highlight of the meeting will be the Google Roadmap, which is a closed session on Tuesday 24 June, open to current customers of Google Apps only. Presented by Ross Mahon, Strategic Partnerships Manager at Google, the Roadmap will cover some of the things in store for the Apps suite.

ALT Award winner Gary Wood will be giving a presentation and workshop - Google in Learning & Teaching: A Case Study All About Linguistics - on how he used the Google Apps suite to facilitate authentic learning opportunities and build inclusive communities of learning, leading to him receiving national recognition from Google and ALT. The session will demonstrate the work of All About Linguistics and the workshop on offer will give delegates the opportunity to learn more about the tools used.

For those who have not yet 'gone Google' or are looking to delve further into the world of GAFE there are multiple sessions describing experiences of this transition. Brian Morrissey's session The Big Move describes the University College Dublin staff transition to Google Mail. Mally Mclane from the University of Bristol will use his session Calendar, Guided by the Principles to tell us how the University went from having no calendar to everyone using Google Calendar in 48 hours - and still managed to keep everyone sane.

On the topic of keeping people sane and happy, and dealing with those who aren’t so happy, Joanne Casey from the University of York will give a session on how to bring users on board with GAFE - even the ones who tell you You've ruined my life!

Check out the rest of the programme...

GEUG14 is supported by Google, with exhibits by Ancoris and Paperpile who will be present to discuss their products. Ancoris will be demonstrating Appogee Leave and have Chromebooks on hand for delegates to try. Paperpile, a reference management tool, will be around to answer any questions about their Add-on.

What: GEUG14 - Google Apps for Education European User Group Meeting
When: Monday 23 - Tuesday 24 June 2014
Where: The Ron Cooke Hub, University of York, UK
Website: www.york.ac.uk/geug14
Who: Kimi Smith
Twitter: @GEUG14