PressEthic

Soon-to be all-powerful Google is turning to school classrooms to test out its free software service, the Associated Press reported Sunday.

As part of a growth spurt that seems to show no limit in sight, Google now offers word-processing and other office applications that are not confined onto one’s individual desktop but instead operate from cyberspace. Information created on these programs is automatically stored into Google-owned data center that makes user-created documents available from any computer with an internet connection. Unlike Microsoft Office that costs about $150 even at a discounted student and teacher price, Google’s alternative is entirely free.

By promoting its new service in schools, Google has adopted a marketing strategy that emphasizes the convenience of communal information.

AP reports:

“In October, the company posted an online guide to provide instructors with ideas on how to incorporate the applications into their curricula. In November, Google invited about 50 Northern California teachers to spend the day at its Mountain View headquarters to learn more about the advantages of the program.

Google plans to host similar programs in other parts of the country as it tries to recruit more teachers to proselytize its online software.

Some students are already learning about the advantages of Google's word processing program, which enables people in different locations to collaborate simultaneously or view and edit documents at different times.”

The applications cater to convenient idea exchange, not just between students but between students and teachers as well. In an arguably frightening scenario (depending of whom you ask), the future of effortless slacking may be threatened.

“"I feel like I am on the edge of something really exciting and perhaps classroom changing," [Esther] Wojcicki [a teacher at Palo Alto High] said. "Using this as a teaching tool, I will be able to look at students' papers and make suggestions before they even turn it in."

Not all of Wojcicki's students like the idea of giving their teacher an advance peek at their assignments.

“Everyone procrastinates on their homework to some extent. The teacher doesn't need to see that," said Katie Barich, a senior in Wojcicki's journalism class.

While these types of complaints could be easily dismissed, they bring to mind a greater issue of privacy. If the information we create suddenly exists in a communal bank rather than in our personal safe, the possibility of someone, somewhere peeking into our creations rises exponentially.

“Even if Google stands by its promise to protect its users' information, there are no guarantees that mischief-making computer hackers or crusading government agencies won't eventually try to pry into the database, said Lauren Weinstein, co-founder of People for Internet Responsibility.

"When data is sitting on computers other than your own, it becomes a very tempting target," he said. "I have no problems at all with Google's motivation because I really do believe they want to protect their users' privacy. But I think they are creating something that will have the vultures circling."”

Most technological developments, beneficial or not, are likely to trigger anxiety. Predicting which fears come true and which in time become examples of traditionalist paranoia is often impossible.

Besides, some of our worries of Google’s world-domination may be premature. Some trial users of the software services don’t foresee a death of the Microsoft Office package:

“"I don't think people are going to stop using Word because of this," said Rebecca Altamirano, who helps prepare students for college at East Palo Alto Academy High School. "(Google's software) will be more of a supplement, a critical addition that has been missing from classrooms."”

AP article