r/edtech 14d ago

Student emails for a startup with an edtech element

I am a co-founder in a startup that's involved in training, recruiting, and managing individuals for projects related to the fine arts field. Now, as we are a startup, we don't have a lot of funds to spare on a google account for all of our students, we can afford google workspace for the staff but not for the students as we're expecting around a thousand students to register.

So I'd like advice on other online means or tools I could use in giving my students access (access limited to them only) to the learning material. What I need is to give out verified email addresses to my students for them to access the google folder with the learning material and google meet/zoom for when we have a live online class. It is very important to note that our students are not as tech saavy as one would like them to be so please try to give me some user-friendly recommendations.

Thank you so much for your comments in advance.

3 Upvotes

15 comments sorted by

3

u/JJam74 13d ago

Students will already have emails through the district, you don’t need to create more of them.

3

u/UnreliablyReliable 13d ago

No kidding. I’m also a startup founder. We built a product that does exactly this but we were shelving it this month because we can’t find users.

Edit— Send me a DM and I can chat this week and see if it could be a fit for y’all.

2

u/squatsandthoughts 13d ago

Are you managing your student information with anything now?

Why do they need to have an email that you give them?

1

u/HoneyCollector13 10d ago

No I haven't started yet. I need the emails for easier access for them as well as securing the educational material so no external party gets access (it's subscription-based).

2

u/wingsstones 13d ago

You could use Zoho Mail for free verified student email names or ProtonMail for accounts that care about your privacy. Both options are easy to use and don't cost much.

1

u/HoneyCollector13 12d ago

Thank you so much, I'll be sure to check them out

2

u/Katieesq 13d ago

If your organization is a registered 501c(3), you can get a free Google workspace.

https://www.google.com/nonprofits/offerings/workspace/

1

u/HoneyCollector13 12d ago

My business is not in the US

2

u/Significant_Cod1298 11d ago

Hi,

It sounds like you’re working on an exciting initiative in the fine arts field! I am also launching a start-up, and it's quite a rollercoaster ride. I understand the need to manage costs while ensuring your students can access learning materials easily, especially since they might not be very tech-savvy.

Here are a few user-friendly and cost-effective recommendations:

  1. Google Tools (Free Version):
    • As you mentioned, you don’t need to pay for Google Workspace for students. You can have your students create free Gmail accounts to access shared Google Drive files and attend Google Meet sessions.
    • When sharing files, set permissions so only those with the link can view them, ensuring security without overcomplicating things.
    • Google Meet is also free and works seamlessly with Gmail accounts.
  2. Google Classroom (Highly Recommended):
    • Google Classroom is a great tool for organizing class materials and assignments. Students don’t need to be on your domain; they can join your Classroom with their free Gmail accounts.
    • It’s easy to navigate, and you can share files, links, and announcements in one central place, reducing confusion for students.
  3. Other Platforms to Consider (Free or Low-Cost):
    • Microsoft Teams (Free for Education): Allows file sharing, video calls, and collaboration similar to Google. Students only need a basic Microsoft account.
    • Moodle or Canvas (Open Source): These learning management systems are free but may require some initial setup. They allow you to share materials and host virtual classes securely.
  4. Sharing Files Securely: If you’re concerned about file security, adjust Google Drive settings to restrict downloading, copying, or sharing. You can set permissions to “view-only” for added control.

In short, Google’s free tools—Drive, Meet, and Classroom—are your best bet for simplicity and cost-effectiveness. I recommend starting with Google Classroom to centralize everything in one place. It’s intuitive and won’t overwhelm your students.

I hope this helps! Feel free to let me know if you need further clarification or recommendations.

Best regards,
Ben King
Founder/CEO, Elevate Innovations

www.elevatebenai.com

1

u/HoneyCollector13 10d ago

Thank you so much for this, I've bene trying to maximise the google workspace and I think I'll be merging it with Youtube for best outcome. I'd love to start a conversation with you to see how everything is going on your end and we could help each other out if any challenges arise. Best of luck to you Ben.

2

u/bubbynee 13d ago

Sounds like you need a learning management system. You can spin up Moodle or Canvas as an open source system.

1

u/Traditional_Lab_6754 14d ago

What is your budget? Does the service need to be free?

1

u/HoneyCollector13 12d ago

Well, the cheaper the better, but if I have to pay then I can spare 1000$ at the most

1

u/Electronic-Fudge46 12d ago

Send me a dm as I have a training background and would love to help….

1

u/johnscribe 10d ago

Perhaps I've misunderstood, but this seems like a very simple problem to solve: collect the personal emails of the students during registration / onboarding, then just set share access to the learning materials to just those emails. Equally, just invite those emails to the google meets.

I don't understand why you would need to create a new email account for every user?