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diff --git a/docs/html/distribute/googleplay/edu/guidelines.jd b/docs/html/distribute/googleplay/edu/guidelines.jd new file mode 100644 index 0000000..820cb17 --- /dev/null +++ b/docs/html/distribute/googleplay/edu/guidelines.jd @@ -0,0 +1,257 @@ +page.title=Guidelines for Apps +page.metaDescription=Get your apps ready for Google Play for Education. +excludeFromSuggestions=true +@jd:body + +<div style="position:absolute;margin-left: 636px; + margin-top:-76px;color:#777;">If you're interested<br> + <a href="{@docRoot}distribute/googleplay/edu/contact.html" + class="go-link" + style="display: block;text-align: right;">SIGN UP</a></div> + +<div +style="background-color:#fffdeb;width:100%;margin-bottom:1em;padding:.5em;">You +can now include your apps in the Google Play for Education <a +href="{@docRoot}distribute/googleplay/edu/start.html#program">pilot program</a>, +getting it into the hands of participating schools and key influencers in the +education technology community. See <a href="start.html">Get Started</a> to +learn how to participate. </div> + +<p>The sections below list the guidelines and requirements for apps +participating in Google Play for Education. + +<p>Before you include your app in Google Play for Education, set up a <a +href="#test-environment">test environment</a> and make sure your app meets all +of the safety, usability, and quality guidelines given here. You can use the +linked resources to help +you develop a great app for students that offers compelling content and an +intuitive user experience on Android tablets.</p> + +<p>In addition, ensure that your app complies with the terms of a <a +href="https://play.google.com/about/developer-distribution-agreement-addendum. +html" target="_policies">Google Play for Education Addendum</a>, as well as +the standard <a +href="http://play.google.com/about/developer-content-policy.html" +target="_policies">Google Play Developer Program Policies</a> and <a +href="http://play.google.com/about/developer-distribution-agreement.html" +target="_policies">Developer Distribution Agreement</a>.</p> + + +<h2 id="requirements">Safety First</h2> + +<p>To participate, your apps must be designed to be appropriate for +the K-12 market. The basic requirements that your apps must meet are:</p> + +<ol> + <li>Apps and the ads they contain must not collect personally identifiable +information other than user credentials or data required to operate and improve +the app.</li> + <li>Apps must not use student data for purposes unrelated to its educational +function.</li> + <li>Apps must have a content rating of "Everyone" or "Low Maturity" (apps with +a "Medium Maturity" rating are allowed, if they have that rating solely because +they allow communication between students).</li> + <li>App content, including ads displayed by the app, must be consistent with +the app's maturity rating. The app must not display any “offensive” content, as +described in the <a +href="http://play.google.com/about/developer-content-policy.html">Google Play +Developer Program Policies</a> and <a +href="https://support.google.com/googleplay/android-developer/answer/188189"> +content-rating guidelines</a>.</p></li> +<li>Apps must comply with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act +and all other applicable laws and regulations.</li> +</ol> + + +<h2 id="inapp">Monetizing and Ads</h2> + +<p>Google Play for Education provides a simple and secure environment for students +and teachers. To support that environment, priced or free apps that do not use in-app +purchases are preferred, as are apps that do not display ads. Apps that use in-app +payments or ads are acceptable, but you must declare those behaviors when opting-in +to Google Play for Education. Your app's use of in-app purchases or ads will be +disclosed to educators when they are browsing for content.</p> + +<p>Follow the guidelines below to help your app receive the + highest ratings and offer the best possible user-experience.</p> + +<p>If your app is priced or sells in-app products, you must:</p> + +<ul> + <li>Sell all content and services through Google Play for Education</li> + <li>Allow Google Play to offer teachers limited free trials before purchase +(through business terms only, no development work is needed)</li> +<li>Disable in-app purchases if possible, or ensure that: + +<ul> +<li>Users can access your app's core functionality for a classroom setting without +an in-app purchase.</li> +<li>In-app purchases are clearly identifiable in your UI.</li> +<li>You declare the use of in-app purchases at <a href="{@docRoot}distribute/googleplay/edu/start.html#opt-in">opt-in</a>.</li> +</ul> +</li> +</ul> + +<p class="note"><strong>Note</strong>: In-app +purchases are blocked on Google Play for Education tablets at this time.</p> + +<p>If your app displays ads, you should: + <ul> + <li>Disable the display of ads if possible, or ensure that: + <ul> + <li>Ads are not distracting for students or teachers</li> + <li>Ads do not occupy a significant portion of the screen</li> + <li>Ads content does not exceed the maturity rating of the app.</li> + <li>You declare the use of ads at <a href="{@docRoot}distribute/googleplay/edu/start.html#opt-in">opt-in</a>.</li> + </ul> + </li> +</ul> + +<p>We discourage the use of ads within apps included in Google Play for Education. +While ads are allowed, please note that the Google Play for Education site will +flag apps that display ads, so educators can choose use apps that are ad-free. +Similarly, we also discourage any UI within your app that exposes in-app purchase +to students. <!--Please note that we may block access to in-app purchases on student +tablets.--></p> + + +<h2 id="approved">Educational Value</h2> + +<p>Apps submitted to Google Play for Education will be evaluated by a +third-party educator network, which will review them based on alignment with <a +href="http://www.corestandards.org/" class="external-link" +target="_android">Common Core Standards</a> and other factors. This will help +make your content more discoverable for teachers and administrators as they +browse by grade level, subject, core curriculum, and other parameters. </p> + +<p>Apps with highest educational value will have these characteristics:</p> +<ul> + <li>Designed for use in K-12 classrooms.</li> + <li>Aligned with a common core standard or support common-core learning.</li> + <li>Simple, easy to use, and intuitive for the grade levels the app is targeting. + App is relatively easy to navigate without teacher guidance. Not distracting + or overwhelming to students.</li> + <li>Enjoyable and interactive. App is engaging to students and lets them control + their experience.</li> + <li>Versatile. App has features make the it useful for more than one classroom + function or lesson throughout the school year.</li> + <li>Supports the "4Cs": + <ul> + <li><em>Creativity</em> — Allows students to create in order to express + understanding of the learning objectives, and try new approaches, innovation + and invention to get things done.</li> + <li><em>Critical thinking</em> — Allows students to look at problems in + a new way, linking learning across subjects and disciplines.</li> + <li><em>Collaboration</em> — Allows students and (if appropriate) educators + to work together to reach a goal.</li> + <li><em>Communication</em> — Allows students to comprehend, critique and + share thoughts, questions, ideas and solutions.</li> + </ul> + </li> +</ul> + +<p>As you design and develop your app, make sure it offers high educational value +by addressing as many of those characteristics as possible.</p> + + +<h2 id="quality">App Quality</h2> + +<p>Google Play for Education brings educational content to students and teachers +on Android tablets. Your apps should be designed to perform well and look great +on Android tablets, and they should offer the best user experience possible. +</p> + +<p>High quality apps are engaging, intuitive, and offer compelling content. +Google Play for Education will highlight high-quality apps for easy discovery in +the store. Here are some recommendations for making your app easy for students +and teachers to enjoy.</p> + +<ul> + <li>Meet Core app quality guidelines + <ul> + <li>Follow <a + href="{@docRoot}design/index.html">Android Design Guidelines</a>. + Pay special attention to the sections on <a href="{@docRoot}design/patterns/actionbar.html">Action + Bar</a>, <a href="{@docRoot}design/patterns/navigation.html">Navigation</a> and <a + href="{@docRoot}design/patterns/pure-android.html">Pure Android</a>.</li> + <li>Test your apps against the <a href="{@docRoot}distribute/googleplay/quality/core.html">Core + App Quality Guidelines</a>.</li> + </ul> + </li> +<li>Meet tablet app quality guidelines + <ul> + <li>Follow our best practices for tablet app development</li> + <li>Review the <a href="{@docRoot}distribute/googleplay/quality/tablet.html">Tablet App + Quality Checklist</a> and <a + href="http://android-developers.blogspot.com/2012/11/designing-for-tablets-were-here-to-help.html" target="_android">blog post on designing for tablets</a></li> + <li>Check your Optimization Tips in the Google Play Developer Console (if you've + already uploaded your app)</li> + </ul> +<li>Strive for simplicity and highest usability for students + <ul> + <li>Design your app so that teachers and students can use all capabilities of + your app without + having to sign-in to multiple accounts and remember multiple passwords.</li> + <li>Every student or teacher using a Google Play for Education tablet will already be + signed in with a Google account on the device. You can take advantage of that to provide a + simple, seamless sign-in experience in your app. A recommended approach is to use + <a href="{@docRoot}google/play-services/auth.html">Google OAuth 2 authorization</a> + through Google Play Services.</li> + </ul> +</li> +</ul> + + +<h2 id="test-environment">Test Environment</h2> + +<p>To test your app and assess it against the guidelines in this document, it's +recommended that you set up a test environment that replicates the actual +environment in which students and teachers will run your app.</p> + +<p>In general, you should use the test environment described in <a +href="{@docRoot}distribute/googleplay/quality/tablet.html#test-environment"> +Setting Up a Test Environment for Tablets</a>, including a small number of +actual hardware devices that replicate the tablet form factors used in the +Google Play for Education.</p> + +<h3 id="devices">Android tablets</h3> + +<p>Google Play for Education uses primarily Nexus 7 and Nexus 10 devices, so +your testing can focus on those specific hardware devices. You can purchase the +devices from <a href="https://play.google.com/store/devices/details?id=nexus_7_16gb" target="_android">Google Play</a> and other stores. Although testing on Nexus +devices is preferred, you can test on other 7-inch or 10-inch tablets or virtual +devices if you don't have access to Nexus devices.</p> + +<h3 id="conditions">Test conditions</h3> + +<p>Once you've set up a suitable hardware environment, make sure to test your +apps under conditions that simulate those of schools. For example, Google Play +for Education lets administrators control or disable certain capabilities for +students, so it's good to test your app with those capabilities disabled. Below +are some conditions to test your app in, to ensure best results in the Google +Play for Education environment:</p> + +<ul> +<li><em>Android version</em> — Test the app on devices running Android +4.2. Google Play for Education devices will be running Android 4.2 or higher +(API level 17).</li> +<li><em>Proxy server</em> — Test the app in network environment that uses +proxies. Many schools use proxies.</li> +<li><em>Secondary user account</em> — Test the app using a secondary user +account. Most Google Play for Education users will not be using the primary <a +href="{@docRoot}about/versions/jelly-bean.html#42-multiuser">multiuser</a> +account on their devices. For testing, create a secondary multiuser account on +your tablet.</li> +<li><em>No location services</em> — Test the app to make sure it works +properly with location services disabled. Many schools will disable location +services for student devices.</li> +<li><em>No In-app Billing</em> — Test the app to make sure it works +properly without access to In-app Billing. In-app purchases are blocked on +Google Play for Education devices at this time.</li> +<li><em>No Bluetooth</em> — Test the app to make sure it works properly +when Bluetooth is disabled. Many schools will disable Bluetooth on student +devices.</li> +<li><em>No access to network</em> — Test the app to make sure it works +properly when the device cannot connect to the internet. </li> +</ul> + |