Google It: Lawrenceburg Schools Using Only Tech Giant’s Apps

By Mike Perleberg Lawrenceburg Community Schools are taking advantage of Google for Education by using only Google apps in the classroom. Photo by Mike Perleberg, Eagle 99.3. (Lawrenceburg, Ind.) – Lawrenceburg Community Schools are on the leading edge of tech-based education with a new partnership with Google. In the new school year that began Wednesday, the district has opted to use exclusively Google software – apps like Google Docs, Drive, and Slides – for classroom learning. “We are a full Google school,” says Jared Leiker, instructional technology specialist for Lawrenceburg schools.  “We are powered by Google apps for education. There have been a lot of schools in our area that have tinkered with Google, but we’ve decided to make the full dive into the deep end to be supported by Google and that’s how we’re going to provide our educational experience.” HEAR EAGLE 99.3'S INTERVIEW WITH LAWRENCEBURG SCHOOL OFFICIALS IN THE AUDIO PLAYER. [audio mp3="http://eaglecountryonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/lburg-google-school-08072015.mp3"][/audio] Lawrenceburg schools are already textbook-free, with every student from kindergarten through high school being equipped with their own electronic device since last school year. Being on a single platform with Google apps will increase collaboration in the classroom. There is a technology skills and familiarity gap between students who grew up with the internet and teachers who aren’t as tech-savvy. It’s a challenge, but Lawrenceburg teachers have been taking to the Google programs, says superintendent Karl Galey. “Our teachers have already started embracing this, which is kind of a beautiful thing. I’ve already noticed a lot of our elementary, middle school, and high school teachers are starting to create documents and sharing them through Google apps,” Galey says. Every teacher in the district is working towards achieving the certification as a Google teacher by the end of this year. “The future is endless and it is up to our amazing faculty and staff to redefine what that education looks like,” says Leiker.