Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has unveiled an ambitious plan to expand the Google Classroom project across all schools under its jurisdiction within the next three years. The announcement was made by Deputy Bangkok Governor Sanon Wangsrangboon, who revealed the successful trial of the initiative at Thainiyomsongkroa School in the Bang Khen district over a full academic term.
Under this groundbreaking project, each student is equipped with a refurbished laptop, designed for both home and classroom use. The initiative focuses on the crucial aspects of “learning connectivity and data accessibility,” emphasizing the importance of technology in modern education.
The laptops provided to students are equipped with Google Classroom, a free application tailored for educational institutions. This online platform enables teachers and students to collaborate on documents and projects seamlessly. Google has been rigorously testing this system for several years and has already enrolled a staggering 9 million students in Japan. The success of Google Classroom has also led to its adoption in Indonesia, and now Thailand is embracing this innovative tool.
Deputy Governor Sanon Wangsrangboon highlighted that the BMA has gratefully accepted the donation of used notebooks, which have been meticulously refurbished before being distributed to students. These notebooks are then installed with a new operating system that heavily relies on cloud computing. This advanced setup allows older computers to perform a wider range of tasks while reducing hardware costs. Furthermore, the project includes comprehensive training for teachers to ensure they can effectively leverage the Google Classroom platform.
Feedback from students who participated in the trial has been overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing their desire for the project to continue. Deputy Governor Sanon Wangsrangboon announced that the BMA aims to implement this transformative initiative in all 437 schools under its administration by 2026. By doing so, the BMA seeks to provide children with innovative educational opportunities while safeguarding them from accessing inappropriate websites or online content.
The extension of the Google Classroom project signifies a significant step forward for education in Bangkok. It not only acknowledges the importance of technology in the learning process but also reflects the commitment of the BMA to provide equal access to educational resources and promote digital literacy among students.
