Edina Schools Have 'Gone Google' | Community Spirit

Edina Public Schools have "Gone Google." Don't belive me? Just check out the new billboard near I-494 and Portland Ave in Richfield. It went up on March 28, and simply states, "Edina Public Schools have gone Google."

This was Google's way of announcing that the school district was selected as one of 10 worldwide winners in its "Gone Google" story contest.

The contest was open to users of Google Apps. Entrants were asked to explain how their organization uses Google Apps and why they should be featured in the "Gone Google" ad campaign.

Molly Schroeder, Edina Public Schools Technology Integration Specialist, is a Google certified teacher, Google Apps for Education Certified Trainer, and worked on the launch of Google Apps in the school district at the beginning of the school year. "When I saw the blog post calling for entries to share our story about how Google Apps has changed the way that we approach learning, I thought we really had a great story to share," said Schroeder. "Google Apps for Education has transformed the way we are able to help students and staff engage in learning."

This year, Edina Public Schools staff and students have been using Google Docs, Google Sites, Picasa, Blogger, and Google Maps to work efficiently and collaboratively. Now teachers are better equipped to stay relevant in the evolving world of technology and provide tools that allow students to work in the 21st Century. Some other examples of how Edina Public Schools are using Google Apps for Education:

The other 9 winners include:

3Tailer (Online Retail) - Charlotte, North Carolina, USA

Boise State University (Education) - Boise, Idaho, USA

Boxx Group (Construction) - Antwerp, Belgium

ESSEC Business School (Education) - Cergy-Pontoise, France

Just Salad (Restaurants) - New York, New York, USA

Monash University (Education) - Clayton, Victoria, Australia

Oakwood Junior School (Education) - Southampton, Hampshire, UK

The Phoenix of New Orleans (Non-Profit) - New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

South Carolina REALTORS® (Real Estate / Non-Profit) - Columbia, South Carolina, USA