Graves County Middle School has joined #POWERON by supplying all students with a Google Chromebook.

#POWERON is a movement from textbooks and outdated resources to new technology to further expand the knowledge of students in the classroom.

Johnathan Miller, principal of graves county middle school, believes that GCMS is leading the way for schools in our area with #POWERON. “I’m really excited for the new Chromebooks; they open doors to so many new opportunities that my students haven’t has access to before.”

Students and teachers now use a program called “Schoology.” Schoology not only keeps all assignments in one organized place, but keeps up with grades, due dates, and more.

“I absolutely love the fact that there is more mobility and that my students can be creative without being scared to share it with everyone,” explains science teacher, Meagan Ralph, “but I will never get rid of paper school work because even though there are many benefits of the Chromebooks, there are disadvantages of excessive screen time.”

Ralph also brings to attention to a major benefit that Chromebooks give students with a disability: “One who isn’t able to write can speak to their computer and turn in the assignment in an audio file.”

The Chromebooks only cost students $25, which is a tech fee that gets them any help they may need for the entire school year.

Graves County school district holds a 5 year lease and 2017 is the year to renew. Normally, this money is put towards computer labs and new equipment, but this year, GC is going portable so the remaining price is covered by the lease.