Syncing Up Success: Project Albus Brings Safe, AI-Driven Learning to Grade 7
To move beyond AI theory for a more well-rounded technological everyday education, REFO Indonesia partnered with Sampoerna Academy-L’Avenue, making it one of the three schools in Indonesia selected to pilot 'Project Albus,' an initiative introducing Chromebooks and maximizing Google Education tools this semester.
Led by Steven Sutantro and Gusman Adi, Project Albus aims for ‘teacher-led, classroom-ready experiences that actually work’. Furthermore, its goal is to create simpler, safer, and more student-centred classrooms allowing students to experience a modern way of learning. The said project was piloted with Grade 7 classes, while teachers underwent a series of training to equip themselves with skills needed for such undertaking. Teacher-researchers from Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia (UPI) also conduct classroom observations and data-gathering to deeply analyze and understand the impact of these technological tools in classroom teaching and learning.
Chromebooks in Classroom
The Chromebook engagement of the project is about its portability, and useful management tools such as viewing/locking student screens and live captions. Teachers no longer need to worry about misuse of AI as they get the access to unlimited plagiarism checks and to help students, there are AI-generated practice sets and suggested feedback. Instead of replacing teachers, this project enhances the teachers’ work environment by creating ease and more interactivity with students.
When asked about how it impacts classroom teaching, Mr. Jun, ICT Teacher said that the “core objective of Project Albus can help students to do some research and come up with alternative solutions to understand more effectively through the use of various AI and ICT tools.”
Moreover, Mr. Mark, ELAR Teacher said, “the use of Chromebooks and the control it has provided better management for teachers and for students to be more mindful and less distracted. The integration and the use of AI tools like Gemini and NotebookLM makes planning more efficient and the learning more adaptive and responsive to the demands of the modern world.”
Students in Sync
Sampoerna Academy L’Avenue has implemented this project into the learning environment to enrich students’ education through technological advancement. The devices are given to allow a more focused learning space as it prevents any distractions during learning. Through this way, students are able to use devices productively.
Benjamin, Grade 7A student, commented that Project Albus ‘makes the students more engaged’ as the devices are monitored and spoke about how it was ‘"easy to use and manage and almost everything is simple and fast".
Sharing her insight on how Project Albus impacted her learning, Jessie, Grade 7C student said, “It helps me focus during tasks, so I don’t get distracted. But the battery life [of my device] is really bad.”
Planning for Progress
This initiative to maximize technology in teaching and learning is aligned towards the STEAM-based and technology-integrated education that Sampoerna Academy offers.
“As one of only three schools selected across Indonesia to pioneer Google’s Project Albus, Sampoerna Academy is exceptionally proud to lead this next milestone in educational innovation. We recognize that there are no shortcuts on the teaching and learning journey; however, this initiative powerfully enhances the learning environment, allowing our teachers and students to focus entirely on what matters most—deep, impactful engagement.”, said Mr. Ryan Katigbak, the ICT/Computer Science Curriculum Head of the Sampoerna Academy Schools System.
“By purposefully embracing this emerging technology, we solidify our vision for global future-readiness, beautifully balancing a rigorous STEAM mindset with the ethical heart of a true leader,” he added.