With the introduction of Common Core and recent technology boosts to wireless infrastructure, students in select grades may see personal Chromebooks in their hands as soon as next year.
This method of mobile learning was introduced in the Tech Plan, which is revised every three years, and currently guides the school district through 2016 by tackling technology goals such as Common Core technology aspects, computer-adaptive learning assessments, enhanced assistive technologies, digital services for textbooks, and electronic submission for student assignment.
Booker said that the district plans on piloting one-to-one mobile learning next fall with the incoming Freshman, Juniors, and 6th graders.
“Students in these grade levels will utilize personal Chromebooks in both the classroom and at home,” Booker said. “These grades were chosen because of the research and projects that the Chromebooks best match up with.”
Students at the elementary level will have classroom Chromebooks with around a three-to-one ratio, according to Booker.
“If the district gets a good response from teachers and students, then one-to-one mobile learning will continued to be implemented with the next incoming grades,” Booker said.
Booker said that Chromebooks will be able to meet the intended educational goals of the Tech Plan.
“It’s not as robust as a Macbook,” Booker said, “but these devices support finite learning goals, such as communication writing, editing, research, and collaboration.”
Each Chromebook will cost around 350 dollars, resulting in a bit more than 70,000 dollars per a grade level.
“The money is coming from a joint partnership between the district and the Parents Club,” Booker said. “Soon, parents of students in grades receiving the Chromebooks will be receiving letters detailing the plan and asking for voluntary donations.”
The main source of funding and help for the Tech Plan comes from the Piedmont community itself. The Parents Club and the Piedmont Educational Foundation are providing much of the financial support, and volunteers familiar with technology will aid in the development and implementation of the Tech Plan.
Booker said that the benefits of one-to-one mobile learning lies in the ability to work with digital tools in the classroom with a teacher, and use the web for information.
“Reasonably, we already live in a digital age, and students already use technology everyday for school work and their personal lives,” Booker said. “We want students to be able to work together, along with a teacher, in the moment, as opposed to having to do it later at home.”
