![Benjamin Williams and Reese Sherman, social studies teachers, explain department information a guest. This [open house] was, for me, a great opportunity to meet family in the district that will soon be attending the high school, Williams said.](https://www.utimesonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/DSC_9117-1200x800.jpg)
1:1 Chromebook initiative expands technology use
During his American Law independent study, senior Joseph Chunn works in the library. “Having Chromebooks is like a double-edge sword,” said Chunn. “While they do provide much educational utility on the surface, because if they’re lost or damaged, they unfortunately cause a bit of liability. Another challenge is that they invite removal from the educational setting, because now that you’ve integrated this new technology without really setting a groundwork for how it will actually be employed in the classroom, the student is left to determine how they’ll use it, and inevitably that leaves the system to be used for entertainment purposes as opposed to an instrument of learning.”
November 11, 2015
As technology continues to develop, the district began to slowly introduce innovative ideas that would help students become more technologically savvy. This year, the district gifted students with over 800 almost-new mini laptops that they could not only use at school, but take home every night. According to Gabe Dean, senior, who works as an intern in technology support services, the laptops weigh about the size of a small textbook, and display many built-in features that are geared toward making homework a lot easier.
“I think we should have Chromebooks because they help with homework, but on the other hand people don’t always respect them like they’re supposed to,” said Dean. “They drop them and they break, or the screen cracks, and it can become a huge mess.”
Another thing is that some people don’t have access to a computer at home so the Chromebooks definitely help with that, but one of the bad things about that, is that if you don’t have internet at home you can’t really use it.”
According to Scott Gowan, director of technology, they are trying to figure out a way to make Chromebooks work without actually needing an internet connection.
“Right now, in their present state, Chromebooks do depend on internet activity,” said Gowan. “They have the ability to work offline which means that you can work on a Google doc even if you don’t have a connection, but that is really limited right now. Ultimately, we want people to be able to do homework at home without having to use a broadband connection.”
The Chromebooks not only help with homework, but according to junior counselor Rashida Miller, they prepare students for college.
“The Chromebooks will allow students to discipline themselves when they go to college,” said Miller. “The Chromebooks give students the opportunity to work at home and with technology expanding, it helps the students expand their technology skills as well.”
While there are clear advantages to having Chromebooks, there have been a few drawbacks, as well, that senior counselor Katy- Jane Johnson has noticed.
“Students don’t realize the consequences of misusing computer and technology usage, and unfortunately discipline is not one of the strong attributes of being a teenager, ” said Johnson. “It’s hard to regulate yourself when you have access to so much stuff.” There are growing pains in having all of this new and exciting technology, hopefully by the time the new freshman come in they’ll be accustomed to using them in order to maximize the benefits they bring.”
