Starting next school year, FHSD middle and high school students will be given their own Chromebooks for everyday learning in the classroom, called the 1:1 plan. Chromebooks for use at school and at home will help students complete work and stay organized all throughout the school year. Teachers also wouldn’t need to keep Chromebook carts in their classrooms. These devices provide an easier and more efficient way to share assignments with students and keep them on track.
“Students will be able to do their own work more often especially if they don’t have their own Chromebook at home,” freshman Lily Figgemeier said.
A personal Chromebook would give students the opportunity to continue learning outside of school hours and manage their time more efficiently.
“Having my own Chromebook would definitely help me with my work so that I’m more focused,” freshman Izabella Jackson said.
Students having their own Chromebook also brings the benefit of giving students uninterrupted time to work by not having to share devices which limits classroom time. While others may think that the cost may be expensive for getting new devices, this is not the case. The Board of Education is only increasing the access of already purchased Chromebooks.
“One reason is financial. The school district will save tens of thousands of dollars by changing how we allocate Chromebooks to students,” President of Francis Howell Board of Education Steven Blair said.
One key idea is that providing each student with a Chromebook will support both school regulations and student reliance on technology. With rules such as the cell phone ban in place, students will need a consistent and reliable device throughout the school day. Having a personal Chromebook allows students to complete school work without interruption both in and out of the classroom.
“With the cell phone ban, the change in how we would assign Chromebooks to each person individually allows students greater access to checking their grades, emailing teachers and other uses that a Chromebook could provide,” Blair said.
