Chromebooks at MHS

Madison High School has recently announced that every student will be receiving a Google Chromebook this year to use in the classroom and at home. There are many unanswered questions that the students of MHS have about the Chromebooks. Mr. LaPierre, the head of the technology department of MHS, was nice enough to answer a few questions for MDO.

MDO: When should the students expect to get the Chromebooks?

Mr. LaPierre: The Chromebooks will be handed out to all MHS student before the end of the second marking period.

MDO: Will students be able to take the Chromebooks home?

Mr. LaPierre: Yes, all students will be encouraged to take the Chromebooks home.

MDO: How will classroom instruction be improved by the use of the Chromebooks?

Mr. LaPierre: I think first and foremost it will put technology in the hands of the students whenever it is needed. As with any piece of technology I look at it as a tool that educators can use to help with instruction. It will help teachers to differentiate lessons and to blend technology into the already great things that they are doing in the classroom, without needing to check out a lab, or a laptop cart. Also, Google apps for Education (GAFE) is a very powerful and useful learning platform that will allow students to do many things including collaborating on projects and easily sharing ideas. It also gives the teachers a way of communicating with students through the use of messaging and Google classroom.

MDO: Are there any downsides to the Chromebooks?

Mr. LaPierre: I don’t see a downside. It gives students access to technology when it is needed, whether in school, or at home.

MDO: Will teachers be instructed on the most effective ways to use the Chromebooks?

Mr. LaPierre: Yes, the district has hired a Technology Integration Specialist just for this purpose. The administration has also visited other school districts that are using Chromebooks in the classroom very effectively.

MDO: Do you think that the Chromebooks will improve the learning environment at MHS?

Mr. LaPierre: I do think it will improve learning. In addition, I think that not only today’s student, but teachers and professionals outside of the educational community use technology routinely on a daily basis, and I think we need to reflect that same thing in our schools. It’s the way we do things. If you need to know something, you look it up, or “Google” it. If we are doing that in everyday life, I think that’s the way we need to do things in school.

Since teachers will be the ones to use the Chromebooks in the classroom, their opinion is important as well.

Mrs. Nellins, an English teacher at MHS who uses Chromebooks in her class on a regular basis, agreed to talk to MDO about her thoughts on the inclusion of the technology.

She said that she was in favor of using the Chromebooks in class because they “shifted the class to be more student centered.”  Mrs. Nellins explained that using the Chromebooks allows her students to prepare more out of class which makes the class period much more productive. Mrs. Nellins feels hopeful that “making the shift [to Chromebooks] as early as tenth grade will help prepare students for college.”  She added that using Dropbox, Messageboard, and other various applications will help students transition into college.

Mrs. Nellins further explained that “Google Docs opens up collaboration between teachers.” According to Nellins, prior to the use of Google Docs it was difficult to find time to collaborate with other teachers, but Google Docs allows teachers to collaborate from their homes. Mrs. Nellins also said that Google docs “increases collaboration between students” and “breaks the ice for shyer students.”   Google Docs also allows Mrs. Nellins to see which students have contributed to her assignments.

The incoming Chromebooks have positive reviews from some of the excellent staff members at MHS. Hopefully the reception from the students will be equally positive, and all of MHS will benefit from this new venture.