Fourth- and fifth-grade students at Gillett Elementary will soon have school-provided laptop computers, as the district moves closer to providing individual technology devices for its students.
The School Board on March 17 unanimously approved the purchase of 75 Chromebooks, which are Internet-dependent laptops powered by Google’s Chrome operating system. The district will spend up to $350 per unit, for a total cost of not more than $26,250.
According to Tammy Lipsey, elementary school principal, the district will also purchase applications for the Chromebooks, although much of what students will use, including word processing and spreadsheet programs, will be part of the operating system through Google Docs.
This purchase and the use of CrE8 charter school devices for students in the traditional school brings the elementary closer to one device per student. Students in third through fifth grade will have their own laptops.
Gillett Secondary School Principal Steve Linssen said the ultimate goal is to provide a device for every student.
“That’s the direction most junior highs and high schools are trying to move toward, the one-to-one,” he said.
“But we can’t do it all at once,” Superintendent Todd Carlson said.
Lipsey said teachers will integrate the technology into their instruction. With the Chromebooks, students can access books online and use Internet resources for projects and assignments. The Chromebooks require little set-up and maintenance, she said.
A web-based management console will allow administrators to pre-set Web pages, add apps and manage users across classrooms or the whole district.
Gary Kohl, technology services consultant for the district, said the timing of the purchase is important in order to get the longest period of Google support. The district will purchase a recently released model, and Google guarantees a minimum four years of support.
School Board member Nicole Sturm pressed for details regarding the Chromebooks’ potential uses, warranty and how long the devices will be up-to-date. Before approving the purchase, she said she wanted to be sure it was the best fit for the district.
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