The San Lorenzo Valley Unified School District is gearing up for the “one-to-one laptop initiative.” Slated to begin in Fall 2015, this program would require each student to utilize a laptop or other tech device as a classroom-learning tool.
“It’s called the one-to-one laptop initiative and the idea is to get technology in the hands of every student,” said SLVUSD Superintendent Dr. Laurie Bruton.
Bruton said on Tuesday that a SLVUSD board meeting was scheduled for Wednesday night to tackle some of the details of the initiative and potential problems that may arise.
“Whether we proceed forward with implementing this and starting parent meetings and sharing information with parents or just how to proceed,” Bruton said. “Our board is very supportive of this kind of program because it puts technology in the hands of students, which is where it really needs to be.”
During parent conference week, a survey was distributed to parents of students between grades 6 and 12, asking if they would be willing to purchase a laptop for their student or if they already owned one that the student could use at school and at home.
“Between 90 percent and 95 percent of parents identified that they would be willing to purchase one and we have some requirements that they have to meet,” Bruton said.
Laptops or other devices should have an eight-hour battery life to endure the long school day, and a keyboard.
The initiative recommends that parents buy a computer that fits these standards and one option is the Google Chromebook, which is already utilized heavily in math classes throughout the district. These computers are selling for a relatively inexpensive rate of $225, she said.
“It would require students to have a laptop to utilize in school, so they will either bring it or we will help them purchase one, or we will have available laptops at school,” Bruton explained. “While it requires them to bring a laptop, it doesn’t exclude anyone — everyone will have access.”
The survey also asked parents if they would need help paying for their child’s laptop/device and whether Internet access was available at home.
Over 90 percent said that their child was able to use the Internet at home and between 19 percent and 30 percent said that they may need financial assistance.
“We are prepared to help people if they would like to purchase a laptop and they can’t,” she said.
Jill Collen, president of the SLV High School Cougar Club and SLVHS parent, said that she is in favor of the initiative.
“I think our kids have got to have electronics that they can use in the classroom and if the district hasn’t got the money to provide every student — because obviously that would be ideal if the district could provide every student — I think that its a better alternative to ask the parents to provide equipment for their student rather than be left behind with outdated textbooks,” she said.
The Cougar Club raises money for academics and plans trips for students to visit college campuses every year.
“Certainly in Cougar Club, that’s our priority: All the extra money that we are getting we are trying to put towards buying more of this technology,” Collen said. “I think that there has to be provision by the district office for those kids that really can’t afford it.”
SLVHS Math Department Chair Rob Lahey said that students in his math classes use Chromebooks, which are very user-friendly.
“In education, there’s going to be times when its incredibly valuable to have a device in your hands right there and then,” he explained. “The interaction that’s available through the Internet has really changed the way that education is going in a big way.”
All schools in the district are utilizing Chromebook carts in mathematics classes already, Lahey said. Online components can really give kids the extra help they need when the teacher is not around.
SLV Middle School Principal Jeff Calden said he just got back from visiting Lakeview Middle School in Watsonville, where he witnessed the success of students who have been using laptops in classrooms for a year now.
“It’s not going to replace teaching as we know it, it is another resource; it’s another way for kids to get engaged,” Calden said. “Teachers are still going to need to teach and kids are still going to have to work together in groups, but the advantage of having technology that engages the kids — and in some ways motivates them to do things like write — is just a great resource.”
Schools throughout the state and country are utilizing technology in the classroom, which can be scary because it’s new, but really seems to be engaging kids, he said.
“I’m sure there will be bumps, there will be things that we learn as we do, and that’s education, that’s what you do,” he said “You learn as you do, and you tweak it, and you move forward, and you make it better like anything else.”
“It’ll be a journey, but it’s an exciting journey.”
