From iPads to Chromebooks

"Technology does not drive change-it enables change" -Anonymous

One of the most important roles of Technology Directors, or Chief of Technology Officers, in my opinion, is to keep up with the trends of technology, and how it affects administrators, teachers, and most importantly, the students. Coming into my first year as Technology Director for Troy City Schools, with the help of my assistant, administrators, faculty members, and even students, an assessment was made for our current environment. The high school was in its fourth year of a one to one initiative. iPads were the devices the students were using. Majority of the students, and staff, had an iPad to use.

After performing a survey, it was brought to my attention that the initiative wasn't going as planned. Just like many other school systems, the initiative hit a rut, and needed a change. The iPad was a great tool, however, it wasn't an effective device for teachers to use in their classrooms. Students weren't engaged in learning; only using the iPad as a tool for gaming and social media. Teachers preferred that students would "check in" the iPads, meaning they would have a cart in front of the room where students were to place the iPad right before they entered class. Now, being the Mac person that I am (I love Apple Products), it was hard for me to see this happen. I always wanted to be apart of a school system that had an initiative of this sort, and I wanted students as well as teachers, enjoy the experience.

Speaking with Central Office members, you learn that the financial responsibility to keep an iPad initiative, with disengaged students and teachers, can become quite costly. In fact, we were extremely close to a point where our school system wouldn't be able to financially keep up with the initiative.

The chromebook, a device made by Google, runs Chrome OS and allows students to use a keyboard and browse. Adopting Google Apps for Education in our school, made considering the change a no brainer. Students already had Google accounts, and teachers were collaborating with their students using the GAfE.  What made even more sense, was the affordability of the chromebook. So for year one of this change, the high school made the decision to transition the incoming 9th graders to the chromebook.

The 9th graders, along with their teachers, had great experiences with the chromebooks. Teachers enjoyed the collaboration with the students. They were able to give assignments using Google Drive and Google Classroom. Students were engaged because they had a tool that allowed them to do their assignments, use a keyboard to type, and to explore apps in Google Drive and the Chrome Store. The chromebook really worked well with the curriculum, and we could see the growth in students' performance.

This was a eye opener for our school system. The chromebook worked in all areas of our one to one initiative. The cost in comparison to our current initiative was a third of the cost. There was great collaboration with the students and teachers. From a management standpoint, our Technology Department could managed the chromebooks in one location, with ease. The Google management console was pretty straightforward. The following summer, our school system purchased chromebooks for grades 9 - 12. We are closely keeping an eye on performance and student engagement throughout the high school.

In my opinion, I am a big believer in the Chromebook. I know that there are many vendors who are selling chromebooks. I believe that schools should find a way to implement this device into their system. We are going into year 2 of this change. The motivation to integrate more technology is rising in our schools. Students are respecting what's given to them more.

For those that need help with implementing and setting up Google Apps and using Chromebooks, please, don't hesitate to contact me via email or on this blog.