Kendra Williams ’16: The One-to-One program, implemented last year for Lower School 5th graders, will now provide laptops for students from the 5th to 8th grades.
Linda Lew, member of the Middle School Technology Department, said, “The 5th graders were able to bring the program into their first year of middle school, and as the students continue to move up in their academic careers their laptops will as well.”
“Next year we’re going to give laptops to all of the current 7th graders, therefore, the 1:1 program will be used from 5th to 8th grade,” said Lew. In about two years, when 1:1 is with the incoming freshman class, the goal is to make it persist on.
Members of the Middle School Technology Team, Sameer Saxena ‘20, Grace Haupt ‘20, Case Hummer ‘20, and Dylan Ott ‘20, shared their enthusiasm for the One to One program. Hummer said, “Getting my own computer was really exciting, because it helps me become more responsible and prepared.” For Saxena, “It’s very educational, and it lets us learn in a different way. For example, we can use Quizlet to make notecards.”
Haupt said, “Teachers are even using Google sites and test calendars now, so if I am confused about homework or I forget my planner I can access it.” Ott added, “[Teachers] have done new things like allowing us to make a website out of parts of speech to help us improve and understand.”
The 6th grade teachers are just as appreciative of the program. Lew commented, “Unlike the 7th and 8th grade faculty, they don’t have to reserve a cart or plan ahead to use the Tech room, so it allows for more flexibility in class.”
Matt Memmo, member of the Upper School Technology Department, expressed the same relief as Lew. “A lot of teachers want to use the labs for different projects, and it gets a little tough to find time because there are conflicts.”
Photo Courtesy of Michael Leslie
Memmo, added, “For me personally, I teach digital design which uses Photoshop, and I can’t really give homework because the software is too expensive. However, with the laptops it will already be installed, so outside class time will be available.”
Memmo suggested, “Teachers will need to be trained on how to gear lessons towards a classroom filled with laptop users.”
Moreover, he mentioned, “We really won’t even need the labs in the current state, and there’s talk into making it like a Makerspace.” A Makerspace is a “flexible room that will have more than one digital 3D printer, flexible furniture that can move around to fit the needs of the teacher, and lots of power outlets.”
The concept of the Makerspace is directed towards S.T.E.M. learning (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math).
“The whole Makerspace mentality is giving students the ability to tinker and create and the theory behind that is it leads to powerful learning.”