More than 300 convertible laptops were given to Oak Ridge middle school students for educational use in November. About 190 are being used by seventh-grade students at Robertsville Middle School, pictured above, and roughly 130 were distributed to sixth-grade students at Jefferson Middle School. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)
In what was described as a “game-changer,” more than 300 convertible laptops were given to Oak Ridge middle school students for educational use in November.
The laptops, which must be returned at the end of each school year, are part of a new program named Access Oak Ridge.
About 190 seventh-grade students at Robertsville Middle School and roughly 130 sixth-grade students at Jefferson Middle School are trying the devices this month, and they could be “rolled out” to all middle school students, grades 5 to 8, in January, Oak Ridge Schools Superintendent Bruce Borchers said.
The students are using Lenovo Yoga 11e convertible laptops that can be used as laptops, tablets, tents, or stands. The children can use the computers for all subjects.
“When implemented well, the research shows an increase in student engagement and achievement,” Borchers said.
Children will be able to access digital textbooks and digital resources on the laptops.
“It’s a game-changer,” Borchers said.
There are strong filters in place on the computers, and teachers can lock all screens and remotely log into them. The computers are for instructional use and can be collected and inspected at any time.
“There is no privacy on these machines,” Borchers said.
He said about 20 percent of students don’t have access to a computing device at home. The so-called one-to-one devices provide an “equitable learning opportunity” for all children, Borchers said.
“As we begin this process and take it to where we are system-wide, it puts all the students on the same plane,” said Keys Fillauer, chair of the Oak Ridge Board of Education.
School officials said the laptops could help students who miss class. They will supplement textbooks for now, but electronic devices could someday replace textbooks.
Oak Ridge Schools has a program that allows students to bring their own devices, but technical aspects of that program have been difficult, including ensuring that staff can access them, and resolving wireless compatibility issues. But once devices are set up properly, the program runs properly, officials said.
The distribution of the Lenovo Yoga 11e laptops—along with chargers, protective sleeves, and insurance—is the first phase of the Oak Ridge Schools’ digital technology initiative.
“This will be fabulous,” said Jennifer Cantrell, a third-grade teacher at Linden Elementary School who has two children in seventh grade.
A handbook distributed at the November rollout at RMS included a handbook for students and parents. Among other things, the handbook says the devices are school property, and students will be responsible for any damage.
The distribution of the laptops was a bit like Christmas Day for some students.
“It’s hard to not be smiling,” Borchers said.
More than 300 convertible laptops were given to Oak Ridge middle school students for educational use in November. About 190 are being used by seventh-grade students at Robertsville Middle School, pictured above, and roughly 130 were distributed to sixth-grade students at Jefferson Middle School. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)
Still, it’s going to be a learning experience for families, Fillauer said. The kickoff included a discussion of policies, procedures, and insurance, and “digital citizenship talk” from teachers about creating safe online environments for students.
Borchers said Knox County has several schools, possibly nine or 10, using one-to-one devices; Lenoir City has completed a pilot program and is “moving forward”; and Maryville has been using a 1:1 program for three years.
Still, it’s not about the devices, but rather about Access Oak Ridge, Borchers said. Teachers are still the number one factor in increasing student achievement, he said.
“We recognize that digital literacy has become essential to prepare students for college and career readiness in today’s world,†Borchers said when the initiative was introduced in August. “Numerous studies have shown that digital 1:1 initiatives raise student achievement and engagement. As part of our continued commitment to our students and the community, we’ve taken steps to ensure that every student receives a high-quality, 21st century education.â€
The school system said Access Oak Ridge will enable greater “differentiated learning for ORS students, expand the classroom beyond the school walls, and help close the digital divide in a school district with an increasingly economically disadvantaged student population.
“Access Oak Ridge will also play a critical role in helping ORSÂ retain and attract top educators, as well as area businesses and families choosing schools for their children,” officials said.
In addition, Access Oak Ridge will help middle school students prepare for the online state assessments beginning in the spring of 2016, officials said.
School officials said the two grade levels at JMS and RMS were chosen for the initial device rollout after discussions between principals and their staffs.
“It benefits Oak Ridge Schools as a whole to have teachers building out and sharing digital curricula in two grade levels,” Oak Ridge Schools said.
The student laptops have been estimated to cost about $1.2 million. The 1,520 Lenovo 11E Yoga convertible laptops for students are worth $805 each and will be used by children in grades 5-8.
Teachers in grades 5-8 will get 116 Lenovo Yoga 12s devices worth $1,165 each.
The 1,636 computing devices for middle school students and teachers could cost $1.36 million, purchased through a $1.59 million, four-year CalFirst equipment lease.
More information will be added as it becomes available.
Copyright 2015 Oak Ridge Today. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
More than 300 convertible laptops were given to Oak Ridge middle school students for educational use in November. About 190 are being used by seventh-grade students at Robertsville Middle School, pictured above, and roughly 130 were distributed to sixth-grade students at Jefferson Middle School. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)
More than 300 convertible laptops were given to Oak Ridge middle school students for educational use in November. About 190 are being used by seventh-grade students at Robertsville Middle School, pictured above, and roughly 130 were distributed to sixth-grade students at Jefferson Middle School. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)
Copyright 2015 Oak Ridge Today. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Joseph Lee says
When I was the age of these students at JMS & RMS you needed a dime to get in touch with anyone about anything, that is if you were near a phone. Thank you Oak Ridge Schools. This is good news for Oak Ridge, given the fact that the future will be here in a minute.
Philip W Nipper says
Mr. Lee, were you short on dimes during your school days?
Joseph Lee says
Yes sir. However, things have a way of working out. I have no complaints and would not change a thing. Do you remember the punch card computer class? Now we all have http://www.com in our pocket. Imagine that. I hope we can find a way to get laptops for all students in our school system.
Will Smith says
There is another side, not necessarily a good side, to providing digital equipment. I’ve apparently been prevented from referencing such an opinion from another media outlet, but the digital age may not have as rosy an outcome as is projected.
Joseph Lee says
Things have a way of working out. Given the choice of education or ignorance I’ll take education any day. I have found it to be true that one cannot fix stupid. Thank you.
Will Smith says
Except we’ve already raised a generation, maybe two generations, of kids who can’t do something as simple as make change without the help of a cash register. (Don’t believe me? Try giving $2.07 to the kid behind the counter at McD’s for a $1.97 purchase and see what happens-without the cash register, most don’t have a clue) Now we’re raising kids who lack basic social problem solving, communication, and time management skills because their noses are glued to cell phones and now school approved digital devices. Just like there are apparent health effects to the immune system from not letting kids get dirty, now we’re in danger of having a generation of people who’ve never learned to deal with other people on a face-to-face personal level.