By Dr. Ben Churchill Superintendent Carlsbad Unified School District
Something exciting is happening in Carlsbad Unified’s middle schools. All sixth graders in the District have been issued their own Chromebooks to use throughout their time in middle school, whether in the classroom, the library, or at home. By 2018-19, every middle school student in CUSD will have a District-issued Chromebook.
Aviara Oaks Middle School sixth grade teacher Nicole Moersch describes how this program helps her students. “In many ways, today’s sixth graders have grown up with technology. Many have an iPad or Kindle at home that they can use to play a game or read a book. But many of our students do not know how best to use a device in an academic setting to collaborate with other students, to solve a problem in real time, or to find instructional resources online. Now my students experience how online learning can be individualized. They receive instant feedback. If they get the wrong answer to a problem, they can view a Chromebook video on that explains the problem, and then they get to try again. Students who miss a class can study the day’s lessons online or get instructional support from Go Math or the Khan Academy. Lessons are often multimedia, offering a rich instructional experience.”
“We are committed to providing digital resources for teaching and learning,” stated Dr. Rob Nye, Assistant Superintendent, Curriculum and Instruction. “Students need to learn how to be collaborators, critical thinkers, and creative problem solvers. Nearly all career paths require the use of digital tools to communicate and collaborate. We find that students who are encouraged to use technology as a part of their learning demonstrate greater engagement and motivation.”
Carlsbad Unified purchased 835 Chromebooks for nearly $200,000 and invested a substantial amount of time in preparing the devices, setting up procedures, and training staff. “Our team has put in lot of long hours to roll out our 1:1 Chromebook Program,” said Joseph Hartman, Director of Technology. “I am proud of how everyone pulled together to make this happen, including library techs, principals, teachers, and district leadership.”
“The 1:1 Chromebook Program provides opportunities for inquiry-based learning and project-based learning in the classroom and at home, and equitable access for all students,” said Megan Arias, Director of Secondary Education. “Our priority is to offer a lot of professional development throughout the year to support our teachers’ individual instructional goals and to share best practices.”
“Most teachers will need some extra support to integrate the Chromebooks into our teaching,” said Moersch. “I’m pleased that this year’s professional development includes a lot of technology training, with topics such as Google Classroom, Google Portfolio and Project-Based Learning. Most teachers are comfortable with technology, but occasionally some feel a little frustrated and challenged. You have to be willing to stumble a bit. Sometimes I feel like the kids know more about technology than I do.”
Robert Allen, Technology Teacher on Special Assignment, shared some perspectives. “These digital tools, by their nature, allow teachers and the students to make new discoveries about what is possible in the classroom. Teachers don’t need to feel anxious about being experts right now with Chromebooks in order to use them in their classrooms. Rather, they are coaches and mentors to young innovators. This requires that they be open not only to new ways of achieving their own curriculum but also to the notion that students may even begin creating their own personal curriculum and methods of learning.”
All Chromebooks are filtered for content on and off campus. Students are taught Digital Citizenship, which focuses on the skills and behaviors students need to use technology and the internet appropriately. Parent informational nights are being held early in the school year to share information and answer questions. A website has been created with frequently asked questions and detailed information: sites.google.com/carlsbadusd.net/1to1. And Carlsbad Unified is always seeking business and community partners who can help bring state-of-the-art technology and expertise into the classrooms.
Sixth grade Chromebook users have given the program good reviews: “I like the responsibility part. I’m going to take good care of my Chromebook.” “We get to do all our homework on it. It’s much easier this way.” “I like that I don’t have to share it.” “It really works really well.” “It gives me confidence.” Their enthusiasm promises success for the future.