21st Century Tools
The Greater Boston Project is currently Needham High School's only 1:1 technology program; every student in our course has their own device for use in accessing course content, practicing learning goals, and creatively utilizing various technology tools to enhance their learning. Though it is certainly true that we use the course to teach students new applications, extensions, tips, and tricks, we have determined that technology itself is not one of our learning goals, or skills to achieve. Rather, technology is one of many tools we can utilize to enhance teaching and learning, a means to an end.
GBP is currently piloting a "Bring Your Own Device" (BYOD) program in order to push innovation and creativity in our classroom. Below you will find a guide outlining the logistics of this program; should any GBP students or parents have any questions about the information below, please contact one of the GBP instructors or NHS Assistant Principal Johnny Cole ([email protected])
Concept & Rationale:
The Needham High School Tech and Innovation Committee is looking to create an environment where flexibility for families and access to technology meets inside the walls of the classroom. We would like to give GBP students and teachers the chance to experiment with a BYOD environment to best inform teaching and learning in this course and for other academic subjects.
This BYOD model recognizes that most programs and activities accessed in the classroom are web-based, making the device less important than how you use the device. Your child is expected to have their device with them every day, fully charged for this class and available for use in other classes (with teacher permission) and at home. Students are responsible for understanding how to use and perform basic troubleshooting for their device before the first day of use.
Options:
1. Borrow a school-owned device. While students are required to have an electronic device for class every day, families are not required to go out and purchase a new device. Needham High School has Lenovo N21 Chromebooks available for students to borrow.
2. Use a device you own or want to purchase. If you are making a family decision to purchase a device, the following is a list from the Tech and Innovation Committee of minimum requirements that a device should meet. The Lenovo N21 Chromebook is the device that the school will purchase that will meet student learning needs. Please note that the NPS is unable to support nor repair non-school devices.
Required Device Capabilities:
GBP is currently piloting a "Bring Your Own Device" (BYOD) program in order to push innovation and creativity in our classroom. Below you will find a guide outlining the logistics of this program; should any GBP students or parents have any questions about the information below, please contact one of the GBP instructors or NHS Assistant Principal Johnny Cole ([email protected])
Concept & Rationale:
The Needham High School Tech and Innovation Committee is looking to create an environment where flexibility for families and access to technology meets inside the walls of the classroom. We would like to give GBP students and teachers the chance to experiment with a BYOD environment to best inform teaching and learning in this course and for other academic subjects.
This BYOD model recognizes that most programs and activities accessed in the classroom are web-based, making the device less important than how you use the device. Your child is expected to have their device with them every day, fully charged for this class and available for use in other classes (with teacher permission) and at home. Students are responsible for understanding how to use and perform basic troubleshooting for their device before the first day of use.
Options:
1. Borrow a school-owned device. While students are required to have an electronic device for class every day, families are not required to go out and purchase a new device. Needham High School has Lenovo N21 Chromebooks available for students to borrow.
2. Use a device you own or want to purchase. If you are making a family decision to purchase a device, the following is a list from the Tech and Innovation Committee of minimum requirements that a device should meet. The Lenovo N21 Chromebook is the device that the school will purchase that will meet student learning needs. Please note that the NPS is unable to support nor repair non-school devices.
Required Device Capabilities:
- Battery life of 7+ hours
- A full keyboard (can be an add on to a tablet)
- Wireless capability
- A screen of at least 9 inches
- A sturdy case/construction.
- A microphone and a camera
- Updated Chrome Browser
- Student knowledge of and general proficiency with device
