A Message About NREVSD Technology

Let me start by sharing how great students have been over the past couple of weeks. NREVSD has been Field Testing Computer-Based Online assessments in preparation for all paper-based state assessments to go online next year.

Students have been extremely patient and well behaved as we ran across glitches and issues along the way (To be expected of course). Our staff has done a tremendous job ‘rolling with the punches’ these past couple of weeks as well. Even though we’re just practicing the computer-based assessments this year, I believe we’re all going to benefit greatly next year by practicing now.

We currently have older desktop computers in labs across the district that have reached ‘end of life’ status and have become outdated and slow. The plan all along has been to replace all of these desktop computers in 2014-2015 with new desktop computers based on a 5-year replacement plan.

However, instead of replacing all of the desktop computers in the numerous labs district-wide for 2014-2015, we’re looking at the possibility of adding Chromebook laptop computers instead.

Some of the NREVSD schools currently have 3-4 desktop-based computer labs, we would reduce that down to one computer lab per school and add multiple Chromebook laptop carts in their place. These mobile carts would give teachers more flexibility for using technology in their classrooms and Chromebooks only cost around one-third of the amount compared to a new desktop computer.

Chromebook laptops would also give Students and Staff easier and more reliable access when taking online assessments that will be required next year.

Note: You can read more about what a Chromebook laptop is here.

Our Staff and Students will continue to utilize iPads in the classrooms for daily instruction, and the Chromebooks could then supplement this as well when not being utilized for online assessments throughout the school year.

Overall this plan gives our Students and Staff improved/more access to current Technology-based tools in our classrooms across NREVSD.

As always, don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions, suggestions or comments.

Take care,

Matthew Prichard

Director of Technology