PCSST INTRODUCES CHROME BOOKS FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL

This is PCSST’s first year introducing chromebooks to our middle school. iPads have been introduced into the high school curriculum for students to learn from during the past four years. The seventh and eighth graders in PCSST now have access to chromebooks instead of iPads. How comfortable is it for the students to adapt to the chromebooks instead of paper to get work done? How convenient is this technology for teachers and students?

Director of Curriculum for PCSST, Dr Miceli, commented on the advantageous use of technology within the school. Dr. Miceli said, “Chromebooks got introduced last year for the first time with the seventh grade. So we decided that we would get them for the eighth grade, too.”

The cost of the chromebooks is estimated at around $200 per device. Dr. Micele commented, “Middle school didn't get iPads like the high school because of the school budget. Chromebooks are more economic and make more sense to be used for students to prepare themselves for PARCC testing. It is also easier for students to have a device with an actual keyboard. Our goal is to go paperless, since we are a technology school.”

One of the PCSST teachers, Mr Onorevole, said “The use of chromebooks as a paperless method is a different experience since it is my first year teaching at PCSST and chromebooks are new to me. The chromebooks are very easy to use, but access makes it hard to get the kids to just use the technology for work.”

Mr. Onorevole does a great job using the chromebooks in his class, “We use the chromebooks daily for Google Classroom, research, and presentations. The eighth graders have learned to use the chromebooks with good discretion and convenience so I would definitely keep them” he said.

Ms. Hoffman, a seventh and eighth grade teacher said, “ I use them everyday for the ‘Do Now’ assignment as well as summatives, formatives, and other assessments in order to increase instructional practice. Students use their chromebooks to research and analyze critical data and articles every day.”

Most importantly, Ms. Hoffman noted, “We are definitely saving trees by going paperless and using our chromebooks. I would never change anything about the chromebooks given the opportunity, except maybe getting students to master their writing skills before they type their work into their chromebooks.”

Technology is a great way to master writing skills. PCSST remains true to their name with regarding science (conservation) and technology.