Students assigned Chromebook computers

Students in the Wahkiakum School District have been using Chromebooks for a while, but recently, the district decided to purchase enough to assign a Chromebook to each student at the high school.

In the past, students checked out Chromebooks when they needed them. Now they are responsible for one that they will use throughout the school year. They'll turn it in at the end of the year and the very same Chromebook will be waiting for them when they return in the fall.

Some students aren't very happy about the new development, and some couldn't be more grateful.

"I don't like that it was assigned to me," said one student, "I don't like that I have to lug this thing around all day."

Another student was thrilled to have her own Chromebook.

"I don't have a computer at home," she said.

Joyce Wilson, the high school librarian, is on the front line when it comes to the Chromebooks. She checks them out to students when necessary and is the person the students bring their computers to when there is a problem. The charging stations are in the library.

According to Wilson, responsibility is one of the biggest lessons students are learning.

Each student is responsible for bringing his or her Chromebook to school each day and making sure it is charged. Fortunately, the Chromebook has enough power to last the day.

If a student forgets to bring the computer to school twice, they must spend an hour in detention after school.

Students and their families were offered insurance, set at $25 for the year.

"I think some students were wishing they had purchased the insurance," Wilson said. "We've had a rash of screens breaking recently."

The Chromebooks have been set up to block certain sites, and school Technology Director Paul Ireland is alerted if students are visiting sites they shouldn't be.

The Chromebooks allow students to do their work at home and in class. If they have access to the internet, they can do research, write papers and use Powerpoint as well as interact with other students and teachers. If they don't have internet access at home, they can still complete writing assignments.

A digital record notes when they turn in their assignments.

Each student uses Membean, an online tool to increase vocabulary. Each student works at his own level and at his own pace.

It turns out they can watch Netflix too.

So far the Chromebooks are mostly used in the English and history classrooms, but Sue Garn has been using it in her art classroom as well.

Eric Hansen's middle school students were the first to use the Chromebooks for an entire curriculum.

"The school adopted the curriculum for social studies," Hansen said. "Instead of having to pack a $90 book around they can use the Chromebooks, their cellphones, or their home computers to access the curriculum, which includes a lot of supplemental information as well as the book."

"I'm kind of the guinea pig," he said. "I don't mind it at all. I like it."

The technology makes it easier to reach more students. Not only can the students read the book, but there are auditory capabilities, which is great for audio learners.

Kids can put on their headphones and listen to the text. Sometimes Hansen turns on the speakers so the whole class can listen.

They also have some textbooks for the students who prefer them. Hansen admits there are a few and he's willing to accommodate them.

"I was given an entire encyclopedia set," Hansen said. "Kids don't know how to access encyclopedias. We are in a technological era. My son says it is the same way in college."