Running a public school district is not easy. While staff and buildings might take up a lot of the core funds, taxpayers and unions alike will often focus on sports or technology as ways to save some money in the district. Since we don't see that American model of local school sports diminishing in the near future, we'll focus on technology. Here are some ideas that you can take to your local school board.
Chromebooks
If you are even thinking of going 1:1, Chromebooks are the way to do it. They are fairly durable, updated for five years, and capable of doing most of what needs to be done in school. Sure, you can get some high-end machines for video editing, but Chromebooks work well in most respects. If you don't want the expense of 1:1 computers, then make sure you're ready to pay for more good old fashioned textbooks. I like textbooks, but they are expensive, and necessary if the same information cannot be accessed by students online.
Use The Technology
Some teachers will not want to convert to all-Chromebook usage. They have textbooks, they believe in handwritten notes, and they have a method of teaching that works. These teachers are probably right in many ways, but students are changing all the time, and even the teachers who have been successful for decades have always had to adjust to what works for students. Not every classroom needs to have online surveys and quizzes, video-creation assignments, or class forums. If every teacher can figure out a way to use the Chromebooks once a week and replace at least one major assignment with a Google Presentation, then that's probably a good start. Use the Chromebooks, just don't try to overuse them or force all aspects of the program on teachers immediately.
Protect Your Technology
This might include writing the school name on the devices, but what we're really talking about it making sure the devices don't break all the time. You will need to invest in extra chargers because students will forget to charge their Chromebooks, but the kids will also set their books or lunches on top of the devices, pick them up by the screen, and generally treat them like the old smartphones their parents gave them. Get a Cranium by Educabana or something similar. Extra insurance and fees are annoying, so get cheap, effective protection.
Plan for the Next Purchase
Google has said Chromebooks are no longer supported after five years. Make sure all the players in your district understand this. Can they still be used? Will parents want them at that point? Does your supplier have a buyback program? Find out what happens in five years so that the initial purchase doesn't end up being a waste of money. Chromebooks are still way less expensive than traditional laptops that would also need to be upgraded with a new OS and more memory in the same five year window, but it's something to consider.
Conclusion
Chromebooks get the job done, as long as students and teachers understand what the job is that needs to be done. As a taxpayer, it's your responsibility to remind them of what that is. Chromebooks can be a useful tool if used properly, but they can also drain resources if not used at all or left unprotected. Help your school district to find resources that will allow the 1:1 transition to be as economical as possible.
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