EWCSD believes that the integration of technology into the learning process is essential to preparing students for their futures. 1:1 technology provides anytime/anywhere learning and opens the doors to creativity, collaboration, community, communication and critical thinking skills that students need to compete and contribute in our local and the global society.
By preparing our students in an ethical and safe manner we are preparing them for their futures. The Common Core Standards both explicitly and implicitly require students in all grades to use technology to research, collaborate, and create original works. Additionally, the end-of-the-year California State Assessments begin in third grade and are administered entirely on a computer. Using technology throughout the year in an authentic manner will better prepare our students for this new generation of assessments.
A Chromebook is a laptop running Chrome OS as its operating system. Chromebooks are designed to be used primarily while connected to the Internet and integrate with Google Apps for Education, the collaborative learning environment used by EWCSD teachers and students.
Chromebooks give students, teachers, and administrators a simple solution for fast, intuitive, and easy-to-manage computing. Chromebooks provide access to the web's education and collaboration resources, as well as offer centralized management and low total cost of ownership. Chromebooks offer durable and affordable access to learning resources for all students.
Our 1:1 program requires that all students carry with them and use the District-standard Chromebook at school for a number of reasons, including the following:
By providing a consistent device for every student, we can ensure that all students have the same applications and capabilities to complete their schoolwork, as well as to learn how to use the technology both in class and from their peers.
Consistent technology enables teachers to plan and teach to a uniform learning environment and allows district staff to provide effective on-campus support should a problem arise - something that we would be unable to provide in a free-for-all technology environment.
The new state online assessments require specific "secure" software that we are unable to install on personal computers. We can "push" out software and updates to District Chromebooks as needed, which we will be unable to do for personal computers.
Currently we are unable to manage non-district owned Chromebooks. Unfortunately this means that we are unable to push critical settings and applications, including the district web filter, the new state online assessment secure application and wireless network settings. Therefore we cannot allow the use of personal Chromebooks at school as this time.
No. The Chromebook will not replace the teacher or traditional hands-on activities that also make learning fun and relevant. Teachers will carefully plan lessons that make appropriate use of technology and will continue to provide exceptional teaching and learning opportunities for students. Just as your student doesn't use a pencil for every learning activity at EWCSD, neither will they use the Chromebook for every learning activity.
No, students will continue to have textbooks; however, they can expect fewer textbooks in upcoming years as EWCSD expands its implementation of 1:1. Some students may be enrolled in courses that continue to utilize textbooks to support classroom instruction. It is important to note that the curriculum is not dictated by the textbook. The textbook is one of many resources used to deliver the curriculum.
This program represents a partnership between teachers, students and parents. Parents are encouraged to talk to their student about how they are using technology to learn in the classroom and what their teachers expectations are for them with the technology at home. This is also an opportunity to talk to students about personal responsibility. Students will need to care for their device, charge it, and use it to the fullest educational potential. With parental support, the district is certain that students will benefit from 1:1 technology and instruction.
Filtering software is installed on each device and will be active anywhere the student uses the computer, including at home. However, it is important to recognize that no web filter is capable of blocking all objectionable content all of the time.
Ensuring student's are accessing the Internet responsibly both at school and at home requires a combination of "over the shoulder" monitoring, periodically reviewing student Internet activity and educating students on the appropriate use of the Internet.
Students will keep their devices over breaks.
Chromebooks do not have “administrative” accounts that provide elevated permissions or supervision capabilities. Student Google Apps for Education accounts are managed by the district. If a parent would like access to their student’s account, you can request the account password from one of your student’s teachers. You will be able to login to their Google Apps for Education account, which will give you full access to your student's data and web browser history.
Fortunately the Chromebook is a straightforward device that requires minimal support. School technical support staff are available to troubleshoot and diagnose issues during the school day. If the device should have an issue after school, students should alert their teacher the following school day. For issues that cannot be resolved quickly, a temporary Chromebook will be issued while the student’s device is being repaired.
Yes, students can sign into their ewcsd.org Google Apps for Education account and access their school data from a personal computer. However, their internet access will not be filtered by the District’s web filter as it is when using a District-assigned Chromebook.
Chromebooks should be used for educational purposes. 3D intensive games and Java based games (like Minecraft) will not run on a Chromebook. However, the Chromebook will run many HTML5 web based games and the school web filter is set to block many of these game sites. If you find your student accessing a web-based game, please email the web site to takehome@ewcsd.org and we will evaluate the site for inclusion in the district web filter.
Report the lost or stolen Chromebook to your teacher/school administrator immediately. If the Chromebook is lost or stolen after school hours or off campus, file a police report. If you purchased the optional insurance, file a claim for reimbursement. You are responsible for the replacement cost of the device, currently $260, to be paid to the school in the event the device is not recovered.
Students will keep their Chromebook during the 6th through 8th grade.
At the login screen, click Alt-V and the serial number will appear in the top right corner of the screen.