Technology use in the Upper School primarily involves web-based tools. This means that the particular device that a student uses is less important than their comfort and familiarity with the device of choice. For that reason, rather than providing students with an iPad (as we do in Lower and Middle School), we ask that all students bring their own device to school everyday.
At school, students use technology for various classroom activities assigned by the teacher, including Schoology, Google Docs, Veracross, and other web-based tools. During the day students may also use their device to take notes in class, access the web, complete homework assignments, and attend Zoom meetings or classes. Since students are familiar with their own devices and can customize them for personal preference, they can focus on harnessing the power of technology in the service of learning—a key goal for digital literacy. At home, all students will need access to the Internet in order to access these tools.
In considering a device for your child to bring to school, you may find yourself overwhelmed by the range of available options. While students who are already familiar with the iPad may want to continue with that device, laptops are the device of choice for the majority of Upper School students who currently bring one to school. Additionally, if your child plans to take Computer Science or Engineering, they should plan to have a laptop (Mac or PC) and not an iPad or Chromebook. SEE RECOMMENDATIONS BELOW.
If you have questions or if you anticipate needing to borrow equipment for the fall, please contact Page Lennig.
Pros:
Broadest compatibility with software
Wide selection of vendors, price points
Works well offline
Some models can include a pen feature allowing students to write on the screen with a special stylus.
Cons:
Mid-High cost
Batteries often don’t last as long
Models vary in quality
Software susceptible to viruses, malware
Pros:
High quality devices
Batteries usually last a long time
Adept at multimedia (e.g. photos, video)
Not usually susceptible to viruses, malware
Easy to use and syncs with iPhone/iPads
Works well offline
Cons:
Higher starting price than Windows PCs
Minor compatibility issues
Single vendor, single price point
Touchscreen/tablet models not available
Pros:
Low cost
High reliability
No need for antivirus or security software
Variety of vendors, price points
Lightweight
No internal moving parts
Long battery life
Cons:
Dependent on a web connection
No hard drive
Cannot save files, photos, etc to the device - must be saved to the cloud
Cannot download or install local applications - Cannot us in Computer Science or Engineering courses
Only capable of browsing the web and using web applications (including Google Docs, Schoology)