August 23rd, 2016
This is an exciting time to be a grade nine student in the Waterloo Region District School Board. All high schools will be participating in the Chromebook 1:1 initiative. This means that every grade nine student will receive a Chromebook for use for the entire school year.
What is a Chromebook?
A Chromebook is a mobile computer that runs on Google Chrome’s operating system. These machines are designed to be used primarily while connected to the Internet. They are optimized to allow the use of Google applications (e.g., Google Drive, Google Calendar, Gmail, and Google Classroom). WRDSB students already have GoogleApps accounts provided to them by the Board, which they will use on their Chromebooks.
Why the 1:1 Project?
Using Chromebooks in the learning environment will empower students to gain the skills to be successful in the global community. Benefits to students include:
- Equitable access to resources
- Flow between face-to-face contact and the connected world
- Addressing the 6 Cs of the digital environment (communicate, collaborate, create, promote citizenship, critical thinking, character education)
- Differentiated instruction and self-paced learning approaches
- Using digital resources (and less paper)
- Timely feedback and documentation of learning
When will Grade 9 students receive their Chromebooks?
Students will receive their Chromebooks near the end of the day on the first day of school, September 6th. Students will be asked to take the Chromebooks home that evening, remove the packaging, charge the Chromebook and bring them back to school on September 7th and each day thereafter.