Roberson teacher Jennifer Ogunsanya receives her new laptop.Teachers at most Spring ISD schools will be receiving new laptops by the end of the month as part of a districtwide initiative to upgrade technology.
Currently, laptops being used by teachers are an average of seven years old. Not only are the processors slow, but the machines are bulky compared to the latest models. On Monday, laptops were delivered at Roberson Middle School, which is one of the first campuses to receive the new computers.
“The one I had before it was slow, but I hope everything works better and faster with this one,” said Jennifer Ogunsanya, Roberson English language arts eighth-grade teacher. “This helps a lot. It helps with instruction; it speeds things up and helps us connect with the kids.”
Some schools already received new laptops in support of campus programs over the past two years, including Bammel, Eickenroht, Lewis and McNabb elementaries, so they aren’t part of the latest distribution.
The goal is to make sure all teachers have laptops that are able to run the latest Windows operating system and suite of software. “Updated technology will help our teachers prepare lessons, present concepts, assess performance and communicate with parents and colleagues,” said Chief Operations Officer Mark Miranda, who oversees the district’s technology department. “We’re working with our vendor Dell to get these laptops imaged and distributed as quickly as possible.”
Not only teachers are receiving new laptops this month, but all of the district’s elementary schools will also be receiving nearly 6,000 Chromebooks under the 2016 bond program. Those computers will be used in district classrooms to enhance instruction and to allow students access to digital learning tools.
The Chromebooks will be arriving to the schools on 182 carts, with an average of 32 computers per cart, which can be easily transported among the classrooms, Miranda said.
“The Chromebooks offer value compared with other laptops while still providing the connectivity needed for students to be engaged learners,” he said.