Teachers: Does your school use Chromebook carts or 1:1 model?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am not a teacher but a parent of middle schoolers so you can take my opinion fwiw. I can’t imagine returning to a cart model for this age student. Nearly assignments and hw (including math, music electives) are completed electronically. My kids use the chromebook at home to access due dates, check grades, email teacher if there’s a question or concern, in addition to finishing class work and completing hw daily. If they’ve been absent due to illness or a school-related field trip, they can stay on track and access what they missed on Canvas. They like that they can take good care of their device, and complained with the cart model that other devices were not maintained, were sticky and dirty, had keys that were not working, other operational issues.

MCPS has said they purchased a second set of charging cords for the schools to keep at school but my kids see no evidence that this statement is true. That would probably be helpful.

In our house, yes, they could log onto Canvas or their school gmail on our personal laptops. But not all families have that.

I think the cart model is appropriate for younger students but 1-1 is the better educational choice for secondary.

You are misunderstanding how the cart model works. Middle school kids have a device at home they can use - either their own or one provided by the school that does not go back and forth every day and get damaged. At school they use a chrome book from the cart. It is INFINITELY better than adding a Chromebook to the already dangerously heavy back pack and works very smoothly. TPMS parent.

You’re entitled to your opinion but I am not misunderstanding anything. The OP above, who is a teacher, said she was skeptical her school has enough devices to both stock the carts fully and provide for students to keep at home. That would be more than one device per student. Also, students at our MS don’t really use backpacks because they aren’t allowed in the halls. They use those zip up trapper keeper binders and slip the chromebooks inside. It’s not that heavy.

If you think it’s “not that heavy” I suggest you weigh some of the backpacks (yes kids do use them - mine puts his zip up binder INSIDE his back pack when he walks to school because how else would he cart his lunch and instrument and so do most kids). They are heavy enough to cause injury. Not to mention the damage to chrome books bringing them to school and back each day. MCPS is committed to providing them at home when needed. Once you actually experience the cart model you’ll see that it works extremely well and it also means that teachers don’t do everything online. Shock, some use paper!

My kid's laptop ( in case) doesn't fit in the backpack alongside the giant binder (smaller than the official recommended size!) and the bento lunchbox inside padded case.
(And don't forget water bottle).

Amazing how we got rid of textbooks but have so much more crap to lug nowadays. These poor kids ruining their backs.

Luckily we have an extra instrument so that doesn't commute too.

Sure. Chromebooks and binders are lighter (less dense) than textbooks. And schools have water fountains if you want to leave the water bottle at home.

Do you even have a student in MCPS?