Diving Into SJPS’s Chromebook Implementation
Change can be annoying. And for our school district, a big change occured. The St. Joseph Public Schools (SJPS) administration and School Board of Education have effected a new system, revoking the Bring Your Own Device policy (BYOD) and implementing a new mandatory use of school-owned devices. This shift – centered around the School Board’s new Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Plan – is to promote equitable learning for all SJPS students.
Despite the addition of Chromebooks to our students’ arsenal, the greater SJHS population is unaware of the equity behind it because they were not informed.
For years, SJHS ran on a BYOD, which allowed students to bring any computer of their choice. But during this year’s customary first-day technology presentation, students were presented with the new computers. This, for some, was abrupt and undesired. Sitting in the Student Center as Mrs. Amy Dirlam spoke about Chromebooks, many said things like, “Awww man,” or “I just got this new computer!” and, “Wait, are they for real?” These reactions had one thing in common: their negativity.
A recent survey conducted by the Wind-Up of SJHS students showed that over 50 percent of students dislike the Chromebooks. Another 30 percent claim neutrality, leaving 15 percent liking the new devices. For something free, these are comically bad reviews.
photo by cooper white
“Change is hard. My hope is that once students become more comfortable with the devices, the negative feelings will subside,” Mrs. Dirlam, the SJPS Director of Curriculum, said. She responded to these harsh critiques with understanding, yet the administration has still not given the greater majority of students a reason for feelings to subside. It was not communicated that the devices intended to build equity, and students see it as a ban against their own, sometimes superior, devices.
To further understand the lengths at which this miscommunication reaches, multiple students were interviewed, asking one simple question: “Do you know why the Chromebooks were implemented?” There were many no’s. Eventually, one answered, “To make it easier on the teachers.”
In a way, this is correct, but it does not fully encompass the reason. Finally, there was a correct answer. “I don’t know really, but maybe because they wanted to make sure everyone has equal stuff.” Andy Barlow, 10, said. That word: equal. Even within the fog of this simple, yet convoluted issue, we circle back to social justice.
The School Board implemented these devices to promote equity, not equality. Equity is not equality. Equality means that all things, whether that be individuals or otherwise, have equal opportunities. Equity, however, does not make everything equal, but instead makes everything fair. For example, if three people of different heights try to look over a fence, the tallest person would have the advantage. If we wanted equality, we would give all three people a box to stand on: raising the tallest even higher. Equity, however, suggests that we give a large box to the smallest individual, and a smaller box to the medium-heighted individual, so, in the end, they are all at an equal height looking over the fence. Equity is not the same as equality, but it can help create it. In SJHS, Chromebooks help people of different backgrounds, cultures, and classes, to have the same opportunities as peers who may be privileged.
As our world changes, our school system changes too. The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Plan is a fundamental part of our school adapting, and Chromebooks are a part of that plan.
The devices promote student success in many ways. By putting every student on a single device, teachers have the ability to instruct technological directions without taking time to account for many different device types. Additionally, the Chromebooks take the financial responsibility of BYOD off of students and their families.
“The Chromebook devices provide a common learning environment for all students and offer the tools needed for success at SJHS. In issuing all students a Chromebook, the burden is taken off of the student and family to provide a device, thus allowing for more focus on the actual LEARNING on the device and not the worry of securing one,” Mrs. Dirlam elaborated. When students come from diverse backgrounds, SJPS is faced with the challenge of aiding students in individual ways. Some may need more financial support in obtaining a device, while others have nice devices. The new computers remove this barrier.
Overall, these devices help improve the school district’s equity. While initial reactions may be harsh, it is important to understand there is usually more to the story than one may know. They help bring fairness beyond just learning, breaking divides between those of different backgrounds and financial ability.
“As an educator, my job is to ensure that every student has an opportunity to reach his or her maximum potential. Being a kid/teenager/young adult is difficult enough in and of itself. If we can provide every student with a device that houses the necessary tools for learning, then that is one less worry a student has when walking through our doors,” Mrs. Dirlam concluded, encapsulating the difference these devices have the potential to make.