Burnsville Teachers Receive Chromebooks

BURNSVILLE, MN — Nearly 180 middle school teachers in Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School District 191 received Chromebooks on April 19 as part of Vision One91 and the district’s plan to increase classroom technology. All middle school students will receive the same devices before the start of school next fall.

Chromebooks are lightweight, inexpensive devices that provide students and staff members access to the internet, their Google accounts and other web-based applications, including the district’s online learning system, Schoology. The model being used in District 191 includes a touch-screen along with a keyboard, so it also acts as a tablet, according to a news release.

“With the Chromebooks, students will have access to high-quality learning resources and the ability to create digital and multimedia projects that showcase their learning,” said Instructional Technology Coordinator Rachel Gorton in a statement. “They also provide increased opportunities for collaboration and communication among students and teachers, and expand the learning environment beyond the classroom.”

The "one-to-one" program began with high school students during the 2016-17 school year, according to the school district. Device use will also expand at the elementary school level in future years.

Purchase of the Chromebooks, along with training and many of the digital resources students will use, are possible thanks to the voter-approved Vision One91 technology levy referendum in 2015.

Image via Kevin Jarrett, Flickr, used under Creative Commons