Collingswood Schools Considering Google Chromebooks for Students

Collingswood schools are continuing to push towards a district-wide student technology initiative for 2014, as leaders offered a bit more clarity on the devices in question at the final meeting of the board of education in 2013.

Collingswood is "leaning towards [Google] Chromebooks," said Superintendent Scott Oswald, for their "cost, convenience" and ability to support web-based educational initiatives.

"A lot of teachers already use Google Docs" for lessons, Oswald said, making the devices a likely fit for educators.

Although district leaders are still deciding at which grade level to debut the laptops—sixth-graders are still the front-runners in talks—they are in agreement that the flash-based Chromebooks are the way to go, the superintendent said.

Oswald said the district estimates about 140 to 150 students will be in its sixth grade next year.

The Chromebooks, which have an approximate cost of $279 apiece, will support "95 percent of what we need to do" with minimal support and maintenance cost to the district, Oswald said.

Furthermore, Comcast offers $10-a-month broadband Internet to children in households that are eligible for free and reduced lunch, Oswald said.

"Not many take advantage [of the program], and our thought is that there is no need because there isn’t a device at home," Oswald said. "If a child brings a laptop home every day,[that might change]."

The Board of Education first announced its intention to pursue a student technology initiative in August.