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GBN Notes for June 17
Updated: July 9, 2012 5:23PM
District discusses digital learning pilot program
This summer, Glenbrook High School District 225 will conduct a digital learning pilot program to explore the educational experience when students utilize electronic devices and textbooks in the classroom. At the Board meeting on June 11, Instructional Technology Director Ryan Bretag provided an overview of the program.
“We recently challenged our staff to read a digital textbook and found that a majority of them felt an active reading experience was good to exceptional,” said Bretag. “As we shift to a bring your own device learning environment it is important that we monitor how this will work for students and teachers in the classroom.”
The district maintains a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policy where students are allowed to use any type of electronic device to enhance their learning. This ranges from laptops, to tablets, to certain functions on a smart phone.
“Feedback has shown that our students don’t want to be told what type of device to bring, said Bretag. “They want to use the device they function best with.”
Three summer school classes will pilot the concept of diverse devices in the classroom — two U.S. History courses and one English course. Students will be able to bring their own device and receive free access to a digital textbook for the duration of the course. Students who do not have a device can elect to utilize one from the district at no cost. There is no device requirement, so students can choose to purchase and utilize a traditional book.
“Our district continues to focus on web-based applications to enhance learning, so the specific device becomes less important,” said Superintendent Dr. Mike Riggle.
