New students, new technology
It was back to school for Rhinelander High School incoming freshmen and new students Thursday. This year, in addition to the regular orientation routine, students received a new piece of equipment that they will use for their entire high school career. The school district purchased Google Chromebooks for all ninth and tenth grade students at RHS and Northwoods Community Secondary School. Chromebooks are cloud- based computers that allow students to organize their classes and homework, complete projects together and learn in real time.
According to School District of Rhinelander Instructional Technology Coordinator Heidi Catlin, the district has been working behind the scenes to prepare for this day. “We’ve been researching options for many years, but the cost has kept it out of our reach,” said Catlin, “We’ve been updating the wireless infrastructure for the past couple of years, and started the students and staff working in the cloud environment in the meantime.”
The 2013-2014 school year brought these devices to Central Intermediate School’s fourth and fifth graders and students at the middle school, but not necessarily on a one student to one computer ratio. This is the first year the computers are available for RHS and NCSS students to keep in their possession, including bringing them home.
“The students will be instructed on responsibility and care, as well as how the Chromebooks can be used to help them learn,” Catlin said. “Teachers will be using them in different ways, depending upon the subject matter.”
With the business world becoming more and more integrated, these 2018 graduates will have one more tool in their belts preparing them for the future.
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