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Lowellville schools approve Bring Your Own Technology policy
LOWELLVILLE
The laptop is the passport for Julie DiLoreto’s sixth- grade science class as the students research the world’s rocks and minerals.
“Computers allow us to visit parts of the world that we couldn’t visit” physically, said DiLoreto, a science teacher at Lowellville schools.
The Lowellville Local Board of Education approved the “Bring Your Own Technology” policy Dec. 22. The policy allows students to bring personal electronic devices such as e-readers, laptops, smartphones and tablets. The school would provide its own devices for students who don’t have them.
“Education as a whole can no longer ignore the explosion of technology with our current and future generations and research-based benefits,” said Geno Thomas, superintendent of the school district.
Thomas said the policy would be implemented gradually. The BYOT policy provided specific guidelines on how the technology should be used, and the consequences for inappropriate usage.
“I have concerns just as all the teachers do,” DiLoreto said, but added that using technology would be “extremely beneficial” to students.
Among her sixth-grade science class is Gavin Procick, 12, who said the technology is useful in the classroom.
“You can have access to anything,” he said.
Additionally, the school has already invested with bringing science, technology, engineering, and math-related electives to students. The school invested $60,000 worth in changes of classroom 43, a tech lab for middle-school and high-school students. The lab holds most of its robotics, computer-aided design, bridge building, welding and industrial technology classes.
Jared VanKirk, the principal of Lowellville schools, said the new policy will help prepare students for jobs that are not even created yet.
“It’s a great opportunity for our kids to advance,” he said.