The Simple Things - Part 2

Our students have been utilizing Google Apps for Education for several years. Until the start of this year, it has been leveraged for collaborative tools like Google Docs. This year we decided to enable a limited email service for middle school students to coordinate with the launch of 1:1. It was expected to be a possible channel to communicate with a student or an entire class. We did not realize what an essential tool it would prove to be. Teachers are frequently sending homework or project updates to the class list. In some cases, homework assignments have been distributed and collected by email. Teachers have appreciated the ease of communication that it provides. Students have also taken advantage. They can easily get clarification on grades or assignments from their device. Like the wired keyboards, email has been one of the simple things that have made 1:1 successful.

The Simple Things - Part 1

One of the simple things that has made the 1:1 program work better for our students was the addition of wired keyboard from Logitech. It was a long process; they were announced last spring, pre-ordered in June and finally shipped in October. These keyboards have the benefit of being full size and truly "plug and play." There is no configuration or temperamental Bluetooth connections to deal with. They have been a great addition to our program and they have really helped students when a class period will require a lot of writing.