October 2021 was a special month for the middle schoolers of Memorial and Thomas Jefferson Middle Schools in Fair Lawn, NJ.  All middle schoolers received devices.  Grade 5 and 6 students received New Chromebooks; while students in grades 7 and 8 received  devices that had been used during remote learning, which were cleaned and reconditioned prior to distribution. as part of the district’s larger one-to-one (1:1) initiative.

According to the Fair Lawn School District website, the objective of the expanded 1:1 initiative at the middle school level is to help prepare middle school students for expanded learning and opportunity in the rapidly changing 21st century. 

“[We hope] to ensure our students and schools are ready for the 21st century...[as] all Fair Lawn Middle School students in Memorial and Thomas Jefferson schools will be issued a Chromebook for more personalized learning opportunities both in and outside of school,” the district website said.

The 1:1 Chromebook program is the next big step from the larger 1:1 laptop initiative previously rolled out at Fair Lawn High School in the 2019-2020 school year. The 1:1 program has significantly changed the face of what learning can look like in the classroom and came just in time as students, teachers, and families have continued to adjust to life during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, in which schools across the country, Fair Lawn included, went partially or fully remote for months. 

Kathy Tobin, the Director of Educational Applications & Training in Fair Lawn, shared some important details and behind-the-scenes elements that went into the planning of this 1:1 initiative.

“Middle School teachers received their Chromebooks on Sept 1, which allowed them time to get familiar with their device, prior to student distribution….Teachers and students now have access to technology at all times, which extends the learning experience beyond textbooks….Student devices have filtered internet access which allows for a safer online experience, whether at home or at school,” Tobin said.   

In the event of technology issues, a place was established to help the Chromebook users out with any problems they may run into.

“The Tech Hub, similar to the high school Technology Resources & Assistance for Cutters Center (TRAC), was established in both middle schools as a place for both staff and students to have their Chromebook questions answered.  The Tech Hub is open during the school day for drop in assistance,” Tobin said.

One significant difference between the high school and middle school 1:1 initiative is the device itself. High school students received Dell 3190 laptops, while students at the middle schools received HP Chromebooks. 

“Chromebooks are generally lighter and less expensive than a laptop, so they are well-suited for middle school students. The middle students have the opportunity to use a 1:1 device, and learn the responsibility that comes with caring for the device and taking it home to school each day and charging it. The FLHS devices have features that can be better utilized in more advanced academic classes,” Tobin said. 

On the surface, the 3190s and Chromebooks may look similar, but they function on different operating systems. Chromebooks are powered by Chrome OS, which means users can only work when connected to the Internet, with the exception of Google’s “offline access” feature. Additionally, filtered internet access gives the students a safer online experience, and helps them to stay focused on completing assignments. 

A contributing factor in choosing these devices came in the form of teaching responsibility. Students must care for the devices, ensure they are brought to class, and bring them into the school for servicing if they encounter any problems.

The 1:1 Chromebook program yielded positive feedback from the students as well as teachers.

“I like the fact that you don’t have to have a phone in the classroom to participate in online activities. And I look forward to a virtual lifestyle,” said a Memorial Middle School student.