Students at Langford Middle School were the latest to receive Chromebooks and accessories through a program with Verizon. Langford is one of five Richmond County schools participating in Verizon Innovative Learning.
Cyiana Thompson, an 8th grader, said having the laptop will make it easier to do her assignments or learn from home when necessary due to a COVID-19 outbreak. Last year, she had to rely on old school techniques.
MORE: Verizon Innovative Learning Brings Devices to Five Richmond County Schools
“We were working with packets,” she said. “We had to go to the school and pick up packets and it was kind of complicated keeping up with all the papers and knowing when to turn them in.”
Langford principal Sherri Darden said last year the pandemic taught them about being ready to educate students in different learning environments.
“It was a challenge for us,” she said. “Not all students were able to have access to a technology device like a laptop or even the Internet. Or they might have one or the other. They might have a device but maybe not access to the Internet, which would impede learning.”
A lack of Internet connectivity is not an issue with these devices. They are set up to operate on what’s called “tong term evolution” or LTE. It’s the same technology used in many cellphones.
Darden said the devices give students accessibility and equity in learning.
“It also allows them to build up individualized learning whether you are accelerating or remediating students. It really opens up the learning atmosphere for our students,” she said.
This program started in 2014, according to the Verizon Digital Promise website. It has spread to more than 400 schools across the country, involving more than 212,000 students and 14,000 teachers. It is also being used at A.R. Johnson Health, Science and Engineering Magnet School and Hephzibah, Tutt and Spirit Creek Middle schools.
MORE: New Technology Available For Richmond County Students
Students will use the equipment at home and at school. The devices cannot be used to access social media or to play games unless it’s part of a lesson plan assigned by a teacher. Parents can buy insurance on the equipment assigned to their student for $8.82.
Although VIL is a separate program, it will work in partnership with the district’s PowerUp initiative. PowerUp uses education sales tax funds to provide a device for every student.
Dana Lynn McIntyre is a Staff Reporter with The Augusta Press. You can reach her at dana@theaugustapress.com.
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