Helping Grade 7 Students Navigate Online Distractions and Academic Expectations
The new Chromebook program gives Crescent School students the tools and structure to focus on their learning.
"It was an enormous challenge for Grade 7 boys to navigate the endless distractions posed by their devices, and the academic expectations they faced,” says Grade 7 teacher Lisa Weldon, recalling what it was like prior to the Chromebook rollout this year. “With this controlled approach, we are guiding the boys to become more self-aware, self-regulating and honest users of their laptops.”
In September 2019, all Grade 7 students at Crescent received school-issued Chromebooks loaded with education-centric software tools. Among these are Hapara, which gives teachers visibility into students' online work, and Classcraft, a game-based tool for teaching digital citizenship and encouraging positive behaviour.
“In the same way that a teacher has access to a student’s textbook and binder, Grade 7 teachers now have the ability to monitor a student’s screen during class,” says Weldon. “We can block out distractions and address off-task behaviour in real-time.” The gamification aspect appeals to the boys, “It motivates them to work through material they might otherwise have deemed unimportant. The ability to earn or lose points draws their attention to how their devices impact their learning,” says Weldon.
“We are raising the boys’ awareness about how they are using technology and developing their focus and distraction mitigation skills,” says Martha Miller, Director of Innovation & Technology, who led the Chromebook program. “This will benefit them in the future as they move away from managed devices into an environment with more online freedom.”
The Chromebook program will expand to both Grades 7 and 8 next year. “I hope that it will provide us with valuable learning that can be also applied to Lower and Upper School students in the future,” says Miller.
Learn more about Crescent's Middle School
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In September 2019, all Grade 7 students at Crescent received school-issued Chromebooks loaded with education-centric software tools. Among these are Hapara, which gives teachers visibility into students' online work, and Classcraft, a game-based tool for teaching digital citizenship and encouraging positive behaviour.
“In the same way that a teacher has access to a student’s textbook and binder, Grade 7 teachers now have the ability to monitor a student’s screen during class,” says Weldon. “We can block out distractions and address off-task behaviour in real-time.” The gamification aspect appeals to the boys, “It motivates them to work through material they might otherwise have deemed unimportant. The ability to earn or lose points draws their attention to how their devices impact their learning,” says Weldon.
“We are raising the boys’ awareness about how they are using technology and developing their focus and distraction mitigation skills,” says Martha Miller, Director of Innovation & Technology, who led the Chromebook program. “This will benefit them in the future as they move away from managed devices into an environment with more online freedom.”
The Chromebook program will expand to both Grades 7 and 8 next year. “I hope that it will provide us with valuable learning that can be also applied to Lower and Upper School students in the future,” says Miller.
Learn more about Crescent's Middle School
