Lenoir City Schools giving Chromebooks to students

Students in fourth through eighth grades will be able to take their laptops home each night. Lenoir City Middle School started a pilot program with seventh graders using the laptops last year. Both the chief technology officer and the principal of Lenoir City Middle say the computers were very effective.

“They were completely engaged all the time in the learning atmosphere,” said Chris Smallen, chief technology officer.

“We are preparing our students for their future not our past. We know that’s what they’re going to be experience when they go into high school and college, and so we want to provide that for them here and start that training early,” said Principal Brandee Hoglund.

Smallen says with the Chromebooks, they’re analyzing a three-phase approach.

“We want our students to become familiar with digital tools, because that’s their future. We want our teachers to be using project base teaching methods and focusing on personalized learning,” said Chief Technology Officer Chris Smallen. “We also want to use those digital tools in the classroom for instant feedback as to how the student is doing.”

“The energy here is exciting and yesterday we had a large influx in the morning and the kids were so excited. When you asked them are they ready to start school, they say yes, they can’t wait to get their Chromebook and that’s exciting to see,” said Hoglund.

Registration continues Friday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.