By Mika Hughes
At the beginning of the 2022-2023 school year, Irvington issued new chromebooks to the district. These computers are faster, can fold in half to be used like a tablet and, most noticeably, they have touch screens.
School-provided devices were originally distributed to the middle school three years ago. Over time, they were slowly introduced to the elementary and high schools. Currently, every school in the district provides students with their own chromebooks.
Through a survey released last year by Technology Director Jason Strumwasser, the Technology Department found that many students, parents and teachers were unsatisfied with the chromebooks. Their largest concern was the slow internet and how they desired touch screens. This feedback was taken to the Board of Education earlier this year, where they discussed potential solutions.
Originally, middle schoolers were given Acer chromebooks purchased in 2019. Students last year used a mixture of old devices and HP chromebooks released in 2020. This school year, students received Acer chromebooks released in 2021.
These new computers were given to students in grades 1, 6 through 12 and middle/high school staff members. Older, functioning devices are being used by elementary school students in grades 2 to 5.
In the future, Strumwasser and the Technology Department aim to supply all schools in the district with newer technology. This process has not only begun with the purchase of new chromebooks, but with an increased access of printers in public spaces such as the library.
