After four years of relying on reused laptops, Atlanta Public Schools has issued new Chromebooks to all students. Each computer comes equipped with an extra camera and stylus and is meant for more efficient student use.
Media Specialist Brian Montero believes it was time for the old Chromebooks to be replaced.
“A lot of the issues we were seeing were hardware issues, wear and tear issues, screens coming undone, screens popping out, just anything and everything like that,” Montero said. “We definitely needed new devices because we would have made it through another year with the ones we had previously.”
Sophomore Abbie Alexander believes the implementation of new computers has led her to an easier transition into the school year.
“[The computers] were a great decision on the school’s part,” Alexander said. “I think it will definitely help as more and more classes enter the school, and for people to be able to work better and efficiently use technology.”
With the addition of the stylus, students can complete different kinds of assignments; Advanced Placement English Literature and Composition teacher Brian McNeil noted that this addition has impacted the structure of some of his lessons.
“I think with the new computers it’s too soon to tell if work quality is improving, but what I have noticed is that students are excited about the stylus,” McNeil said. “So far, it’s about the same level of assigned work, but it’s kind of motivating me to assign more creative work. It’s causing me to become a little more creative in the assignments, so I’ve certainly been incorporating assignments that students are required to maybe draw, or use the stylus.”
Senior Sam Otoski has mixed feelings about the new computers. While he enjoys the new design, he believes they are unreliable.
“The old computers were outdated, and each year when I got a new one there would be very obvious signs of use and damage from the previous owner,” Otoski said. “I really like the new compact design of the new computers, I previously had trouble carrying the bulky design of the old ones. I think I don’t like how unreliable the new ones are. They are noticeably slower than the old ones, and I constantly have random things happen to them.”
In addition to purchasing new computers, this is the first year that Midtown does not have access to a dedicated technology support person.
“We’ve just gotten used to having a person around all the time,” Montero said. “You didn’t have to put in a ticket to have them come out. Now, we just have to be a lot more mindful about putting in a ticket. Anything that goes wrong, we just put in a ticket. We do have the technicians, when they do come, they do a great job. They are getting everything back online. It’s just we have to do a little bit more documenting to get them to officially come out; we have to follow their protocols. We’re finding a balance.”
In her freshman year, Alexander said she struggled a lot with technical issues on her older, school-issued Chromebook.
“I think a lot of the time there were issues with the case of the older computers,” Alexander said. “They would be falling apart, or they would be slow, or sometimes, they just wouldn’t turn on. I had a couple of issues where the computers would go completely black. Lots of kids had the screens falling out, or some of the keyboard keys were off. I think having a nice fresh batch is a lot better.”
While it is still only the early days of these devices, McNeil hopes the new computers will bring a solid improvement.
“I’m a techie, so anytime that we get new computers, I think it’s a wise investment,” McNeil said. “I know that Chromebooks from last year were terrible. Even with the quality of the work that we do in class, the assignments that are made, vlogs and so forth, the camera quality was worse. But with these new laptops, I’m hoping that the quality has improved, you know, allowing students to make better and richer products.”
Going forward, Alexander has optimistic expectations for what the new Chromebooks will bring to Midtown.
“In the future, if the school is able to continue being consistent with keeping the technology new and up to date, then that will have a positive effect on the students,” Alexander said. “It enables them to learn in a more technologically advanced environment.”
