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Evaluation of the One to One Chromebooks and Google Apps Program

Prepared for the Administrators at Highland Lakes School District

Submitted By:

John Potosnak EDTECH 505

December 2014

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Summary The Google Chromebook is a computing device that runs Chrome OS. It is a cloud-based computer with all of the user data being stored on the web. The Chromebook combined with Google Apps for Education has made Google a leader in the field of educational technology. Google Apps consists of tools similar to Microsoft Office but allows students to collaborate in real-time with other students from anywhere in the world. The accessibility and ease of manageability of Chromebooks and Google Apps combined with the affordability of them has lead many school districts to adopt Chromebooks for student use in a one-to-one setting. Since September of 2014, a homeroom consisting of sixteen fourth grade students at Cedar Tree Elementary School in Highland Lakes School District has been piloting the one-to-one Chromebook and Google Apps program for the district. The administration requests the program be evaluated to determine if the program is meeting its objectives of integrating technology into the curriculum, creating an engaging and collaborative learning environment, and to see if students are learning what's being taught through the use of Chromebooks. The students completed a survey, and the results show that the objectives are being met. Students showed highly positive responses in regards to their engagement, excitement, and enjoyment when using Chromebooks and Google Apps in the classroom. The results also show that students feel the program is increasing their understanding and helping them learn. Highland Lakes School District is looking to make the entire district one-to-one in the near future and has been exploring different devices throughout recent years. Before the Chromebook piloting program began, the district explored iPads but found them difficult to manage in bulk. Also, the high cost of the iPads led to exploring other devices. The administration will be reviewing the findings of the evaluation as they consider what technological devices will be purchased for the district’s one-to-one initiative. Program Description Highland lakes School District’s Cedar Tree Elementary School in Highland Lakes, NJ has been piloting a one-to-one Chromebook and Google Apps setting since September of 2014. This program is being completed with one homeroom, consisting of sixteen fourth grade students that have access to Chromebooks for the entire school day. Each student has their own cloud-based Google Apps account which allows them to use the suite of collaborative tools available from Google, including Google Drive, Docs, Form, Presentation, Classroom, Sheets and more. The instructor, Ms. Reynolds, decides what activities the Chromebooks will be used for and has the students complete assignments with the Chromebooks on a daily basis. Students cannot take the Chromebooks home, but they can access their Google Apps account on any computer anywhere in the world, which contains all of their files and assignments. This allows a seamless transition between schoolwork and homework. The program will run from September 2014 - June 2015. This evaluation is taking place during the program’s third month to determine if it is meeting the objectives and to make recommendations for the future of the program.

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Program Objectives The administrators and technology committee of the Highland Lakes School District established the objectives for the one-to-one Chromebook and Google Apps program. The objectives of the program were discussed with the principal investigator during the initial meetings. The goals of the program are the following:

1. To integrate technology into the curriculum.

2. To create an engaging and collaborative learning environment.

3. To enable students to learn what's being taught through the use of Chromebooks. Program Components This program is comprised of two interrelated components: Chromebooks and Google Apps. Chromebooks are laptops that operate the Chrome operating system and are designed by Google. These computing devices operate in the cloud, and all of the data is stored on the web. This allows the user to access their files on any Chromebook by simply logging into their Google Apps account. By having a Google Apps account, students are able to access the many educational applications offered by Google including a suite of tools similar to those of Microsoft Office. Teachers and students do not have to worry about computers getting mixed up or locating student files because they are always saved automatically in each student’s Google Apps account. Google Apps accounts can also be accessed through any web-enabled device by going to Google.com in a web browser and logging in. Chromebooks were selected by the administration for use with students because they are easy to manage, collaborative, and affordable. Ms. Reynolds has been utilizing Google Classroom, which is an app where students can find and post assignments, see grades, and participate in discussions and more. In order to run this program, the instructor must use the Chromebooks and Google Apps during classroom instruction, activities, and homework assignments. Ms. Reynolds is consistently creating lessons and assignments that utilize the Chromebook and Google Apps. The purpose is to use the Chromebooks to enhance the curriculum and student learning, not to just use them for the sake of using them. Ms. Reynolds has been using the Chromebooks in a variety of subjects including Math, Science, Language Arts, and Social Studies. Students also complete traditionally paper-based assignments like daily journals on their Chromebooks. Ms. Reynolds tries to use the Chromebooks and Google Apps for at least one assignment per day and many days has been able to use them for multiple lessons.

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Evaluation Method Participants There are sixteen fourth grade students participating in the Chromebook and Google Apps program. All of the students are in Ms. Reynolds homeroom. The Director of Curriculum selected this sample by asking homeroom teachers to volunteer if they would be interested in piloting the program. Ms. Reynolds expressed interest and received training on how to integrate Chromebooks and Google Apps into the classroom curriculum. Personnel Ms. Reynolds is the instructor and program leader for the Chromebook one-to-one program. She is currently the only teacher in the school piloting the program. She has been a major asset throughout the evaluation process. Prior to beginning the program, Ms. Reynolds attended many workshops on integrating Chromebooks and Google Apps into the classroom. She has since been providing training for other staff members during professional days. Ms. Reynolds is in her fourth year of teaching. She spent her first two years as a Basic Skills Instructor for grades K-2, and this is her second year as a fourth grade homeroom teacher. Ms. Reynolds received her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Rutgers University in 2011. Mr. Harris is the Director of Curriculum for the Highland Lakes School District since October of 2013. He is responsible for bringing the Chromebook and Google Apps program to the district and selected the sample to pilot the program. Mr. Harris is the liaison between administrators and the principal investigator. He will be presenting the final evaluation report to the other administrators in the district. Evaluation Procedure The first step in this program evaluation was for the principal investigator to meet with the stakeholders: Ms. Reynolds (instructor) and Mr. Harris (Director of Curriculum). During the meeting with these stakeholders, the objectives of the one-to-one Chromebook and Google Apps program were explained and discussed. The stakeholders also made suggestions as to the types of questions that could be asked in the student survey. The principal investigator took this information and developed a short student survey that aligns with the goals of the program. The survey was then administered to students by the principal investigator. Since taking a survey was a new concept for almost all the students involved, the principal investigator explained what a survey was and that the students should answer honestly. In order to avoid confusion, the principal investigator read each question to the class and discussed the choices so that students could make a selection that represented their true feelings. Once the survey was completed the data was analyzed and the principal investigator completed the final evaluation report.

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Data Sources All of the data for this evaluation was collected through a student survey completed by sixteen fourth grade students. The survey consisted of 10 questions (see appendix A) that were created by the principal investigator with input from instructor and director of curriculum. Special attention was given to make each question align with one or more of the program objectives. The questions were also written to be age appropriate, allowing fourth grade students to easily understand them. The paper-based survey was given on November 19, 2014. The principal investigator read each survey question aloud and had students circle their selections. Results The primary source of data for this evaluation was the student survey of sixteen fourth grade students. This table below shows the data that was gathered from the survey. The numbers shown in the table represent the number of students that gave the corresponding response. Following the table, two survey question results are presented in graph form. The survey given to students can be seen in appendix A. Question Strongly

Agree Agree Not

Sure Disagree Strongly

Disagree The Chromebook program caused me to be more engaged in class.

9 2 4 1 0

I have fun when using the Chromebooks.

9 4 2 1 0

Using Chromebooks and Google apps increases my understanding of what we are learning

3 6 5 2 0

Collaborating with peers on assignments through Google Apps and Chromebooks helps me learn.

5 2 7 0 2

Chromebooks are easy to use during class.

11 1 4 0 0

I would like to use Chromebooks and Google apps for all of our assignments.

9 3 2 1 1

Having access to the internet and Google apps helps me learn more during activities.

6 5 4 1 0

When I hear that we will be using Chromebooks for an assignment I feel excited and happy.

9 1 1 3 2

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7%  

47%  33%  

13%  

Favorite  Subject  Using  Chromebook  and  Google  Apps  

Reading  

Writing  

Math  

Science  

Social  Studies  

0  

2  

4  

6  

8  

Favorite  Thing  About  Chromebooks  

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Discussion Fourth grade students at Cedar Tree Elementary School have been piloting the one-to-one Chromebook and Google Apps program since September. During the first three months, the students have used Chromebooks and Google Apps to complete many assignments and activities in a variety of subjects. This evaluation was done to see if the program is meeting its objectives of integrating technology into the curriculum, creating an engaging and collaborative learning environment, and to see if students are learning what's being taught through the use of Chromebooks. Overall students had very favorable opinions of the Chromebook and Google Apps program. The first objective of the program is to integrate technology into the curriculum. To examine this objective, students were asked several questions about their usage and enjoyment of Chromebooks in the classroom. The majority of students enjoy using Chromebooks for writing and math and felt that collaborating with classmates through Chromebooks and Google Apps helps them learn. Based on the results, we see that this objective is being met as students are using Chromebooks and Google Apps in a variety of subjects while increasing their engagement and understanding of what they are learning. The second objective is to create an engaging and collaborative learning environment. The results show that 69% of students stated that Chromebooks increased their engagement during class and only one student reported that it did not. The majority of students want to use Chromebooks for more assignments and feel happy when they hear they will be using Google Apps in the classroom. The students’ most favorite things about Chromebooks are that they are fun and that they can collaborate with peers. Several students agreed that collaborating with their peers through Google Apps helped them learn. The results show a large success for this objective. It is clear that the use of Chromebooks and Google Apps increases their engagement, enjoyment, and excitement about learning. The final objective was that Chromebooks enable students to learn what is being taught. The survey questions related to this objective received a positive response with 56% of students stating that their use of Chromebooks has increased their understanding of what they are learning. In addition, 69% of students reported that having access to the Internet through Chromebooks helped them learn. Only two students felt that Chromebooks and Google Apps were not increasing their understanding. There was a larger than normal amount of students who responded ‘not sure’ to the survey questions related to this goal. This is probably because of the students’ age and also because they have only learned the material being taught through the use of Chromebooks and Google Apps so they have no basis for comparison. The data shows that this objective is being met, and the students feel that they are not only learning but their understanding is being increased. Overall, this program is substantially meeting all of its objectives, and the students are thoroughly enjoying the use of Chromebooks and Google Apps. Since some of the student excitement could stem from the fact that the program is new, it is recommended that the program be re-evaluated at the end of the school year to see if the program is still meeting the objectives. Another recommendation is to use the Chromebooks more in subjects other than writing and

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math. It is clear that students are enjoying their use in writing and math but not as much in other subjects. Designing assignments that use Chromebooks and Google Apps in other subjects will help further the program’s goal of integrating technology into the curriculum. It is also recommended that Google Apps be used more for collaborative assignments. The ability to collaboratively work is one of the highlights of Google Apps, and it appears from the survey results that the Chromebooks are being used more for individual work rather than collaborative. Increasing collaboration among peers will lead to more engaged students and a better understanding of what the students are learning. A final recommendation is to spend more time teaching the students how to operate the Chromebooks and Google Apps to ensure success. There were four students who were unsure if Chromebooks were easy to use in class. Although this is not a high number, the overall objectives of the program will be better served if all students are able to easily operate the Chromebooks and Google Apps for completing assignments. It is possible that the students who had negative opinions of Chromebooks found them difficult to use and therefore do not benefit from their use. Making sure that all students can successfully operate the Chromebooks and Google Apps is important to the future of the program. Following these recommendations will help this program become even more of a success. Project Costs The principal investigator visited Cedar Tree Elementary three times throughout the evaluation process. During the visits the goals of the program were discussed and the student survey was administered. The rest of the days were used analyzing data and completing the final evaluation report.

Personnel John Potosnak (Principal Evaluator): 8 days X $500 per day $4,000

Travel Expenses: Visits to Cedar Tree Elementary (3 days) – 66 miles total at $0.55 per m. $36.30

Operating Costs: Office Supplies and materials $500

Total Budget: $4,536.30

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Appendices - Appendix A 1. The Chromebook program caused me to be more engaged in class.

Strongly Agree Agree Not Sure Disagree Strongly Disagree 2. I have fun when using the Chromebooks. Strongly Agree Agree Not Sure Disagree Strongly Disagree 3. Using Chromebooks and Google apps increases my understanding of what we are learning Strongly Agree Agree Not Sure Disagree Strongly Disagree 4. Collaborating with peers on assignments through Google Apps and Chromebooks helps me learn. Strongly Agree Agree Not Sure Disagree Strongly Disagree 5. Chromebooks are easy to use during class. Strongly Agree Agree Not Sure Disagree Strongly Disagree 6. I would like to use Chromebooks and Google Apps for all of our assignments. Strongly Agree Agree Not Sure Disagree Strongly Disagree 7. Having access to the Internet and Google apps helps me learn more during activities. Strongly Agree Agree Not Sure Disagree Strongly Disagree 8. When I hear that we will be using Chromebooks for an assignment I feel happy. Strongly Agree Agree Not Sure Disagree Strongly Disagree 9. What’s your favorite thing about Chromebooks? They are fun They are easy to use They help me learn Collaborating with Friends I don’t like Chromebooks None of These 10. What is your favorite subject for using the Chromebooks and Google Apps? Reading Writing Math Science Social Studies