To keep pace in today's digital era, young students in the New Brunswick school district will have access to laptops. Watch video
NEW BRUNSWICK -- The ever-increasing use of technology in classrooms has made it crucial for school districts to equip their students with the necessary tools to keep pace in today's digital age.
The unfortunate reality, however, is many students cannot afford these essential devices, like laptops, on their own.
In the New Brunswick school district, many students face this dilemma -- until now.
The school district recently announced that it received 6,400, 14-inch, HP Chromebook laptops for each student in the district in grades 3-12 giving. The laptops are "to be utilized across the entire curriculum."
Superintendent of Schools Aubrey Johnson said in a statement that the initiative creates "a more level playing field in terms of access to both information and technology."
The laptops -- which will be used for students' core subjects -- represents a "shift toward utilization of Google Apps for Education to promote instruction and learning," the statement said.
The school district's existing computers will be redistributed to all K-2 classrooms.
"What we've now done as a school district is move extremely close to having a laptop computer for every single student," Johnson said. "We're investing in technology to provide our students and teachers opportunities to enhance 21st-century skills that require critical and creative thinking, collaboration, communication, and innovation."
Johnson said in 2016, "the world at-large learns and processes information with remarkable speed, using laptops and similar devices." Now, she said, New Brunswick's students "have access to this technology, and they'll be better educated because of it."
Spencer Kent may be reached at skent@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @SpencerMKent. Find the Find NJ.com on Facebook.