Loveland Launches Pilot Nook Program for 7th Graders
Loveland City School District has entered into a partnership with Barnes and Noble to launch a pilot project for the district’s 7th grade class. Dr. John Marschhausen announced his initiative at the State of the School’s presentation held on January 17, 2012.
The district’s plan is to purchase 500 color eNooks for each 7th grade student and teacher at Loveland Middle School and prepare for the current 6th grade to participate next year. Students will receive their Nooks at two distribution events in February. Barnes and Noble will provide technical assistance and support for the project onsite and Loveland parents and students will have a retail option for support at any Barnes and Noble location. Part of the purchase for this pilot project is the protection plan with sufficient back-up devices if there are hardware issues. The Nooks will be school-owned devices managed through Barnes and Noble and Loveland Schools.
According to Loveland Superintendent, Dr. John Marschhausen, the Nook will serve as an electronic textbook, an E-reader, and an internet accessible device for each student. The browser on the Nook, as well as many of the Android Apps, will provide many different learning opportunities for the students.
As the Class of 2017 moves intoLovelandHigh School, the district will then begin the implementation of the digital phase in at the high school and follow a similar implementation plan.
The goal is to ultimately make the purchase of Nooks revenue neutral through fees and the cost savings by reducing other more traditional supplies. The purchase of the Nooks is being made through permanent improvement funds. These funds can be used for capital improvements as well as textbooks and learning devices.
“As we reduce our required supply lists, move reading books to the electronic devices, and shift from making paper copies to digital copies being sent to student emails we will save money to help offset the costs of these devices,” Marschhausen said.
For questions on the project, email Dr. Marschhausen, drjohn@lovelandschools.org.
January 27, 2012. Bookmark.