The 1:1 Learning Initiative starts a new chapter at Wayland High School, for which many teachers are adapting their usual teaching styles.

With the 1:1 Learning Initiative in place, Wayland High School teachers are preparing for a new chapter at Wayland High School. Each student received a new Macbook Air as a part of the initiative, and with everything in place, WHS teachers are both nervous and excited for this new program.

With this new technology many teachers have changed their classes to incorporate the advantages of every student having a laptop. Chemistry teacher Kristen Wheeler, is one of the teachers taking this step.

“Students are going to collaborate a lot more online by using the Dropbox folder for the class,” said Wheeler. “It’s an easier way for them to connect immediately with what we’re doing in class.”

To prepare herself for the 1:1 program, Wheeler took a class on cyber ethics over the summer and participated in a summer project with a group of WHS chemistry teachers to figure out ways to share documents online.

However, some teachers have decided to delay making dramatic changes to the way their classes are taught.

“My major plan is to increase the number of web based activities, but I’m going to hold off having it as a note-taking tool for students,” history teacher David Schmirer said. “I [also] want to make sure that the face to face is not lost by the fact that every kid is going to have a laptop in class. That’s something that’s easy to ultimately control, but I think it’s something that’s really important.”

Assistant Principal Allyson Mizoguchi also expressed some concern with parts of the program.

“I guess my fears are more logistical,” she said. “I’m concerned about theft and kids dropping the laptops in the hallway.”

Although the 1:1 Learning Initiative is a big change in the education process at Wayland High School, most teachers seem excited and willing to embrace the new laptops in their classrooms.

“I think it’s going to be an incredible tool for students to use to learn more and learn better,” Mizoguchi said. “As far as the educational purpose and meaning behind having them here, I’m fully confident that it’s going to be great.”

Wheeler is also confident about the 1:1 program.

“I’m very excited about it. I’m pretty tech savvy, so I’m really excited to be able to have my students use it with me,” she said.