Whether you’re in Starbucks or you’re in school, you will probably hear the most commonly asked question, “Is there Wifi here?” This year at Scituate High School, students finally have access to Wifi.

According to Mr. Long, the District Technology Coordinator, there have been many additions to technology at SHS during the past few years. Long was able to relay information about the current and future technology updates coming to Scituate Public Schools. One of the main goals of the technology updates is to tie in with core subjects and create a more project-based learning environment. Thus, the BYOT (bring your own technology) plan was put into place, which allows students to bring their own technology into school to use during class.

Long said that LaunchPad is one of the biggest additions this year.  It is a great help when you are working from home or bringing your own device to school, since it allows students to access all the files on the student share drives and personal student folders from anywhere and everywhere.

“It doesn’t matter if you’re at school, at home, or on vacation,” Long said, “If you have access to the Internet you can use LaunchPad.” He added that students no longer need to email their documents back and forth between school and home. Another benefit to LaunchPad is the password locker. Now there is no need to memorize all your passwords. According to Long, “Password locker does it for you.”

Students may have already noticed there is a new solution to scheduling time in the computer labs: Chromebooks. This year, every SHS department was provided with one cart of Chromebooks. Although they only access the Internet, Chromebooks are highly versatile because LaunchPad allows students to access the student share drives and personal student files.

Senior Natalie Knapp said, “I think they are a beneficial thing to have because they are accessible in a classroom setting instead of going to the computer lab.”

Another use for the Chromebooks will be with PARCC testing. PARCC testing is similar to MCAS testing and might replace MCAS in the Scituate Public School system in the future. The Chromebooks will provide an app for PARCC testing and make it easier for more people to take them at once instead of rotating in computer labs.

Printing work at school has never been easier with the addition of about a dozen virtual printers. “There’s not a lot of confusion about which job is yours,” said Mr. Long. Explaining that students can’t print anything without entering their school pin, Long said multiple jobs won’t come out at once. Referring to students, Long said, “It makes it easier for you guys to collect your jobs and also save money by not wasting paper.” Another feature to the virtual printers is the addition of the software called PaperCut. This software tracks the individual printing activities of students, teachers, staff members, and administrators.

“A few years back a student printed out a bomb threat,” revealed Mr. Long, “PaperCut was able to tell us where the job came from and who printed it.”

So, what’s the next step as far as technology? There’s currently a five year tech plan in place which includes adding more technology. For example, as desktops become outdated, they may be replaced with laptops or Chromebooks.

The plan, however, is very non-specific. Long confessed, “It’s difficult to plan what might be coming down the road.”