RICHMOND HILL, ON, Sept. 18, 2017 /CNW/ - The Ottawa Catholic School
Board (OCSB) has partnered with Staples
Canada to help bring technology that supports learning in
the classroom, as part of a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) to school
program. The initiative will help students have access to the
learning tools and opportunities that technology offers by having
their very own device with them in school and at home.
Across the continent, one-to-one learning pilot programs,
including a variety of BYOD initiatives, are quickly spreading to
schools, districts and school boards with students using their own
laptop, Chromebook, tablet computer or other mobile computing
device. Some students have access to them in class only, while
others obtain them through comprehensive programs, including this
one from Staples, that make it
simple, and affordable, for parents to purchase them for their kids
– to be used at home and in school.
"Owning a device fosters learning, promotes creativity and gives
students the opportunity to learn in ways that weren't possible for
my generation," said Harmen
Berghuis, National Manager for the Staples BYOD program.
"Schools today have access to online courses, educational software
and other online tools that are accessible, interactive, adaptable
and totally customizable for students. They're also affordable and
help students learn at their own pace, in a way that makes sense to
them."
The OSCB was one of the first school boards in Ontario to allow students to bring their own
devices to school. Over the past 10 years, the board has made
significant investments to bring technology to its classrooms for
student use. Now with a focus across the board on ways to deepen
the learning of all students, technology has become an even more
important tool.
"As students have engaged more with the technology that is
available in their classrooms, many families expressed interest in
purchasing a device for their child to use at school and at home,"
said Brenda Wilson, Superintendent
of Learning Technology from OCSB. "This partnership with
Staples provides families the
opportunity to purchase the same devices that we're using in the
classroom, maintaining consistency to help support their child's
continued learning. The Board is not receiving free devices nor
making a profit from this partnership, but we are able to give
parents key information about the best, current devices we
recommend for families to purchase."
OCSB and Staples have
identified three options for parents and students to choose from,
based on their school and classroom technology needs, which offers
exclusive pricing for the school. The program offers financing,
hardware options, technical support, maintenance and an Educational
EasyCare Plan that provides a four-year replacement guarantee for
defective and accidentally damaged units.
Staples has been working with
schools to develop BYOD programs since 2013. OSCB is the first
school board to become a partner with the company for an exclusive
program for parents and students.
To learn more about the BYOD program offered by Staples and how to implement it in your
school, visit www.staples.ca/byod or contact a General Manager at
your local Staples store.
About Staples Canada/Bureau
en Gros
Staples
Canada/Bureau en Gros makes it easy to make more happen with
more products and more ways to shop. Through its world-class
retail, online and delivery capabilities, Staples lets customers shop however and
whenever they want, whether it's in-store, online, on mobile
devices, or through the company's buy online, pick up in store
option. Staples is dedicated to
offering customers the highest level of service, with more products
than ever, including technology, facilities and breakroom supplies,
furniture, safety supplies, medical supplies, and Print and
Marketing services. The company also invests in a number of
corporate giving programs that actively support environmental,
educational and entrepreneurial initiatives in Canadian communities
from coast to coast. Visit www.staples.ca for more information, or
visit us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
SOURCE Staples Canada Inc.