Confederation receives technology grant from Best Buy Canada

Confederation Secondary School has received a significant investment in technology from Best Buy Canada. The school has been awarded an $18,200 School Tech Grant to enhance literacy learning. The grant will be used to purchase Chromebooks, technology that will be accessed by all students in all grades as part of the school’s “For the Love of Reading Program”.

The program, which was launched four years ago, has promoted literacy through traditional tools such as newspapers, articles and texts. The Chromebooks will enable the school to expand the program to include literacy learning through Google Apps for Education (GAFE). GAFE enables users to read, write and share as well as collaborate on content through state-of-the-art technology.

“With the support of Best Buy Canada, Confederation Secondary School can now take the love of reading to the next level,” says Rainbow District School Board Chair Doreen Dewar. “We are most grateful to Best Buy Canada for its generous support of our students. Reading and writing is the foundation for success in all subject areas.”

“Our program has become a school-wide initiative that supports every student in their enjoyment of reading, whether in print or online,” says Principal Pablo Gil-Alfau. “Students know that reading goes beyond a novel. Technology exposes students to a world rich in literacy where they can learn about many concepts.”

“At Best Buy, we know that having the latest in digital devices helps keep students motivated and allows them to stay competitive as they move towards postsecondary education,” says Andrea MacBeth, Community Relations Manager, Best Buy Canada. “The Best Buy School Tech Grants program exists to equip Canadian students with the right technology to keep them inspired and motivated as they learn. What we loved most about Confederation Secondary School’s application was their innovative approach to literacy and that the devices purchased could further enhance the success of each student.”

The Chromebooks will enable all students to participate in GAFE, putting Docs, Slides, Sheets, Sites and other applications at their fingertips. In addition to technology available in the library, two mobile GAFE reading carts, full of Chromebooks, will be used in classrooms to support reading and writing initiatives.  This will further infuse technology into the program to enhance and extend student learning across all grades. 

Teachers will use these devices in a variety of ways. Google Classroom will provide a forum for students to engage in discussions on reading texts. Students will be able to share their recommendations and talk about how their reading relates to concepts learned in class. Google Docs will be used as a word processing program to support writing. It will also provide a platform for students to collaborate, create and share documents.

“Chromebooks have the potential to support our population of students with special needs in new and innovative ways,” says Principal Gil-Alfau. “Speech-to-text functions will empower students to put verbal thoughts into written word.  Google Play will enable our school to load e-books onto school-owned devices for students to share and listen to multiple times.”

He adds: “It is our belief that having full class sets of mobile Chromebooks will enable our students to be more successful in their learning, as well as develop language skills and media literacy.” 

Using technology in the classroom increases student engagement and confidence. When students are asked to comment on a text through an electronic forum, everyone contributes to the conversation while practicing their writing skills. This gives students a unique “voice” in their learning and motivates them to continue.

Giving students access to technology also inspires untapped creativity, as students explore the technology independently and create new processes for learning. Technology also prepares students for postsecondary studies and the world of work.

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Media Contact:

Nicole Charette, Senior Advisor,
Corporate Communications and Strategic Planning,
Rainbow District School Board, 705.674.3171, ext. 7217.

Confederation Secondary School received an $18,200 School Tech Grant from Best Buy Canada on Wednesday, February 3, 2016. Funds will be used to purchase Chromebooks for the school as part of their “For the Love of Reading Program.” From left, are, Rainbow District School Board Director of Education Norm Blaseg, Confederation Secondary School teacher Ashleigh McBain, Trustee Judy Kosmerly, Principal Pablo Gil-Alfau, and local Best Buy representatives Precinct Chief Robert Chiasson and General Manager Eric D’Amour.

Confederation Secondary School students Drewe Power, left, and Janna Hunt demonstrate Google Apps for Education (GAFE) on Chromebooks purchased through a School Tech Grant from Best Buy Canada.

Local Best Buy representatives, Precinct Chief Robert Chiasson, left, and General Manager Eric D’Amour, watch as Confederation Secondary School students Jack Ainsworth, left, and Jack Trottier work with Chromebooks purchased through a School Tech Grant from Best Buy Canada.