Student Devices

The Penn Hills School District is dedicated to implementing measures that improve our students' learning. Several years ago, the District launched a 1:1 (computing) initiative. A 1 to 1 initiative aims to transform classrooms from teacher-centered to student-centered, customized learning settings that emphasize high academic standards and the incorporation of 21st-century skills (Communication, Collaboration, Creativity, and Critical Thinking). Our students must possess these skills in order to become proficient, lifelong learners. 

In addition to giving our students devices, the District also makes use of the learning management system Canvas. Through its communication and collaboration tools, as well as through making curricular and supplemental content available around-the-clock, the online learning, classroom management, and social networking platform broadens learning opportunities and  serves as a virtual extension of the classroom.

In a 1 to 1 computing program, instructor roles are expanding to provide a mixed approach of traditional and digital learning tools while encouraging students to take responsibility for their own learning. 

All students in grades 1 through 11 will be issued Chromebooks starting in the 2024-2025 school year, and our present fleet of Surface tablets will be phased out at the end 24-25. At the beginning of the school year, students in grades 1, 4, 7 and 10 will each get receive a new device. At the end of the 2023-2024 school year, devices will be collected in kindergarten, grades 3, 6, 8 and 12.  The plan moving forward is for students to receive new devices at the start of their first, fourth, seventh, and tenth grade years.