Tech giant Google has invested nearly $180,000 for South Carolina’s first “Rolling Study Hall” initiative. The money was used to provide Wi-Fi on 28 of 194 buses that drive to and from the Title I Schools. The company also provided Chromebooks, according to Fox News.
Lilyn Hester, a spokesperson for Google, says the “Rolling Study Hall Initiative” is an investment in young people. Their goal is to prepare children for future jobs.
“It opens up the world to these young children,” Hester told Fox News. “At Google, we don’t want the fact that they do not have access to the internet or devices to be a barrier.”
Most families in Berkeley County lack internet access, but now 1,700 students have laptops and Wi-Fi access to complete their assignments.
Kimberly Council, a teacher at St. Stephen Elementary School says teaching doesn’t stop once the kids leave the classroom. After teaching a full day she gets on the bus right along with her students.
Many of the students have a two-hour commute before making it home, which gives them plenty of time to complete their assignments and they have a teacher, like Council, on the bus to answer any questions they may have.
“Teachers say they see a big improvement in the grades because of the fact that they can continue on the Chromebooks on the bus. It gives them something to do while they take the long ride. It keeps them motivated,” Council said.
A filtration system is installed on each device, preventing students from surfing on inappropriate sites according to Diane Driggers, executive director of technology at Berkeley County School District.
Council says the work is rewarding. “I feel as though if I can just do a small portion to help the students and help the parents that don’t have Wi-Fi, that can’t help their kids with their homework. It makes me go home and know I did something to make a difference in that child’s life.”
