Ottawa Catholic School Board partners with Staples Canada to help bring technology devices for learning to the home and schoo...

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.

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