Orange County high schools are switching their students to digital learning.The district is passing out 73,000 laptops ahead of the new school year, to all high schoolers, and several middle and elementary schools. Students will get their laptops for the 2016-2017 school year free of charge."It's funded in part with community support," said Mariel Milano with OCPS, "So we do use a portion of our half-penny sales tax to fund upgrades in technology to the community, and we of course use our internal funds as well."With the potential for distractions and cyber-bullying, school officials are blocking certain websites. They also gave teachers special software to keep an eye on students' digital activity."If any misuse occurs, they can either redirect that student or lock the computer down remotely," Milano said.Students were excited to switch out many books for one screen."You don't have the weight of it or anything," said junior Marianne Ostos. "It's all going to be in the same place.""I'm excited for it," said junior Gabriel Rodriguez. "I already got mine and I'm excited to see what I get to do with it."

Orange County high schools are switching their students to digital learning.

The district is passing out 73,000 laptops ahead of the new school year, to all high schoolers, and several middle and elementary schools. Students will get their laptops for the 2016-2017 school year free of charge.


"It's funded in part with community support," said Mariel Milano with OCPS, "So we do use a portion of our half-penny sales tax to fund upgrades in technology to the community, and we of course use our internal funds as well."

With the potential for distractions and cyber-bullying, school officials are blocking certain websites. They also gave teachers special software to keep an eye on students' digital activity.

"If any misuse occurs, they can either redirect that student or lock the computer down remotely," Milano said.

Students were excited to switch out many books for one screen.

"You don't have the weight of it or anything," said junior Marianne Ostos. "It's all going to be in the same place."

"I'm excited for it," said junior Gabriel Rodriguez. "I already got mine and I'm excited to see what I get to do with it."