1-to-1 Learning: Laptop Programs That Work

leondumoulin.nl: 1-to-1 Learning, Second Edition: Laptop Programs That Work ( ): Pamela Livingston: Books.
Table of contents

Definitely recommend it to your school! One-to-one laptop programs work best when there's close collaboration among teachers, administrators, and families. Families should understand how the device is to be used and the teacher's expectations for homework. A few basics to look for:. One-to-one laptop programs represent new territory, so stay engaged in the work your kid is doing on the machine, watch for signs of frustration, and give feedback to the teacher about what's working and what isn't.

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  • Pros and Cons of 1-to-1 Computing.
  • The behavior of the wall lizard.
  • Bit Literacy: Productivity in the Age of Information and E-mail Overload.

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One to One Laptop Program

The best media for your family, hand-picked by our editors. What's on your mind? Get answers to top parenting questions here. What should I know about my school's 1-to-1 device program? A few basics to look for: Most schools have a training period for students to learn how to use the device.

Ask for an acceptable-use policy so you'll know what's OK to do on the device and what's not. Devices usually come with service arrangements or guidelines around maintenance.

Pros: Empowering Teachers and Students

The most successful programs acknowledge that laptops are only one tool in the learning process. Subscribe to Our Newsletter Each week we send a customized newsletter to our parent and teen subscribers. The aim of 1-to-1 computing is to give every student his or her own device for more personalized education. The school-sponsored devices can be loaded with textbooks, programs, and lessons that educators specifically design.

The unlimited access that students have to these resources at home and in school allows them more individualized learning at their own pace, uninterrupted access to resources, and a chance to have technological tools they may not otherwise be able to afford. Proponents argue that 1-to-1 computing also gives students the technological fluency and skills needed for any modern employment. Administrators and teachers can also use the technology to gather more data about the effectiveness of various education methods. The key to successful 1-to-1 education is more than just giving a student a computer however.

What should I know about my school's 1-to-1 device program?

The device itself should only be part of a larger education initiative. The district must have an overarching vision to justify the expense and lead to real outcomes. The ideological vision should influence individual lesson plans, outline parental expectations, and account for technological support needs throughout the district. The idea of 1-to-1 computing can be very appealing to school administrators, but the technological realities of a school can present setbacks.

Larger school districts need to plan on proportional tech support teams to deal with the inevitable issues that arise from network support and individual devices, The Journal noted. School districts can underestimate their tech support needs and end up wasting valuable education time.

Tech support is also important for regular updates. Wireless internet access must be widespread throughout the school and accessible to students at home for the program to be fruitful.

15 Common Traits of Successful 1:1 Computing Initiatives

The rapidly evolving and improving devices and software also present a problem. A school district could invest a significant sum in technology only to find it obsolete and unpopular with students in a short time. The style or type of device should also be consistent with the larger vision. There are a number of other arguments against 1-to-1 computing programs varying in importance from district to district.

In some locations, the program can be redundant if students already have ample access to similar devices at home. In other areas, the program can present serious budgetary constraints. Some argue that 1-to-1 devices correlate to worse test scores, while others connect it to better writing ability. Opponents present the technology as a distraction, while proponents say it provides access to early college courses and free textbooks.

With numerous pros and cons, and plenty of disagreements, this debate is likely to continue among educators. The term one-to-one is applied to programs that provide all students in a school, district, or state with their own laptop, netbook, tablet computer, or other mobile-computing device.