Technology has proven to be an irreplaceable tool inside my 8th grade English classroom. At my school, we are fortunate to have what is called a one-to-one laptop initiative. This means that students are issued a laptop from the school each year that is theirs to use for the duration of the school year. Students are given a laptop, a case, and a charger that they are allowed to take home with them every day. The laptops are used in many ways in all of the students' classes. As a classroom teacher, the one-to-one laptop initiative has proven to be very influential in engaging my students in learning.
In my classroom, I have multiple uses for the students' laptops. Along with the laptops we have an online learning system that allows us to communicate with students as well as parents. I post weekly lesson plans to our learning system, and that is made available to both students and parents. Also, because of the individual laptops, I am able to post online practice related to what is being covered in class, whether that be grammar or literature. I also use the laptops to allow students to take some of their tests. It allows me to save paper, and allows my students to have immediate feedback on their assignment or test. Individual laptops have also proven instrumental in teaching the research process. Having laptops inside the classroom makes it possible for my students to conduct their research in their typical classroom environment, which eliminates confusion and helps keep the research process in order and everyone on task. This specific classroom technology also makes it possible for me and my colleagues to collaborate on cross-curriculum projects. As our course text states, John Dewey "believed that curriculum topics should be integrated, rather than isolated, since teaching isolated topics prevented learners from grasping the the whole of knowledge" (Roblyer & Doering, 2010, p.51). As educators, it is crucial that we not limit learning opportunities for our students.
Individual laptops also help appeal to students with various learning styles. I have found that integrating the use of laptops into daily lessons helps keep students attention (which is not always easy in a room full of 8th graders), and can also be used as a form of reward. The course text states that "when students are self-motivated and have the ability to structure their own learning, the most desirable method is often the one that offers the fastest and most efficient path" (Roblyer & Doering, 2010, p.49). I have found the laptops beneficial for those students that are self-motivated learners, as well as for those who are not. Laptops allow students that are self-motivated learners to go above and beyond the class requirements and give motivation to those students that often seem less than enthused. As stated by Roblyer and Doering, "technology's visual and interactive qualities can direct students' attention toward learning tasks" (Roblyer & Doering, 2010, p. 25). I have observed this in my own classroom. For some reason, that laptop seems much more appealing to most students than a traditional pencil and paper.
This is a link to a website highlighting the benefits of one-to-one laptop initiatives, such as strengthened teaching and learning.
This is a link to a PDF that discusses the goals of one-to-one laptop initiatives, issues to consider about implementing one-to-one initiatives, as well as information about successfully implemented one-to-one initiatives.
This is a video that emphasizes the benefits of one-to-one laptop initiatives, such as strengthened teaching and learning.
The 1:1 laptop initiative has been an instrumental tool in keeping students engaged and parents involved in classroom learning. #ED505UWARAY
— Kristen Walker (@kristenwalker81) June 4, 2013
I have never heard of this, but it sounds amazing! Where does the funding for all of the laptops come from? Do your students have to print out their work, or can they e-mail it to you? I wish our school system had something like this, I think that it would open up so many more exciting experiences for the students.
ReplyDeleteAmy, I had never heard of this either. I'm not sure about specifics on funding, but I know that it is in our system's budget. It has been in place for a few years now. Students can print out their work, but most of the time I have them submit it on Blackboard. It saves A LOT of paper! It has proven to be a great resource for me as well as my students!
DeleteI want the 1:1 laptop initiative in my classroom!!! Before I moved to Alabama, the school where I taught in Louisiana received laptops for all of the students in 4th-8th grade. This was such a wonderful way to integrate technology into the classroom. The children were so much more receptive to writing. The stress of editing was lightened by having spell and grammar check. It was a great experience to be able to do whole class research or reteach or challenge as needed for individual students. I enjoyed looking at your blog!
ReplyDeleteIt really is a great way of integrating technology! It keeps students interested. I absolutely loved having the laptops for our research project. It made all of our lives much easier!
DeleteWow! I have never heard of this! Your school is doing some amazing things, and I am sure that you are meeting the needs of many learners. Not to mention the parent interaction this has also brought on. This is a great way for the parents to be involved too. Our school has a cart of laptops that we are allowed to check out, however; they are not in that great of condition. How was your school able to do this? Great post!
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DeleteThanks, Jessica. It has proven to be a great tool for teachers, students, and parents. I'm not sure about the specifics on funding. This is something that is very important to our system as a whole, so it is always worked into the system's budget.
DeleteThis is awesome! It is so important for students to learn basic computer skills, but with laptops being readily available, they will learn advanced (and necessary) skills that will help them in their future endeavors!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely! We have found it to be extremely beneficial.
DeleteThis is such a great blog! I love the fact that your school gives out laptops to the student. What school system do you teach for again? How long have this been in your school now? I totally agree that laptops are so beneficial to have for learning. Although we have some educators that would still prefer the traditional way of teaching, but technology is becoming more advanced each day. Technology (laptops) can help give students more motivation, be used to take lecture notes quickly, and increase the opportunities for a brighter future.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I teach for the Cullman City School System. I just finished my first year there. I just finished at Auburn last August. It was so great to have all of those resources my first year of teaching! You're right, technology is becoming more and more advanced, so we must advance our methods of teaching.
DeleteHaving laptops can really help classes that does research (like my history class). The lack of technology set some limitations on teaching for me. Laptops would definitely help expand learning opportunities for my students.
ReplyDeleteYes, they were very beneficial for the research project my students did this spring! It's great that you have your history classes do research!
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ReplyDeleteLaptops are a wonder asset in the classroom and if they are connecting the parents to the class you are doing a wonderful job.
ReplyDeleteThank you! They are a great classroom tool!
DeleteVery nice blog. Many schools are not as fortunate to have laptops for every individual student.
ReplyDeleteThank you! That's right. Many schools are not that fortunate. I did not come from a school with technology that was anything like what we have now. It took some adjustment on my part as well!
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