The one to one program as featured in class was very impressive. I really was surprised that all of our questions were answered in the video. For each student to have their own laptop, easy access to all homework and the ability to use this kind of technology at school and at home will be very beneficial to these students. I remember my first computer class WAY back in high school. I was so afraid I was going to put in the wrong thing, give it a virus, break it, I think I barely passed that class and I hated computers after that. It took more than ten years for me to get over that feeling and join the tech savvy world by buying a new computer in 1998. Todays kids definitely seem more comfortable around computers and we as teachers need to incorporate that into our classrooms.
My foster daughter got a free laptop computer through the Gifted and Talented program at Randy Smith. She is now in high school and uses it constantly. And she is still bringing in the high grades. I think the most significant point made was the problem of IMing during class. In the video, the teacher addressed this concern by stating that she gives the students a few minutes to finish up what they are doing, then she begins class. Another good point is that the students got into the routine; when the teachers told them to close their laptops, they did.
I definitely think each student having their own laptop would be an ideal situation. So many times at home, I think of something I forgot to tell my girl scout troop about and will fire off an email to the girls. I can see where this would be beneficial in the classroom; where I could post a link that may help with homework or a reminder to bring in canned foods for our food drive, etc.
Still, my only concern is that written curriculum was replaced. I think it is very important for students to interact with books.
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I completely agree with the need to retain books as integral elements in overall instructional design. Having laptops is not an "either-or" proposition. It does, however, mean that you need to rethink the way you use your materials with students. The folks in Denali Borough School District found, for example, that they didn't need nearly as many science and social studies textbooks--certainly not one per student--because material available free on the web was more current, more accurate, and more plentiful. On the other hand, it's pretty difficult to get by without math books for each student. Some of the parts of the video that we didn't watch showed students working with books and computers at the same time. It's all about knowing your tools and which tools are best in specific situations. (And that could be different for different students.)
Yes, I share your concern with the need to still have written materials around. I think books are so important, and there is just something a book can do that a computer can't. I think that there must be a way to balance the use of the computers as a resource and the use of books and readers. In our Literacy Development class, there was a lot of emphasis on free writes and reading times for the students. I think that these activities could still be continued even when computers are introduced into the everyday lives of the students.
That is really neat that your daughter got a free laptop! I enjoyed reading your comments about this topic. I do agree with you that books should still be read, but I wonder if the laptops will create the dis-interest of books? Good point! Janet
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