One-to-one+Computing

One-to-One Computing
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Thoughts on one-to-one computing:

 * I think one-to-one computing is a great idea but I don't think students should be given a laptop/netbook to take home or carry around with them. They would get torn up too quick! Rather, I think 1:1 computing should be accomplished by giving the teachers the opportunity to turn their classroom into a computer lab. In other words, the computers/laptops remain in the classroom, plugged in at all times. It would be great if the Triplett students and SCPS electricians could systematically start adding enough outlets to each classroom to accommodate this. I'm sure this would be expensive but we wouldn't have to buy new laptop batteries every year, which is a huge expense as well. Many years ago, the Triplett kids rewired my computer lab at SHS - they did a great job and it didn't take that long to do it, either. Plus, those students received valuable on-the-job training!**


 * I had the luxury of teaching a non-computer class (Finance) in a computer lab because I also taught computer classes. My students used the computers in my Finance class virtually every day because they were right at our fingertips! They were an invaluable resource for my students!**


 * To begin, teachers could volunteer to have their classroom transformed into a virtual classroom. Those chosen will need to be highly dedicated to the task of incorporating technology into their lesson plans. I believe these teachers and their students will thrive given the opportunity! We must infuse technology into our curriculum, even if it is only a few classrooms at a time. ~ Jen Martin***

(Zaben) One-to-one computing is a great idea, and ideally we'd be able to check out a computer to each student and he or she would remember to bring it to school each day and maintain its condition. I think we all realize, however, that we are a long way off from this point. I have to agree with Jen that one-to-one computing would be better accomplished by keeping a class set of computer in each room, but my thinking diverges from hers at whether those computers should be laptops or desktops. Personally, I think they should be netbooks, and that each room should be outfitted to allow for the charging of a class set. Netbooks boot quickly, have excellent battery life, are portable, store most if not all of the user's work in the cloud, and (most importantly) are cheap. With school-wide WiFi now available, netbooks would be a great way to go. Beyond that, I agree with everything else Jen already mentioned. (Zaben)

Question - I assume we would begin implimenting such a program at the high school level. How far down the grades would we attempt to impliment this idea? - Diane

Good question Diane. Is this something we would do at all grade levels? I think the idea of one to one computing would be great. I do worry about students taking them home. I know in my building one thing teachers want is more drops in their classroom or wireless cards to access some of the older computers we have. - Denise

I think the question is not exactly one to one computing but how do we best use technology to enhance learning. And of course lots and lots of planning and preparation for anything of this scope to be successful and of course money, money, money.

**This is one topic that will be discussed during our vision meeting. Most people I have heard from agree that the way to do this is not to give each student a laptop to keep or take home, but just have them available for each students when they enter class. A laptop or netbook are the most popular choices, with the iPod Touch being mentioned next. Chanda of SKMS and Jen of NFMS have their iPod carts almost set up and ready for action. Next month we can ask them to share how things are going. I like the comment that said, "the question is not exactly one to one computing but how do we best use technology to enhance learning." This is what we are all about.**