I also wonder how we would handle the purchase of the laptop. I know one thing... The laptops that our school has, the rolling carts, are beat up. They are not taken care of at all. They are missing buttons, keys, and the cords are snapped off, so they are unable to be plugged in for charging.
Perhaps, if the students had to have their parents purchase their own laptop, possibly they would take care of it better? Maybe the school could provide a case to carry it around, but the family would have to pay for it? It makes sense that it would be the student's laptop. So they would understand ownership. Also, for the kids who can not afford the payment, maybe there could be a grant written or a payment plan.
A great blog I found that has been implementing a 1:1 program is Technology In the Middle, which is written by Patrick Woessner . He presents many different ideas as well as the challenges of implementing a 1:1 computer environment at his school for 7, 9 and 10. I wonder why they chose those grades? Hmm?
I really like the four themes the school is implementing. They are:
- Information Management and Research
- Digital Citizenship
- Communication and Collaboration in a Global World
- Creativity, Critical Thinking, and Design
I believe with anything, if there is not strong leadership and a plan, things will not work out the way they were originally envisioned.
Another good point written about in Patrick's blog and it was all over the news last week, was the story about Universities banning laptops and internet service in the classrooms. Patrick says it is an educational injustice. I think I agree. Why not engage the student and as the teacher, possibly change the way they are teaching? Embrace the technology. If the lessons were engaging and fresh, the students would not need to turn to myspace and solitaire during the lecture.
1 comment:
Kim, I enjoy your take on this subject. Yet, I can say without hesitation, that I think it would lead to parents being upset because the laptops they paid for got broken and not willing to replace them or making it the schools problem some how. Can you hear the calls to the district :) Why, because some of the students are not taught responsibility at home sad to say. My own son, has gone through three cell phones, and yes there is a consequence, but eventually, I need him to have a phone and I get him an "old" one :) He treasures his laptop as if it is gold, but he did save for 1/2 of it himself so I think you might just be on to something. I think you hit the the nail right on the head when it comes to laptop adoption programs. They need to have a full plan. All technological decisions especially in education, must have a solid and viable implementation plan. An excellent post.
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