EDUC 422 Journal #1

EDUC 422 Arlynn Cook September 21, 2010

Journal #1 “Taking Laptops Schoolwide”  NETS-5

Green, T, Donovan, L, & Bass, K. (2010). Taking laptops schoolwide: a professional learning community approach. Learning and leading with technology, 38(1), Retrieved from http://www.learningandleading-digital.com/learning_leading

This article highlights the merits of using laptops in the classroom at each grade level K-12.  The authors recommend using a teacher collaboration approach to incorporating laptop use in schools.  The collaborative approach includes teachers meeting to discuss student data, student progress and implementation of computer skills into the curriculum.  Teachers in schools that integrated the laptops into the curriculum assigned computer skill building as homework.   Teachers determined introducing basic laptop skills at a lower grade level ensured student computer proficiency shown at higher grade levels, stating that progressive laptop use improved skills.  The authors stress four areas of consideration when implementing a one-to-one collaborative laptop program into a school.  These four areas are School climate, communication, collaboration and progression of use.  The conclusion of their article states “they realize every school context is different, that despite the differences each school will work through the same issues.” (Green, Donovan, & Bass, 2010)

Q1: Does this program ensure the equality/equity of education?

 A1: This type of program would be extremely difficult to incorporate into schools that don’t have the resources from their state, district or their communities.  As mentioned in the article one school district with 20 schools had only 6 of them participating in the laptop program.  It takes more than just teacher collaboration to make it possible for all students to have the opportunity to learn and work with current technology.  It is unfair to say that all schools given different contexts face the same issues.  That is simply unrealistic and one sided.  The article itself even states laptops were only integrated into a GATE program targeting combination 3/4 and 4/5 classes, insinuating that not all the students at that school had equal opportunity.  Unless programs like these that utilize new technology are made available to every student in every school there will always be inequality and inequitable education.

Q2:  What could be done to ensure a successful laptop program for all schools?

A2:  Programs like Taking Laptops Schoolwide are an excellent idea.  Our society and government should understand and focus on the importance of educating a computer/technology literate society.  The mandate for technology in education needs to come from the top.  There needs to be a universal program for all states and school districts to bring laptops and curriculum into every classroom not just a chosen few.  If each school district was responsible instead of individual teachers there could be collaboration district, state and nationwide.  It is imperative that students without access to computers at home be given the opportunity to have access to them at school.  There also needs to be more time allotted for students to use computers at school to ensure they are gaining and improving their technology skills.