Laptop Experiment
A few years ago, my cousin told me that in her middle school they tried a pilot program where everyone in her grade were given laptops for the schoolyear so they could integrate their learning techniques with the goals of the courses. She told me that this program wasn't very successful, maily because it was disorganized the the teachers had a lack of control over the usage of the laptops.
It is surprising that they would try a pilot program such as this on such a young age group, middleschoolers, as opposed to trying it out with high school seniors or in college classrooms. On the other hand, starting at such a young age may help those children get used to the technological pace of society today. I have not heard of any other programs similar to this since then.
I do not believe that programs like this are very realistic, at least for the next few decades. Although wealthier school systems may be able to supply their students with laptops on lend, the majority of schools are already lacking funds to buy necessities such as books and teachers, let alone laptops. In addition, if laptops are to be used in the classroom, teaching programs and student learning aids on the computer must be very structured in order to keep the student on task. There must be accredited standards that go along with the laptop programs if introduced in a school system.
In the future, when the cost of laptops decrease, these laptop programs may prove efficient. Students may eventually be able to learn at home from their laptops (using chat rooms with fellow students and teacher) to create a more centralized learning environment. Student centered learning would still be possible, yet will take on a different form because students will be interacting more online than in person. What do people think about this...having laptops to aid in the learning process?
Comments
Posted by: Neil Ursic
Posted on: December 2, 2005 02:38 AM
Interesting idea. I do agree that this might not be cost effective, but perhaps soon it will be.
A number of schools are using Palm Pilots now, giving them to all their students as a way of scheduling and communicating events to them by wirelessly synching.
Posted by: Katie Riley
Posted on: December 2, 2005 02:42 AM
i agree with you.. i think its nice at some colleges however that computers or laptops are issued and then built into the cost of tuition and fees
Posted by: Maria Yelich
Posted on: December 3, 2005 04:43 PM
In high school, my Latin teacher attempted to integrate use of the computer as much as possible into her lesson plans. (the student to computer ratio at my high school was 3:1) My first response to having access to the computers during class was to use and slightly abuse them. Among other things, I would frequently check my email during class. Although in the end, I did gain many skills with the class. we were required to do many powerpoint presentations, thus I became proficient at constructing presentations. So, using computers in high school has made it easier to complete some of my work in college because I am often required to make a powerpoint of my work.
Posted by: Devon Worrell
Posted on: December 4, 2005 08:46 PM
there is a grade, middle, and high school in Cincinnati that require lap tops for every one of their students. It's called Cincinnati County Day and they have been doing it since I was in grade school, and it is hugely successful there. All the kids learn computer skills at a young age and all the teachers seem to love it.
Posted by: Devon Worrell
Posted on: December 4, 2005 08:50 PM
there is a school in Cincinnati that has required lap tops of there students in grade, middle and high school. The school is called Cincinnati County Day, and they have been doing this program since I was in grade school at least. It has been seen that all the students develop a lot of computer skills and the teachers seem to like it.
Posted by: Andrea Park
Posted on: December 14, 2005 12:49 AM
I actually would have to disagree with you. I attended a high-tech school system where they started teaching typing in first grade, TI-83 in 5th grade, powerpoint by 6th grade, etc. In a constantly evolving technological world, it's important to keep kids up-to-date and on top of things so that by the time they actually need these tools (high school) they are so familiar with the programs that they can focus on the task at hand without being distracted by tech problems/questions.