Please comment on this post regarding the Edina 1 to 1 Initiative prior to our March 21st meeting.
During the March 21, CoP meeting, researchers from the University of Minnesota will be conducting a focus group with the CoP regarding the 1 to 1 Initiative.
Prior to that meeing, we would like your feedback on the following:
1) If each of your students had a computer in your classroom, what learning opportunities would you be able to provide that you currently cannot?
2) What type of training and support would you like the district to provide you and your students?
During the March 21, CoP meeting, researchers from the University of Minnesota will be conducting a focus group with the CoP regarding the 1 to 1 Initiative.
Prior to that meeing, we would like your feedback on the following:
1) If each of your students had a computer in your classroom, what learning opportunities would you be able to provide that you currently cannot?
2) What type of training and support would you like the district to provide you and your students?
Comments
With that said, I don't think that a laptop would provide any new learning opportunities that I don't currently offer in my classroom, though it would become another tool to help deliver the curriculum. An online textbook with interactive questioning would be nice. This way I would get better feedback on how each of my students are understanding the material, not just the ones that respond or I ask.
In addition, the Tablet PC that I am currently using is much more useful in Mathematics due to the complex text editing that needs to be done with Math Type. Students would need that same ability.
I don't believe the students would need a lot of training, just guidance and to be informed of the student code of ethics as it relates to technology use. Students are so used to learning technology on the fly that I don't see major issues. Teachers on the other hand would need a workshop day or two to get comfortable with the "behind the scenes" stuff, as well as potential set up. Also, hearing what other teachers are saying/doing we would need to rethink how our teaching day looks. Can we get all of this done during one 55 minute prep each day, in addition to our regular duties? Is the district willing to support giving us more time?
We could also use laptops when we introduce Naviance, our web-based post-secondary planning program.
In interpetingt the PLAN results it would be helpful to have students be able to access the career data base immediately to see what information is available about their area of interest.
We could also use classroom visits to get them signed up immedicately for Naviance, instead of having them go home and sign in.
If a student missed a classroom counselor visit, we could video the presentation and a student could access the missed visit.
For registration we could show them the variopus parts of the registration book on line.
2. Obviously, I need some training to boost my confidence with the computer and with the internet. My background is limited, as is my time.
2. My main concern is regarding student misuse - how would it be controlled? What kind of training and support would be offered in dealing with this issue?
“If 1:1 computing is to become ubiquitous and invisible and seamless, then students must be capable of doing what students have always done. Not contrived activities, not simulations done by whiz-bang software. No, the students themselves must be able to do anything, anywhere, anytime, anyhow.
The only thing I'd add to that is computers ought to be able to not just allow students to do what they've always done (if just that, why use computers?) but enhance those same things.”
I think we in the Math Department are pursuing things correctly with our Tablet PC’s as mentioned here...
http://ghugs.edublogs.org/2008/01/25/
Basically, I’m agreeing with these two gentlemen (Jason and Graham) that if we were to fully pursue 1:1 computing we first have to address the issues of the have’s and have not’s (as mentioned in the NEAToday magazine...http://www.nea.org/neatoday/0803/digitaldivide.html), and then pursue the proper wireless technology, such as a Tablet PC for all!
I simply like what is being said here...Technology should not create more work it should enhance what we are already doing.
I would not use the laptops often as I want students to be moving during my class, but I could implement some on-line class activities for times I am misplaced from my gym (pepfests, assemblies)
Some concerns I have are:
1. Who will purchase the laptops (students or school)?
2. Will there be tech support for the teacher and student?
3. What if a student violates the "acceptable use of technology" agreement. Will the laptop be taken away? (If so, now he/she doesn't have a book for class if it an on-line text)
Just food for thought.
This way, I could immediately address students' questions/problems with Blogger, though those might magically disappear since they're not doing them at home. Which brings me to the other benefit: computer access at home wouldn't be as much of an issue, and more blogging would get done. It would become more fully integrated with the course, and would feel less like extra work.