Computers, Computers Everywhere!

How ubiquitous could computing be in the classroom? How much could students really use technology in the classroom? How much could it help to reach different learning styles and better prepare them for what the future will demand of them? How much could it really help me as a teacher in preparing for class and integrating it into my lesson plans?

The blog by Will Richardson entitled "If Every Student Had a Computer" got me thinking more about what it would look like to start students, even as young as 5th grade, with their own laptops for learning. He mentions how schools invest money for things that students can't take outside of the classroom and how this would benefit students. He uses the reference of a computer being like the whiteboard for the teacher, a necessity for the teacher. He touches on the topic of attention literacy and how ideas to keep students engaged and paying attention in class are underway. Going to a college with a 1:1 laptop program I have seen the challenge that they can present in class. There is less eye contact between the teacher and students, as well as many efforts at multi-tasking taking place. I think that computers definitely have the power to transform the classroom and better prepare students for the future, but that the teacher will need to know how to control their use for good.

His other blog posting entitled "Don't, Don't, Don't vs. Do, Do, Do" acknowledges that there are many policies against what computers could be used for in class. However, he ends by focusing on the positive of the many things that computers could do for students: exploring their creativity, sharing their passions with others that share them, publishing their best work for a global network, etc.

I think that 1:1 learning can provide students with more opportunities to travel and be part of learning outside of the classroom; for example, a week working with journalists at the Kennedy Space Center http://www.edweek.org/dd/articles/2008/01/23/3laptop.h01.html. If students are able to keep up with their assignments with the use of laptops and further their knowledge then I think it is a great idea. I think that some high school students get bored with doing the same thing day in and day out and not really having a direction. I think many of them are ready for more. I also think that in America we do not learn about other cultures as much as we should and this could provide students with the ability to take those kind of trips without getting behind.

Acceptable Use Policies (AUPs) I believe will be helpful in keeping teachers and students accountable for their use of technology in school. I didn't find the AUPs that I looked at to be hindering. I believe that they are rules of courtesy and respect. If anyone knows of a AUP that you think would be hindering to education please leave a comment! Thanks!