Comments on: Laptops for All! http://supertech.edublogs.org/2007/10/10/laptops-for-all/ The hows, whens, and whys of integrating technology into the curriculum... Fri, 20 Jun 2008 15:46:08 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.2 hourly 1 By: Michelle Wilson http://supertech.edublogs.org/2007/10/10/laptops-for-all/comment-page-1/#comment-63 Michelle Wilson Tue, 23 Oct 2007 15:01:27 +0000 http://supertech.edublogs.org/2007/10/10/laptops-for-all/#comment-63 If every student and every teacher had their hands on a laptop, the possibilities would be endless. If you go ask any classroom teacher what would help them increase their level of technology integration, the answer would always be "More computers." Granted, there are some pretty fantastic educators doing snazzy things with just 1 or 2 computers in their classroom, but more computers means more interactive learning for the kids. I think that ultimately this opportunity would change the way we teach. Having said that, I wouldn't hand over one machine without explicit and thorough training. Kids love computers! They cherish whatever time you give them with a PC. But, they would still need to be taught proper care and maintenance techniques, and explained the consequences for abuse and damage. If every student and every teacher had their hands on a laptop, the possibilities would be endless. If you go ask any classroom teacher what would help them increase their level of technology integration, the answer would always be “More computers.” Granted, there are some pretty fantastic educators doing snazzy things with just 1 or 2 computers in their classroom, but more computers means more interactive learning for the kids. I think that ultimately this opportunity would change the way we teach. Having said that, I wouldn’t hand over one machine without explicit and thorough training. Kids love computers! They cherish whatever time you give them with a PC. But, they would still need to be taught proper care and maintenance techniques, and explained the consequences for abuse and damage.

]]> By: ibarnes http://supertech.edublogs.org/2007/10/10/laptops-for-all/comment-page-1/#comment-62 ibarnes Sat, 13 Oct 2007 22:45:33 +0000 http://supertech.edublogs.org/2007/10/10/laptops-for-all/#comment-62 Since my classroom is a computer, I already have this as a reality. Granted, the computers in my classroom are desktops, but it truly is great. I teach a Finance class which is not compter based, but since the students have access to the computers we use them, usually every day. They look up stock quotes, research financial markets and concepts, and can easily type their thoughts when given individual or group assignments. I can save files on the class network that students can easily open and work on right there on the computer. This means that I don't have to make lots of copies of handouts, assignments or tests. Since my classroom is a computer, I already have this as a reality. Granted, the computers in my classroom are desktops, but it truly is great.

I teach a Finance class which is not compter based, but since the students have access to the computers we use them, usually every day. They look up stock quotes, research financial markets and concepts, and can easily type their thoughts when given individual or group assignments.

I can save files on the class network that students can easily open and work on right there on the computer. This means that I don’t have to make lots of copies of handouts, assignments or tests.

]]> By: Nancy Goolsby http://supertech.edublogs.org/2007/10/10/laptops-for-all/comment-page-1/#comment-61 Nancy Goolsby Thu, 11 Oct 2007 14:50:59 +0000 http://supertech.edublogs.org/2007/10/10/laptops-for-all/#comment-61 I would like all students and teachers to have laptops because I can just imagine all my library students sitting on the floor or at tables doing projects. My teachers have all my laptops checked out. These are the ones I thought were purchased for the students. It's because they are using projectors in their classrooms and Promethan boards. I would like for all teachers and students to have a laptop available to them. I would worry about my tranfer students because I can't get their libary books back much less a computer back. I worry about my students that don't even have electicity and water. How will they access a computer at home? Repair /Training will also need to be a concern. I would like all students and teachers to have laptops because I can just imagine all my library students sitting on the floor or at tables doing projects. My teachers have all my laptops checked out. These are the ones I thought were purchased for the students. It’s because they are using projectors in their classrooms and Promethan boards. I would like for all teachers and students to have a laptop available to them. I would worry about my tranfer students because I can’t get their libary books back much less a computer back. I worry about my students that don’t even have electicity and water. How will they access a computer at home? Repair /Training will also need to be a concern.

]]> By: Jenny Rawls http://supertech.edublogs.org/2007/10/10/laptops-for-all/comment-page-1/#comment-59 Jenny Rawls Thu, 11 Oct 2007 14:36:12 +0000 http://supertech.edublogs.org/2007/10/10/laptops-for-all/#comment-59 It would be great to have laptops for every student. Classes could complete more projects using technology. Students could have on-demand access to unlimited resources such as AVL. I would worry about keeping up with what websites students where visiting. It would be hard to keep students involved in what you are teaching, instead of playing games. I would also worry about making sure students take care of the computers. The wireless laptops at my school have been being used for 1 year and the screws that keep the screen up are constantly falling out b/c they get opened and closed so often. It would be great to have laptops for every student. Classes could complete more projects using technology. Students could have on-demand access to unlimited resources such as AVL. I would worry about keeping up with what websites students where visiting. It would be hard to keep students involved in what you are teaching, instead of playing games. I would also worry about making sure students take care of the computers. The wireless laptops at my school have been being used for 1 year and the screws that keep the screen up are constantly falling out b/c they get opened and closed so often.

]]> By: Karen Kelly http://supertech.edublogs.org/2007/10/10/laptops-for-all/comment-page-1/#comment-58 Karen Kelly Thu, 11 Oct 2007 14:33:52 +0000 http://supertech.edublogs.org/2007/10/10/laptops-for-all/#comment-58 I think it would be nice to have laptops, but I would be concerned about repairs and maintenance. Would the first purchased computers last until all have received them? Will teachers receive training to use them so that it doesn't turn out to be a waste of money? I think it would be nice to have laptops, but I would be concerned about repairs and maintenance. Would the first purchased computers last until all have received them? Will teachers receive training to use them so that it doesn’t turn out to be a waste of money?

]]> By: Leigh Brown http://supertech.edublogs.org/2007/10/10/laptops-for-all/comment-page-1/#comment-57 Leigh Brown Thu, 11 Oct 2007 14:33:16 +0000 http://supertech.edublogs.org/2007/10/10/laptops-for-all/#comment-57 Can you do math problems on a laptop? I love technology and I want to put technology in the hands of kids... But do we need a computer in every aspect of learning? Kids need to learn to write, don't they? As a former 3rd grade teacher, you can't teach students cursive writing on a laptop. It would be nice to have the laptops "at the ready" for kids to use. I wonder how often the teacher would be fixing laptop issues and not teaching. When (and if) the funding becomes available, I will be thrilled (but probably retired)! Can you do math problems on a laptop? I love technology and I want to put technology in the hands of kids… But do we need a computer in every aspect of learning? Kids need to learn to write, don’t they? As a former 3rd grade teacher, you can’t teach students cursive writing on a laptop.

It would be nice to have the laptops “at the ready” for kids to use. I wonder how often the teacher would be fixing laptop issues and not teaching.

When (and if) the funding becomes available, I will be thrilled (but probably retired)!

]]> By: Jacqueline Lampley http://supertech.edublogs.org/2007/10/10/laptops-for-all/comment-page-1/#comment-56 Jacqueline Lampley Thu, 11 Oct 2007 14:30:58 +0000 http://supertech.edublogs.org/2007/10/10/laptops-for-all/#comment-56 I would love for each of my students to have a laptop. As you know I am a reading specialist, I would scan the tradebooks we are reading and allow students to create podcasts of their reading of the books. I would also download powerpoints with their sight words, phonics patterns, and reading phrases so that students could practice their reading at home. One last thing that would be nice is to have webpapges posted in their favorites for them to interact with while at home. My biggest fear would be the up keep and maintance of the laptops! Jackie I would love for each of my students to have a laptop. As you know I am a reading specialist, I would scan the tradebooks we are reading and allow students to create podcasts of their reading of the books. I would also download powerpoints with their sight words, phonics patterns, and reading phrases so that students could practice their reading at home. One last thing that would be nice is to have webpapges posted in their favorites for them to interact with while at home. My biggest fear would be the up keep and maintance of the laptops!
Jackie

]]> By: Bain Daniels http://supertech.edublogs.org/2007/10/10/laptops-for-all/comment-page-1/#comment-55 Bain Daniels Thu, 11 Oct 2007 14:30:29 +0000 http://supertech.edublogs.org/2007/10/10/laptops-for-all/#comment-55 WOW, I must have come through the Dark Ages. I think that every child and teacher with a laptop could revolutionize teaching. But, are teacher ready and willing? I agee the "pre" work, laying rules and setting goals and standard would be a must. I shudder to think just how far a class could go with everyone working on a laptop, with all the available resources to students. WOW, I must have come through the Dark Ages. I think that every child and teacher with a laptop could revolutionize teaching. But, are teacher ready and willing? I agee the “pre” work, laying rules and setting goals and standard would be a must. I shudder to think just how far a class could go with everyone working on a laptop, with all the available resources to students.

]]> By: D. Staton http://supertech.edublogs.org/2007/10/10/laptops-for-all/comment-page-1/#comment-54 D. Staton Thu, 11 Oct 2007 14:30:08 +0000 http://supertech.edublogs.org/2007/10/10/laptops-for-all/#comment-54 You could explore sites and learn research techniques much more quickly. I would not worry about anything as long as each teacher had a control program that limited student access to the internet. There would need to be extensive teacher training before implementation. You could explore sites and learn research techniques much more quickly.
I would not worry about anything as long as each teacher had a control program that limited student access to the internet.
There would need to be extensive teacher training before implementation.

]]> By: Caralyn Campbell http://supertech.edublogs.org/2007/10/10/laptops-for-all/comment-page-1/#comment-53 Caralyn Campbell Thu, 11 Oct 2007 14:29:39 +0000 http://supertech.edublogs.org/2007/10/10/laptops-for-all/#comment-53 I think in K-5, it would be easier for teachers to integrate more with a laptop than a heavy, basically stationary desktop. I think in K-5, it would be easier for teachers to integrate more with a laptop than a heavy, basically stationary desktop.

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