The document discusses three articles about the use of laptops in classrooms. The first article finds that laptops can enable disadvantaged students to engage in powerful learning experiences. However, the second article argues that laptops are a distraction and will have a negligible impact on education quality. The third article outlines a school district's 1:1 laptop program that has support from teachers but disagreement from some parents and school board members. Overall, the document examines debates around laptops in classrooms and whether they improve engagement or serve as a distraction.
2. Discussing the use of Laptops in the Classroom Article 1: Learning with Laptops: Implementation and Outcomes in an Urban, Under-Privileged School Article 2: Personal Computers Invade the Classroom Article 3: School Board passes 1:1 Laptop Program
3. Learning with Laptops : Implementation and Outcomes in an Urban, Under-Privileged School Study In this article from the Journal of Research on Technology in Education, Chrystalla Mouza looks at classrooms with and without laptops. Results Mouza experienced good results in the classroom with laptops. “ Results of the study revealed that in the hands of well prepared teachers, laptops enabled disadvantaged students to engage in powerful learning experiences.” (Mouza)
4. Related Links Some helpful links to the use of laptops in a urban environment: Click below for some related articles. Gains in Achievement in Urban Setting Learning with Laptops
5. Summary In the article, Learning with Laptops: Implementation and Outcomes in an Urban, Under-Privileged School, Mouza finds that in this study the use of laptops in very effective in encouraging and increasing the excitement for a positive learning environment.
6. Personal Computers Invade the Classroom In this article, John Kemeny discusses the use of laptops in college and high school environments. Unlike the previous article, Kemeny believes the use of laptops to be harmful in the classroom. “ I would like to suggest that if they define the scope of personal computing in higher education, those computers will have a negligible impact on the quality of education.” (Kemeny)
7. Negative uses of Laptops in Classroom The use of laptops can lead students to play games, e-mail, or even facebook during class time. Kemeny argues that these distractions out way to benefits. Related link: Backlash on Laptops in Classroom
8. Summary In the article Personal Computers Invade the Classroom, John Kemeny gives a different view to the idea of equipping classrooms with a 1:1 ratio of laptops to students. He views these a distraction while trying to educate.
9. School Board Passes 1:1 Laptop Program This article from the Zionsville Times Sentinel discusses the already passed program that lets every middle school student to have their own laptop. The students either rent or buy these laptops. Superintendent Scott Robison said, “ The laptops, which students will also take home for homework, have improved engagement in the classroom, and they help students connect and interact with the real world.”
10. Support There was overwelmingsuportt from the teachers of this program, “ Middle school teachers at the meeting unanimously greed to expand the program.” (Smith) This program passed on a 3:2 vote by the board. Jane Burgess, school board member, strongly disagreed stating, “ It takes less than five mintues for a child predatorto make contact with a child.”
12. Summary This article shows that these laptop programs are begging to become very active in schools across the state. Many are meeting obstacles but the idea of this emerging technology is being spread quickly.
13. Laptops in The Classroom The use of personal laptops as an emerging technology has many people fighting for and against the concept. There are many positive ideas, including advanced learning and interactions, but there is still a lot of hesitation when teachers and parents feel that students will be spending more time playing than learning. In experimental programs, like the one at Zionsville's middle schools, we will soon know the true usefulness on a 1:1 laptop program in the classroom.
14. References Mouza, Chrystalla. Learning with Laptops: Implementation and Outcomes in an Urban, Under-Privileged School . Journal of Research on Technology In Education. Vol 40,iss 4: pg. 447 Kemeny, John. Personal Computers Invade the Classroom. Creative computing, Vol 10, No.11: pg 173 Smith, Eric. School Board Passes 1:1 Laptop Program. Zionsville Times Sentinel. June 10th
