One-to-one

I first saw this article on Slashdot last week. It made it’s rounds through the blogs and even onto the eTech Tech Coordinator listserv. The buzz is all about schools with 1:1 student:laptop programs. In other words, every student in a grade level (sometimes in an entire building) has a laptop. Some states have state-wide initiatives where every student in the state gets a laptop.

Maine – http://www.maine.gov/mlte

Michigan – http://www.ftlwireless.org

Last night we went to an ice cream social at church. It was an end-of-the-year thing for one of the children’s programs. We have four different Sunday services, so there were a few people that I didn’t know. It was Wednesday; I had to talk to someone I didn’t know. I sat beside someone I knew was a teacher. I won’t go into it, but I can usually tell if someone is a teacher. I started the conversation with, “Where do you teach?” We were on our way. It didn’t take long for him to mention someone I know… his tech coordinator.

At this point I find out his school has a 1:1 program. They are finishing their first full year where every student in two grades has a laptop. They also plan to continue the program next year.

I still couldn’t tell if he thought the program was going well or not. Yesterday he had to confiscate two laptops because students were playing Halo during class.

I asked how he used the laptops in class. He said students use the Internet to research processes used in class. They also use software to plan and manage projects. He teaches a shop class and said he has an easier time than most teachers. There are times when his students must use shop equipment and do not need the laptops. During those times all laptops are required to be in book bags. He said other teachers don’t have that luxury. In most classes the laptops are out all the time. It can be difficult to tell if a student is working or playing.

On the plus side, he said students don’t carry huge book bags around. All the text books are online and can be accessed from home or school.