1:1 Computing... The Good and the Bad

In my last blog post I provided a link to an article that gave a description of the potential good and bad that can come from having laptops in a classroom setting.  In this post I am going to discuss the best arguments from each side of the debate.

During my undergraduate career, I had Professors that encouraged laptops in the classroom and I also had Professors that banned them.  Those that encouraged laptops suggested that students use them as a tool to gather information, take notes, or download the lecture materials to follow along during class. The Profossers that banned laptops from the classroom thought them to be a distraction that prevented students form fully engaging in the day's discussion, often tempting students to browse the web, play computer games, or work on other assignments not appropriate for the topic being discussed that day.

In a college classroom setting, the introduction of laptops has a much different result than if laptops were introduced into an elementary school classroom.  Right now, I am going to focus more on the the main arguments for and against laptops in an elementary school setting.

One of the main arguments in favor of laptops in education is through interactive learning students will engage more and therefore their learning experience would be enhanced.  The One Laptop Per Child movement focuses on providing each and every child with a internet-capable laptop complete with educational software.  The following is a link to their website with their mission statement;
http://www.laptop.org/en/vision/index.shtml
They believe that, "When children have access to this type of tool they get engaged in their own education." In other words, they believe that by providing children with an educational tool that they can carry with them at all times they will be able to find joy in "self-empowered" learning.

The main argument opposing laptops in the classroom is that such an emphasis on technology retracts from the actual learning that should be taking place.  The argument is that laptops in the classroom mean less student-teacher interaction.  With students using laptops in the classroom, teachers often times are unfamiliar how to best utilize them so students end up spending too much time "researching" on the internet and not enough time interacting with the teacher and their fellow students. 

Both sides seem to have valid points. Which side do you think has the more credible argument?

In my next post I will provide some information from studies done to determine the affects laptops have on children in the classroom.

Week 2 Post: Intro to the debate that is 1:1 Computing

As I mentioned in my first post, there is a debate about whether 1:1 Computing enhances or retracts from the educational experience. 

On one side, people believe that the constant access to technology allows students to accomplish more in the classroom.  The other side of the debate feels that such an emphasis on technology actually retracts from the learning experience.  The following is a link to an article by the Educational World Technology Center describing each side of the debate. Take a look and let me know what you think!

http://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/tech/tech197.shtml

1:1 Computing

For my first post, I would like to begin by apologizing for waiting until now to post.  I have been working some extremely long hours (16+ hour days, 7 days a week), so I have had a hard time adjusting.  But thats no excuse! I will pick up my blogging game from here on out.  Secondly, I would like to point out a pretty bizarre coincidence.  I did not choose a blog topic in time (big surprise right?) so I was assigned a random topic.  That topic happened to be 1:1 Computing.  Ready for the big coincidence? I wrote my final research paper at Stanford University on 1:1 Computing.  Crazy right? So I have a little bit of experience with the subject.  However, I wrote that paper almost 2 years ago so I'm gonna have to refresh my memory a little bit!

I will begin my discussion with a brief definition of 1:1 Computing.  1:1 Computing is the idea of providing a personal computer to students so they may use it to enhance their educational experience.  It focuses on the idea of providing students with access to information technology anytime of the day.

This is actually quite a contoversial idea.  In my thesis paper, I argued in favor of 1:1 Computing; however, there are many people who disagree.  Throughout my weekly postings, I will be discussing the two sides of the debate.  Ultimately, I hope to persuade a few of you to jump on the 1:1 Computing bandwagon!

The following is a link to an article written by the Educational World Technology Center.  They explain the different types of technology involved with 1:1 Computing. In the article, the pros and cons of each type of technology are discussed in depth.  This is a great article to get you familair with 1:1 Computing. Enjoy!

http://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/tech/tech194.shtml