Journal #6

Fitting the Pieces Together- Successful Integration with Laptops
By Patricia Yost
Learning and Leading with Technology
November 2007

This article discusses the the successful integration of laptop computers among middle school students at a school district in Pennsylvania. This is a pilot program that focused on pedagogy rather than technology so that students could take their learning to a higher level. The resources teachers were able to utilize for this program allowed them to make significant changes in the way they viewed, presented, and taught material. Students not only were able to successfully integrate technology into their lives, but more importantly, they were able to use it to enhance the whole realm of their learning experience. Who would have thought that middle schoolers would be able to create power point presentations, spreadsheets, make videos, plus more? These are all things that I am just beginning to learn as an adult! I wish I would have had these options as a child!
This pilot program started with 8 sixth grade teachers and moved to a whole program that integrated students with laptops. First year teachers would get a personal laptop of their own with a video projector to share with her class and another teacher. A second year teacher would get personal laptop, a ceiling-mounted projector, and a cart of laptops that are shared with another classroom. By year 3, they have all the fore mentioned, plus digital video and cameras.

1.) What are the possible downfalls of this program?
Answer: Well, since the first year the students don't have access to laptops and they only get to see the computer "stuff" from a projection screen, they aren't able to utilize the technology themselves. This doesn't seem that different than what is in place currently in many schools. But by year three, the students are fully utilizing these programs and equipment and they are beginning to see technology as a way of life.

2.) How would I utilize this program as a teacher in middle school?
Answer: This would be so exciting for me. To be able to bring up different math programs online and have the class participate in them would bring a whole new dimension to teaching algebra. A teacher could create online competitions between other classes in other schools, they could get teaching ideas from other areas, and utilize so many resources to assist the material. There seems to be endless possibilities to assist in the learning and development of my students.