Key+Understandings


 * The Laptop Taskforce believes there is value in a one-to-one student laptop initiative at ISB, and the concept is worth investigating further.**

1. There is a growing body of evidence that indicates a one-to-one student laptop initiative enhances learning and teaching, in the context of clearly articulated curriculum outcomes and processes, appropriate learning and teaching practices, and significant initial and ongoing professional training and support. 
 * Key Understandings:**

2. The school has a responsibility to provide students and teachers with the tools and strategies to function effectively in their current learning/teaching world as well as their current social world. 

3. A one-to-one student laptop initiative is first and foremost a curriculum development initiative. Technology must be driven by, support and enhance the curriculum, learning and teaching. 

4. The emphasis of a one-to-one student laptop initiative is the support for, and improvement of, student learning. 

5. The demand for access to technology at ISB currently outstrips supply, and will continue to grow and intensify. 

6. The community (parents, faculty and students) must be involved and informed at each stage of the decision making and implementation process. 

7. A one-to-one student laptop initiative is a long-term initiative which must be included as a strategy in the Strategic Plan. It must be thoroughly researched and planned. Initial implementation will take a minimum of three to four years. 

8. A one-to-one student laptop initiative will require significant initial and long term funding, requiring an increase in student fees. 

9. Intensive initial start-up teacher professional development, and ongoing professional support and time will be critical to the success of a one-to-one student laptop initiative. The following areas are of particular importance: · Adapting their curriculum to maximize the use of one-to-one student laptops · Adapting their teaching and learning practices to maximize the use of one-to-one student laptops · Converting paper content to digital · Developing effective classroom management techniques 

10. The integration of technology must be formally addressed in curriculum unit plans, and embedded in learning and teaching practices. 

11. The integration of technology in learning and teaching must be formally addressed in administrator and teacher recruitment and evaluation processes. 

12. The school will need to upgrade its network infrastructure, ensuring it is flexible to respond to changing needs and technology. 

13. Additional technical personnel will be required 

14. Differentiated implementation strategies will be needed for each division. 

15. There will be anticipated but unknown ongoing infrastructure, professional support and technical support costs. 