Key+understandings+to+support+your+recommendations

Opportunities that a one-to-one student laptop initiative would provide Challenges that would result from a one-to-one student laptop initiative Recommendation Bibliography Research Group Homepage

Key Understandings ü That there are clear goals for a one-to-one program; with a mission statement and plan for the program (Livingston) ü That all community members are informed throughout the process and are supportive (Livingston) ü That the funding is available (Livingston) ü That there will be frequent and ongoing professional development (Livingston) ü Frequent parent night gatherings are critical to the program and keep the community informed (Review of State and National Laptop Initiatives-Manatee County) ü Schools need to consider carefully the teaching styles of its faculty when implementing the program (Review of State and National Laptop Initiatives-Clearview Avenue Elementary School) ü Teachers are held accountable for integrating technology into their teaching (Review of State and National Laptop Initiatives-Quaker Valley School District) ü Students are held accountable (e.g bring their computer to class, taking care of their computer) (Review of State and National Laptop Initiatives-Clearview Avenue Elementary School) • "Only good teaching improves learning. But 1-to-1 can be one of their strongest tools for improving learning." (Muir, 2005) • The focus needs to be on teaching and learning not on the technology for technologies sake. (Muir, 2005) ü 21 st century skills (information and communication skills, thinking and problem-solving, and interpersonal and self-directional) with the tools of technology to promote these skills do not make up an additional course, but rather they must be integrated within the traditional curriculum to be authentic (Barrios, et al).

ü “Students’ work in school must prepare them for complex, authentic tasks that will be demanded of them beyond the classroom and as adults. The portable laptop computer can become the most important tool available to an active learner” (Barrios, et al).

ü “Laptop hardware and software must be sufficient to allow students to be creators of content, not merely passive receivers of content. The laptop must be available to use as a cognitive tool wherever and whenever the student is working” (Barrios, et al).

Zucker (2005) shows five key areas that must be considered when implementing a successful laptop program.
 * planning
 * training and professional development
 * hardware and software
 * managing change
 * program monitoring and evaluation.

“Tech support procedures and planning must be adequate to prevent disruptions in laptop availability. Support should be handled at the lowest level practical” (Barrios, et al).