Journal Article #1 "Taking Laptops Into The Classroom" NETS 6

BIBLIOGRAPHIC CITATION: Green, Tim, Donovan, Loretta, & Bass, Kim. (2010, August). Taking Laptops Schoolwide: A Professional. Learning and Leading Through Technology, Retrieved from https://acrobat.com/#d=7rIs4heRCXPhOZp7l-otEg

Summary
Integrating laptop use in the classroom can be incredibly beneficial--if it's done correctly. This article explains what methods can be used to successfully use laptops in the classroom. The first important means for teaching technology is building on previous knowledge. The article stresses that instead of teaching brand new concepts build on what the students have already learned in previous classes about computers. The authors used the example of teaching basic word processing and then later teaching how to put images or sound effects into the document. The second important factor was to use the PLC approach which focuses more on learning and less on teaching and individual accountability. In order for all of these approaches to work successfully it's important to remember four factors. The first is school climate. A school should have a supportive administration and parents and, ideally, with teachers who have some kind of experience on laptops. Also, make sure that there is communication and parents and the school clearly know the educational value of having the computers in the classroom. The article suggested making a classroom web page to keep everyone informed, and I thought that was a really clever and good idea. The last two self explanatory factors to a successful integration of laptops into the classroom are collaboration and progression of use.

Q#1- Is it realistic to think this would be financially possible?

A#1- In the financial state we are in collectively as a nation, it seems unrealistic. However, laptops are similar to using a computer. Having said that, most if not all schools do have computers available to them either in the classroom or the library. Maybe a couple times a week a class could go into the library to use the computers. They're still learning the basic skills and then maybe when a school/district could afford it, a set of laptops could be bought for the classroom. Another way to get over the financial obstacle if the school is really inclined to use laptops would be to buy a few class sets. And then the classes can rotate them between all the different classes so the students all get their chance to work on laptops.

Q#2- Why is the PLC approach so effective?

A#2- A PLC approach is effective because it puts a lot of responsibility on the teacher rather than the student. The teachers work together to collaboratively devise a plan to teach the students on the laptops. And with the PLC approach it is more about teaching than it is about the student's accountability for grasping the idea.  If student's are struggling with a particular lesson then the teacher is responsible for addressing it. Like the second grade teacher, for example, who had the students who were struggling with the math concept. The second grade teacher "team" got together and assigned homework until the concept was understood by the students. You have more teachers working together and that can only help to better the student's learning environment.