Journal #1 Taking Laptops Schoolwide NETS-5

Taking Laptops Schoolwide: A Professional Learning Community Approach

                  By: Tim Green, Loretta Donovan, and Kim Bass

APA Citation: Green, Tim, Donovan, Loretta, & Bass, Kim. (2010). Taking laptops schoolwide: a professional learning community approach. International Society for Technology in Education, Retrieved from https://acrobat.com/#d=7rIs4heRCXPhOZp7l-otEg

Summary:

         School districts are implementing the use of Richard DuFour's Professional Learning Community (PLC) which is stated to be "a focus on learning rather than teaching, working collaboratively and holding ones self accountable for results." The PLC is using laptops as a means of incorporating education and technology in the classroom and at home. Students are able to use word processing programs at young ages which can be hugely beneficial for their future in school. Teachers are working collaboratively with one another and the community to come up with new and improved ways to utilize laptops in schooling. Many parents are in favor of this because it helps keep a student focused on homework and school related activities because they have access to a laptop. The article continued to explain that a schools climate, communication, collaboration and progression of use are things that are important in assessing before starting to take laptops school wide.

Question #1 How could I use this if I am going to teach History at the middle school level?

         I do not know what the average age is for children to become acquainted with the use of computer software but I have to assume it is rather young considering the technology that is available to almost everyone. Even if a child does not have a computer or Internet access at home by the time they reach middle school I'm sure that the vast majority if not all students have used a computer at a friends house, library or school. I think that it would be totally feasible to put together assignments that require a students to use a word processor and an Internet search site to find information about historical events. It is something that could be really beneficial for students to be familiar with researching before they enter high school and college where they will be held accountable for their own research and information.

Question #2 Where do these schools get the money for laptops?

       Perhaps the budget will put aside money for technology advances in schools but I do not think that is realistic. Teachers are working collaboratively following the PLC and maybe by all working together a teacher would be able to get a number of laptops that each classroom could check out and rent for a period of time. By alternating the use of the laptops it can also help with getting out any little glitches in the idea and can also provide a way for teachers to help one another with ideas for assignments and how to utilize the laptops to their fullest extent.