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Abstract

I drafted a case study following a visit to a school in Nashville where every pupil had a laptop computer. When we get to this point in the UK we will think very differently about ICT, I would predict.

Author: Mike Bostock

Publication Date: 2003

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The view of teachers, and written testimonials from pupils, suggested that this approach was having an impact on:

– the effectiveness of learning for all groups of learners

– the development of higher order thinking skills

– the ability to multi task

– pupils confidence in giving presentations

– the proportion of active learning that took place during the school day

The following is a list of some of the features of their approach:

Technical issues

– There was a technical support team of a network manager and four technicians

– When laptops developed problems the technical support team would switch the student’s hard disc into a loan machine while their laptop was repaired

– The carry case was of a design where it covered and protected the computer even when in use.

Practical issues

– Desks had charge points built into them

– There was no restriction on when pupils could use laptops

– An acceptable use policy was in place

– The laptops were wireless so that pupils could locate their files anywhere on the campus, and gain Internet access

Teacher development

– Teachers were given laptops one year ahead of pupils

– Staff development was provided with a focus on teaching and learning (‘sage on stage’ to ‘guide on side’ issues).

Keyboard skills

– Local elementary schools taught keyboard skills to pupils so that they were more fluent by the time they reached high school

– The use of school-run private chat rooms, between groups of pupils, and classes and their teachers, developed keyboard skills further

– Not all pupils were fluent enough to use ICT for note-taking during lessons

Curriculum issues

– When pupils have continuous access to ICT there is less need to teach ICT skills – at least not over an 11 year period as we do in the UK

– The main goal of ICT was seen as empowering pupils to learn across their subjects

– Relatively few pupils were interested in studying ICT as a subject.

Longer term

– The school was building a new library (partly electronic) and multi-media laboratory

– The school was developing ‘distance learning classrooms’ with video conferencing, to expand learning opportunities and share teacher expertise.

Publications

The Impact of ICT on Schooling – NAACE

Learning in the 21st Century – Insight/NAACE

Implementing ICT revision – NAACE

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References & Contacts

None available

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