school after we launched the laptop program and was pretty sure the
laptops would only serve as a distraction. He was quite surprised at
the impact this could have on teaching.
Now, that conversation opened him to discussing the value of the tool.
The next step was getting him to realize the transformative power of the
tools. Yes, it is great when it reinforces lectures. However, as a
believer in social constructivism, the real power comes in teachers
creating opportunities and spaces for students to create knowledge by
doing. That then can be exhibited through authentic tasks.
In the first scenario, the laptops significantly streamlined something
he was already doing. That has value and should not be dismissed.
However, in the second scenario, I think you get better learning and
teachers would be hard pressed to create this experience without the
access and equality of a 1:1 program.
Alex Inman
Director of Technology
Whitfield School
St. Louis, MO
314.434.5141
-----Original Message-----
From: A forum for independent school educators
[mailto:ISED-L@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU] On Behalf Of Ann Hamel
Sent: Friday, December 14, 2007 2:04 PM
To: ISED-L@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU
Subject: Re: Best English lessons with one-to-one laptops
I'd like to add a story from Alex's previous school in Wisconsin where
the Head of School (I believe that's who it was), who had been skeptical
about having laptops in the classroom, had to last-minute sub for a
teacher. Afraid that the students would be doing many other things than
taking notes on their laptops he asked every student to email their
notes at the end of class. When he started receiving their emails he
realized immediately where the students needed more instruction and knew
exactly what they did and did not understand from the lesson. I thought
that was pretty powerful. I may not have the details right - sorry Alex
- but you get the impression the experience had on that administrator.
-Ann
-----Original Message-----
From: A forum for independent school educators
[mailto:ISED-L@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU] On Behalf Of Patricia Moser
Sent: Friday, December 14, 2007 12:24 PM
To: ISED-L@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU
Subject: Best English lessons with one-to-one laptops
Friends,
We are exploring the possibility of a one-to-one laptop program at our
school. Part of that exploration involves educating ourselves about what
new and great things we might be able to do in our classrooms if all of
our students have laptops. In January, I will be making a presentation
to our upper school English department who are mostly skeptical about
the idea of one laptop per student. I want to show them some great
lessons that English teachers in other schools have done with a 1:1
program. These lessons could be for just plain laptops or for tablets.
If you know of a great lesson, could you send me a brief description?
If you send them to me off-list I will be happy to compile them into one
long list for anyone who is interested: moserp@sidwell.edu. Thanks so
much for your help!
Happy Holidays.
Patt Moser, Director of Information Services and Upper School Head
Librarian
Sidwell Friends School
3825 Wisconsin Ave. NW
Washington D.C. 20016
Tel: 202-537-8164
Mobile: 202-595-4941
Fax: 202-537-8174
Email: moserp@sidwell.edu
Web: http://www.sidwell.edu/upper_school/library.asp
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[ For info on ISED-L see http://www.gds.org/ISED-L ]
Submissions to ISED-L are released under a creative commons,
attribution, non-commercial, share-alike license.
[ For info on ISED-L see http://www.gds.org/ISED-L ]
Submissions to ISED-L are released under a creative commons, attribution, non-commercial, share-alike license.
