information about the computers we are recommending and ordering
information. For the past two years we've included a cover letter
(included below) presenting the pedagogical rationale for laptops. I'm
curious whether other one-to-one schools send out such a rationale, and if
so whether they would be willing to share these here on ISED. If anyone
has thoughts regarding how our letter could be improved it would be great
to hear those too. :-)
Thanks,
Fred
-------------------------
Fred Bartels
Head - Computer Department
Rye Country Day School
914-925-4610
====================================================
Why RCDS Has A Student Laptop Program
RCDS started its one-to-one computer program in 1999. The over-riding goal
of the program has always been to make the information processing power of
the computer available to students whenever and wherever needed. This does
not mean that laptops are or should be used all the time. Instead it means
that the computer will be there whenever there is a benefit to be gained
from its use. This approach is essentially no different from how pencil
and paper have been deployed in schools. Pencil and paper are not used all
the time but we want them to be immediately accessible at all times.
Following are some more specific reasons we have laptop computers at RCDS.
1. Schools that help their students and teachers harness the information
processing power which laptop computers provide will place their students
at a competitive advantage. Students will be more engaged in learning the
content of the curriculum while at the same time developing deep
competency using the problem-solving environment provided by the computer.
2. Laptops help promote a positive shift toward more project based, hands
on learning, and away from lecture based learning. Lecture based learning
will not, and should not, disappear. However, the information manipulation
environment provided by laptops allows teachers to reduce their reliance
on lecturing.
3. Writing is done across the curriculum. Word processing makes writing a
significantly more enjoyable process for students. Students do more
writing and revision when they have laptops.
4. Mathematics education is made richer and more engaging with the aid of
software tools like spreadsheets, Geometer's SketchPad, and Mathematica.
5. History, social studies, and current events instruction is enriched by
students having immediate access to the vast wealth of information
available on the Internet. Laptops provide a platform for the creation
and presentation of multimedia-rich projects.
6. Science education is greatly enhanced by the data gathering, data
analysis and simulation software tools that run within the virtual digital
laboratory the laptop provides.
7. Foreign Language instruction success correlates highly with the time
students are able to spend in immersive environments. The multimedia
capabilities of laptops allow students to spend more time listening and
speaking in the language of instruction. With the right software, and a
set of headphones, a laptop can function like a language lab work station.
Laptops also provide access, through the Internet, to the media of the
countries where the language of instruction is the native language.
8. In art, music and drama laptops provide easy access to examples of best
practices. Students visit virtual museums, listen to music clips, and
watch videos of great performances. Students also use various software to
assist in the creation of artwork, music, scripts and digital video.
9. Laptops provide easy storage and access to a student's accumulating
body of work. By viewing previous work students can better gauge their own
progress and avoid repeating tasks already accomplished.
10. All students develop a strong competency in using computers. Providing
laptops to students goes a long way toward eliminating any digital divides
in the use of technology.
In sum, enabling students with laptops helps create a more humane school
environment in which drudgery and deadening repetitive tasks are minimized
while exploratory and creative tasks are maximized.
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