Independent School Educators' List (ISED-L): Re: "Mobile Computing?"

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Re: "Mobile Computing?"

We are not using netbooks, but we are using the mobile computing model. =
We have two classrooms per grade level K-5, and each grade (1st - 5th) =
has enough laptops for a full class. (Kindergarten has five in each =
classroom.) Each grade decides how they want to distribute the laptops. =
The teachers really hated carts, so all but one grade decided to move =
them to tables or shelves with power strips. Some grades have them all =
in one classroom and some have 10 in one classroom and 10 in another. =20

Our middle school has 120 students and 80 laptops. We keep the laptops =
on shelves (we have 60 PCs and 20 Macs). Students come get a laptop =
when they need one. =20

We moved away from the lab model three years ago. Students use =
computers a lot more now. In addition, students are using them when =
needed rather than at an artificially scheduled time. More than half =
the time (and almost 100% of the time in middle school) it is rarely the =
entire class using computers. A few students will be using the =
computers to work on a project, finish typing up a paper, doing some =
quick research, etc. =20

I did decide to put 10 Mac desktops into a small classroom for high-end =
video work, yearbook, and a few other things that wireless doesn't work =
well for. I went with Macs as my heavy video using teachers preferred =
this platform.

I think the most difficult part from a tech point of view is maintaining =
the more than 200 laptops. We have a technician that is also the help =
desk person. This allows for an average response time for tech support =
of less than 10 minutes. =20

From a teacher point of view, the first year was really difficult as =
they were expected to find ways to use technology in a more integrated =
way. We had two ed-techs to support them, but we did, and continue, to =
ask a lot of the teachers. The first year, the ed-techs were in the =
classroom 90% of the time technology was used, and often this was a once =
a week model. Three years later, the ed-techs are in the classroom =
about 20% of the time tech is used, and this is usually when a major =
project is being started. Laptops are used almost daily in grades 4 and =
up, and 2-3 times a week in grades K-3. =20

I am glad to answer any questions you might have.

Renee Ramig
Seven Hills School

-----Original Message-----
From: A forum for independent school educators on behalf of John P. =
Charney
Sent: Tue 6/29/2010 8:12 PM
To: ISED-L@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU
Subject: "Mobile Computing?"
=20
Our urban, private school (PK-12 -- 640 students) recently spent a day
discussing our technology vision amongst the technology department
members. The result is moving in the direction of netbooks as the
primary device for students. Our goal would be to have enough netbooks
to support at least one third (1/3) of the student body at any given
moment. We would move away from traditional desktop equipped labs in
favor of using the "tool" (netbook) wherever it is needed.

=20

1. Anyone using this model and what are the successes and
challenges?

2. Anyone seriously considering this direction?

=20

Would love to open up a dialog with someone in either of the above
situations.

=20

John

=20

***************************

John P. Charney

Director of Technology

charneyj@winchesterthurston.org