Laptops: Changing the Way Teachers Teach and the Way Students Learn

[Julene]

How have laptops changed the way you teach and the way your students learn? What instructional strategies or tips would you share with other educators involved in laptop programs?

[Lisa]

Here is a little brief synopsis, at my school I am the youngest teacher by 14 years and a laptop was an integral part of my undergraduate and graduate education. We have a 1:2.42 (for 2007-2008), but last year we were 1:4.32. We are striving for 1:3 in our PK-2 program, 1:2 in grades 3-4, and 1:1 in grades 5-8.

Here is what works for us:

1. All teachers have a del.icio.us and it is put on a page called "Student Resources" then our teachers are not wasting time trying to have students type in a web address. Students also use this section at home.

2. Each year during workshop week we start out with a Professional Development Survey in technology, this helps guide the professional development.

3. We employ resource experts. Each teacher learns a specific program so that another teacher can go to them with a question.

4. We reduced the number of hours I teach- keeping the technology in the classroom. I see the PK-4 students once a week.

5. During our month end staff meetings my principal and I facilitate a sharing session of what was done with technology integration. This is probably our best place for resource sharing.

[Julene]

Lisa,

I LOVE this idea of the del.icio.us accounts! I was planning the same type of thing for my teachers this upcoming year, and you are wayyyyy ahead of me! Love it!

I am also going to construct a school ning for faculty with the hopes that they will then begin to utilize this environment for their classes. My campus is 6-12, so that may work better there, but I think we absolutely need to grab the attention and interests of our students with these technologies that they are already utilizing. Now we are just adding the education ingredient to the mix.

Keep sharing!
J.

[ann s michaelsen]

I have tried to write about this on my web wordpress page. http://annmic.wordpress.com/
I'm constantly looking for solutions here.