After reading through the One-to-One computing article at eschoolnews there were a few points that stuck out to me.
The first was the difficulty in integrating computers into an educational classroom. They said that in order to have a successful and simple transition to computers that teachers have to be given their laptops, 'a full year ahead, so teachers can use the laptops and begin developing curricular possibilities.' On top of that, it takes months for the teachers to learn how to effectively use and teach with computers. Both of these are time costs that are often not included.
One important note is that some people think that by implementing 1-to-1 classrooms that performance and learning will naturally increase. The article does a good job of debunking this idea and places the responsibilities of growth back onto the instructor. The laptops are simply another tool that he/she can use in facilitating learning. If they do it well the “laptop computers [would not be] technological tools; rather, [they
would be] cognitive tools that are holistically integrated into the
teaching and learning processes of their school.” However, if done incorrectly the laptops only become very expensive notebooks.
In short, the article brought it back to the teacher. That it is their responsibility to facilitate learning and that technology, specifically one-to-one computing, is one tool that can be used to do so. The computing program will work so much as the teachers make it work.
The common theme from this article is undoubtedly the relationship of the teacher to the implications of technology and teaching methods. These educational tools and methods boil down to the effectiveness of the teacher. In my opinion, you were right when you said, "it is their (teachers) responsibility to facilitate learning and that technology, specifically one-to-one computing, is one tool that can be used to do so". This reinforces the idea of the teacher being a key facilitator in the educational gains of his or her students. The teacher is not ready to be replaced, but could use some help through certain educational tools such as the computing program as you mentioned.
ReplyDeleteI agree that eone-on-one classrooms success is based on the teachers involvement. If a teacher is not interested in using the computers, the computers are only going to hurt the learning of the classroom. The teachers need to be fully engaged with the computers, and if they aren't I don't think that a classroom should even have them. If a teacher wants to have these computers in there classroom, they are going to have to be able get involved with the students and be able to show them how to use them in the right way.
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