Teacher Laptop Integration Ideas

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Anthony K Whelan on May 22, 2008 at 3:10am

My school is an independent school in Australia. Teachers have to pay for their own laptops. I convinced the school to purchase an Apple MacBook for a boy with Asperger's Syndrome, as well as an ipod. They've been of a great help to him. He uses the computer to study, write notes, play chess on line and to research online. He uses the ipod to help him with literature. The better readers in the class make podcasts of the books we're reading, and he is able follow along. I also have a class web site, and I post movies and spelling movies, as well as podcasts, vodcasts, slideshows and You Tube feeds. It helps the kids in my classes know what is happening, what's for homework, when assignments are due, and it is particularly effective for the boy with Aspergers. I wish I had more MacBooks. We've had a change of government over here, and the Socialist agenda is anti private school, so our scarce resources will become even scarcer. If you want to have a look at my web page, it is:
http://web.mac.com/kingswarrnambool

If I had my way, I would give every child from Year 3 up a laptop, or allow them access to a laptop. As for teachers having a laptop, for the last ten years, teachers in the Government system in Victoria, Australia, have been given laptops, and they have greatly enhanced their proficiency. Teachers in the Catholic and Private systems have had to pay for their own laptops, but we don't have to pay tax, and we can salary sacrifice them over three years, which means that the bulk of the payment comes out of gross tax. I have been teaching computers since 1984, and I have used all manner of operating systems and software. I hope you're getting Macs, because they are so geared up for education that it leaves pc's for dead. If not then I hope that the operating system is Linux, especially Urbuntu. It is virtually free, and it's accompanying software is a fraction of what MS charges.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by HHampson on May 25, 2008 at 11:47am

"for the last ten years, teachers in the Government system in Victoria, Australia, have been given laptops, and they have greatly enhanced their proficiency."

What sort of pre- and post testing did they do to show that teacher's proficiency was increased and it was related directly to laptop use? I ask only because this is slowly becoming an issue where I am - that 'giving' students (or making them purchase) laptops does not correlate to better performance. The impact tends to be much smaller than assumed. I am guessing this is in part due to a lack of ongoing professional support. Laptop/technology use is more complicated than access to equipment. Your students are lucky to have someone that is technologically efficient, and so inclined, however, I don't think this is the norm! :) (Unfortunately... at least, not yet.)

If a change is to be seen, it must be through sustained, consistent support and pd that is differentiated (so people that are more proficient aren't left behind, and the complete noobs aren't totally overwhelmed). It should NOT necessarily be web based (just because you can, does not mean that it is the best way), it SHOULD be integrated into the normal work day - if you really want people to adopt, respect them and treat them well. Educate them, and provide ongoing support. DON'T ask them to work overtime they already do - they're teachers) and don't assume that technology will somehow reduce their workload or make their life easier. Uh, indigo? PD from home? I don't know about that.... only if self-directed. My two cents...

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Susie Corbett on May 22, 2008 at 1:17pm

Hi, I had a laptop provided by Tech Ed funding about four years ago. I can't imagine not having one. I constantly work on lesson plans at home : researching, creating tutorials, developing handouts, honing up on software, e-mailing collegues, and archiving important files. I can't possibly get everything done during school time so having a laptop at home extends my work day in an easy chair and pj's. During class, I use my laptop with an Elmo and a digital projector for visual aides. It is like having access to a huge file cabinet, library, and electronic media at all times. Every teacher needs a laptop. Lucky you!

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Elise Mueller on May 24, 2008 at 6:24am

As a teacher I had a difficult time getting past the first bullet. Lock down the laptops and give us basic accounts? Why not just give us the same permissions the students have? That would make things extra easy and extra safe!

What happens when you do this is you create an environment where teachers go back to buying their own laptops, pop in a Verizon wireless card and have free access in their classrooms to an unfiltered, fast, usable laptop that lets them use the tools of their choice to meet the needs of their students.

A better solution would be to work with teachers and treat them like professionals. My IT department lets all teachers have admin access on our laptops. It saves them more headaches than it creates. We troubleshoot problems before putting in work orders, install new programs ourselves, and generally feel like trusted partners.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Tim Holt on May 23, 2008 at 10:42pm

Neil, email me..I have lots of info on our rollout..

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Kelley Irish on May 24, 2008 at 12:35pm

There are several ways to handle security issues. At the server level and at the workstation level. The approach on security for school SHOULD NOIT use the same procedures as other industries because the software useage is entirely different.

Most businesses have 3-4 software packages that they use to fit the particular needs of their business. Those software packages remain pretty much the same and new software is rolled out with a training program.

Education is very different from this. Teachers teach 3-7 subjects depending on the age level they teach. District do not allow much, if any money for software. The advent of web 2.0 tools allows teachers to use free internet resources. Treating teachers like students????? Even the sentence does not read well.
1. First computers can be set to use rated sites and content managers.
2. Virus protection software can be installed both on the district netwroks and on workstations.
3. In addition guidelines should be in place for downloads-IT personal need to be kept informed and in the loop as to what free opensources packages are used and appropriate. IT should NOT determine curriculum by having the ability to limit the choices educators make. IT personal are NOT teachers and do know have the educational expertise to make curriculumn decisions.
4. A group of teachers from the district should meet monthly to determine what additional software is needed, and provide rational behind the list of sites they wish to have available.
5. After the curriculum experts have made their choices the IT personal need to make the sites and software available.
Educators need to be in charge of educational software and site choices. IT needs to make sure that teachers can use these resources. Each has an important role to play. Let's remember that schools are not just any business. We are NOT "Industry Standard". We are a dynamic and ever changing educational community that need to be able to use the best resources available to engage our students and raise academic achievement.

Let the educator make educational choices and let's let the IT people make sure that the hardware and software work so that the resources can be used!

I totally disagree about the "push back" facotr. In places I have visited and educational technology teachers that have talked we all know which district have the IT people with Power and control issues and No one ever wans to get a job in thoses places. Teachers from those districts feel like they are reporting to the IT department and the IT department is making educational choices- the result-teachers give up and simply don't use the technology. No viruses for IT to support and.....no engagement for students.

On the other hand districts where the teachers meet-make the site and software choices use much more technology with students. The IT department develops relationships with the teachers on the Curricular Tech community and the relationship is dynamic and focuses on what the students need- not indistry acceptable practices.

I am in the unique position of managing a network and making software decesions. I have worked with both types of IT support systems and the latter is a joy to work with. The former---a nightmare.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Kelley Irish on May 24, 2008 at 6:04pm

I can only share with you my perspective.

I am glad you feel that your system works for you and the teachers. Do the teachers feel this way as well???

It would also be interesting to gather data on teacher useage of technology for student instruction with your "Locked Down" model and compare it to a more open ended model .

A comparrison of student achievement scores would be the final thing to look at. I am interested in the educational outcomes.

I am very glad that I am trusted to choose and use the technology I need. It is afterall what I went to college for. After 10 years-no virus-no security issues.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by HHampson on May 25, 2008 at 11:54am

It's impacted the need for ongoing and sustained professional development that is differentiated across a number of levels (here in Quebec, language as well as subject domain, previous abilities, software and online web tools). If it is to be effective and bring about change, the pd must follow the capital investment. Timely, frequent, and supported. Good luck!

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Stephanie Cheney on June 5, 2008 at 11:25am

I'm curious to know about your training plans, our faculty all have laptops and are great at teaching students how to push buttons but struggle w/true integration. What are the best methods/strategies to get faculty to start using the laptops with students in a 1-1 situation?

• ▶ Reply