Laptops in the Classroom

04/19/23 1Michael Csorba and Erica Herzog

Michael CsorbaErica Herzog

MD 300Fairfield University

Fall 20077 November 2007

04/19/23 2Michael Csorba and Erica Herzog

Topic Statement

The purpose of this presentation is to discuss the implementation of laptops in the classroom.

• History of computers• Theory and obstacles• The process of application• Current use• Laptop Developments• Controversy of results

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History of Computers

• PCs to PDAs• First computer: Osborne 1 in 1981• Size of a sewing machine

• Grid Compass created for Grid Systems Corporation—used for NASA’s space shuttle program (1980s)

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History of Computers (Continued)

• SupersPort series (1987)• Floppy disk drive• Backlit blue and white STN LCD screen• NiCD battery pack• Intel 8086 processor

• Macintosh Portable (1989)• Active matrix display• Long battery life• Bulky

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History of Computers (Continued)

• 1990s• Increased battery life• Power-saving processors• Improved liquid crystal displays (LCD)• Improved storage technology• Improved connectivity

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Theory and Obstacles

• One does not “learn ‘computers’ but you ‘use’ computers to learn something else” (Nair).• Not in isolation• Not passive tools, i.e. pencil and pen

• “Digital Teaching Assistants”• Role of Teacher

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The Process of Application

• Two Wireless Options:• Laptop cart acts as an access point• Each Cart is plugged into a network jack and a power

source

• Access points throughout the building, allowing for 100% overage

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The Process of Application (Continued)

• The Correct Laptop• Purchase a brand-name Laptop with a Three Year

warranty• Built in wireless cards• Two batteries• Laptop Cart

• Security• Network

• High-speed• Virus and Backup Software

• Usernames and Passwords• Avoid generic names and passwords• Personal Drives

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The Process of Application (Continued)

• Funding and Monies• How can districts and schools afford to implement computers?

• Rockman states that “prices are falling”• Federal Grants

• Application and research• East Rock Magnet School

• Teacher Training• Intimidation• Suggestions:

• Support Group-meetings and facilitators• Portfolio of “Cheat Sheets” • “Buddy System”-marking progress• Students and Teachers work alongside each other

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Current Use

• Maine’s case study of two middle-school science teachers

• Over 17,000 students and teachers received laptops

• Word-processing software, Internet browser, First Class email and bulletin software, various

helper applications, and World Book Encyclopedia

• Terms of use

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Current Use (Continued)

• ACOT (Apple Classrooms of Tomorrow) Project• Wireless set-up• One-to-one computing significantly changes roles

of teachers

• Florida• Podcasts in life processes, weather, habitats, and

ecology

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Laptop Developments

• ThinkPad creator and Lenovo’s worldwide Vice President of Development, Arimasa Naitoh• Improved performance• Improved battery life• Raising displays and removable keyboards• Support new MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple

Output) wireless LAN technology

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Laptop Developments (Continued)

• The Apple Company• Liquid cooling systems in laptops

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Cons

• Results aren’t consistent• New technology doesn’t correlate with

standardized tests• Students being taught desirable skills for work

but not for the classroom• Distracting

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Pros

• Affordable (see website http://tinyurl.com/2rsteo)

• Increasing potential• Portable• Motivation—student enjoyment• Students score better on tests than those who

don’t use laptops (shown in chart)

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Pros (Continued)

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Pros (Continued)

Grade I II III IV

A 1 7 7 6

B 8 6 6 6

C 4 1 4 4

D 2 1 5 5

F 4 3 1 1

Withdrew 4 5 1 2

Total # students

23 23 24 24

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Works Cited

airis-pda.jpg http://tinyurl.com/yosfmv

Apple2.jpg http://tinyurl.com/3xq9xj

App_B.jpg http://tinyurl.com/2tnlwe Compassc.jpg http://tinyurl.com/3dqoda

compaq_laptop_hire.jpg http://tinyurl.com/28ravb

HPLaptopzv6000series.jpg http://tinyurl.com/39dp34

laptopCart.jpg http://tinyurl.com/2yb7zz

Lenovo Thinkpad X41 Tablet PC.jpg http://tinyurl.com/3bvwln

L_Fujitsu-MBL8086-2.jpg http://tinyurl.com/29663v

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Works Cited (Continued)

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Macintosh portable.jpg http://tinyurl.com/3xlnzo

mini-laptop-Averatec-1050-EB1.jpg http://tinyurl.com/2zpjbe

Osbourne1.jpg http://tinyurl.com/2trt4u

panasonic-toughbook-laptop1[2]2.jpg http://tinyurl.com/yow4yr

PC_students2005.jpg and PCs_cart2005.jpg http://tinyurl.com/38ubfm

Sony-Vaio-TR1A-notebook-review-795389.jpg http://tinyurl.com/2gpusk

Yqaqfb.jpg http://tinyurl.com/yqaqfb

THE END

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