• 1:1 Computing is an effective way to engage students in the learning process.• A recent National School Boards Association survey showed 96% of participants indicated that 1:1 computing programs increased opportunities for learning in the classroom• 93% stated it increased student engagement.

1:1 Computing Programs on the Rise with Netbooks Leading Adoption

• 16% of schools surveyed were incorporating Apple’s iPad.• While 35% said they were using netbooks.• An amazing 22% indicated that they were opening up district networks to allow students to use their own devices.

Source: The Journal, by David Nagel

1:1 Computing Programs on the Rise with Netbooks Leading Adoption

Personal Reflection: Although netbooks may appear to be a cheaper option to Apple’s iPad, the netbooks can have more technical and physical limitations than Apple products. An iPad that may cost two or three times more than a netbook, may last four to six times longer. Schools allowing students to use their own devices maybe providing the cheapest solution and the one that most resembles a college learning environment, may also be opening up a new digital divide for their students that cannot afford their own machine.

Brookline High School in Hollis, New Hampshire found it cheaper and easier on teachers and IT staff when they placed wireless internet access throughout it’s entire school.

Teaching Without Wires

• The staff worked with laptops and iPads as the school launched their 1:1 Computing program.• An iPad lab was set up in their library to help teachers and students learn how to use the devices.• So far interest in the iPad has been low.• The administration blames this on teachers not being able to use the programs of their choice and the small memory capabilities of the device.

Source: The Journal, by Bridget McCrea

Teaching Without Wires

Personal Reflection: With all new technology there is a growth curve to allow support of user needs. There are hundreds of iPad apps being added daily in the Apps Store. Teachers will eventually find the programs they need. The Pearson company recently added an app for their popular education program PowerSchool for both iPad and the Android operating systems. Storage capacity issues can be easily solved through the use of Google Apps that allows for virtually limitedless storage of emails, presentations, and word

processing documents.

Universities are sometimes seen as technology laboratories for the educational system as a whole. But often what works well for colleges may not translate to the K-12 sector.

Trickle Down Technology: Tech Lessons Learned From Higher ED

• K-12 schools have the advantage to watch institutions of higher and how they use technology to enhance the learning environment.• But some technologies may not be suitable for younger audiences. Example: A third grader drops their text book, no big deal. If they were to drop an iPad, that maybe costly.• However, most school systems are looking at ways to cut cost. Although iPads and other tablets are not cheap, if preloaded with a e-text books, calculators and other things a student might find in their

bulging backs, they may turn out to be an economic windfall.

Source: The Journal, by Charlene O’Hanlon

Trickle Down Technology: Tech Lessons Learned From Higher ED

Personal Reflection: I personally believe that K-12 school systems can be early adopters of technology and not waited to see what higher ed does before they act. It will require more thorough investigation on their part to do so, but it will eliminate a technology gap that some students might face when they enter college. At the very least they will be taking the literal weight off the shoulders of their students who lug fifty pound backpacks around their schools.

Conclusion:If the proper consideration is put into place as a school system is planning for technology, they will find that the iPad or devices like it, can save the system money, greatly increase the odds that students will engage in the learning process, and be better prepared to enter the technology heavy world of higher learning.