One to One Initiative

What is a reasonable expectation for initiating a one-to-one program at your school? First, is it possible and if no then why? Second, what device would work best for your school, and if you answered no to the previous, what device do YOU think would be ideal for your school? Is BYOT an option? Third, what kind of feedback would you expect from teachers? Last, how would YOU best use one-to-one devices in your classroom?

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ISTE Wiki One to One

Launching an iPad 1-to-1 Program

Is BYOT Just a Bridge to 1-to-1?

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Permalink Reply by Ada Todd on April 16, 2013 at 6:53pm

It was interesting to read your post, and you had so many wonderful resources. It is also extremely important that technology is provided to those who do not have their own. I was thinking about advertisements from various universities. They currently have a plan where they provide a tablet and all of the text books are on the tablet. Because their books are included in the tuition (or something to that effect) they save enough money to do this. (Or it may be a plan to expland technology or just a plan to enroll more students) but many are doing this. I would assume that this really enhanced their ability to provide 1:1 technology!

Students will get choice: iPad or MacBook - George Fox University
www.georgefox.edu/featured_stories/iPad-MacBook.html
George Fox students will have the option of choosing the Apple iPad this fall. Incoming freshmen who enrolled at George Fox University in the fall of 2010 had a ...

Australian university to offer 11,000 iPads to students enrolling in ...
www.ubergizmo.com/.../australian-university-to-offer-11000-ipads-t...
Dec 20, 2012 – Australian university to offer 11,000 iPads to students enrolling in 2013 Usually upon entering university, students are given a curriculum and a ...

11 Colleges That Give Students iPads (PHOTOS)
www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/08/19/ipad-college_n_687355.html
Aug 19, 2010 – iPhone app iPad app Android phone app Android tablet app More .... schools gift students with an iPad below (in return for their decision to enroll). ... In March, Seton Hill University in Pennyslvania announced that it will give ...

Permalink Reply by Lyndsey Leuterio on April 16, 2013 at 6:45pm

I believe the idea of a one-to-one program is a great idea and would most likely show great student growth but it would definitely be hard to accomplish in many public schools. Of course the biggest obstacle as with any technology oriented idea is accessibility. The only way I could see one-to-one program become possible is for every student to have a tablet or laptop issued to them. Our school has actually been talking about this being a goal but I do not know how long, if ever, it will take. We are making progress considering every teacher will be getting one next year! If everyone did have their own tablet or laptop we would then need to address internet access since there would be high volumes on the internet at a time. Tablets would definitely be a great source since students could access programs specifically designed for them. They could take the tablets home to continue work and of course it is nice since they are compact but could also come with accessories like plug in headphones and keyboards.

When it comes to BYOT I believe schools are getting closer to accepting this idea. I am personally on the fence with this especially because I work in a middle school setting and am almost positive some students would not use the technology properly. My school also has over 50% of the population on free and reduced lunch so many students do not even have technology they could bring. This causes an issue with equality.

I personally would use one-to-one devices such as Compass Learning or Coursesites in my classroom. I also could begin using more flipped classroom ideas. However, I would not use these every day. I think that student interaction and group work is essential in school and would never take it out of my classroom. Some lessons definitely lend themselves more to this type of teaching. I feel that I would use them the most after a concept is taught and possibly before a unit test or quiz. I think many teachers that are not as fond of technology would put up a lot of resistance towards this idea while newer teachers may be more open to the change.

Permalink Reply by Ada Todd on April 16, 2013 at 6:59pm

I thought the same thing until I read and re-read this: http://novemberlearning.com/educational-resources-for-educators/tea... seems to really hit on the issue well. After reading it I wonder why I wasn't thinking this way as well. The article is talking about how it really isin't the device (as far as which type) but HOW the 1:1 devices are used. So, because we know that 1:1 is not an if, but when, the next question (or maybe the first should be) how are we going to utilize it to ensure that students CAN use it for learning by participating in a world, instead of a network. For example, if there are limits that keep a student from posting blogs that other children can read, how can they truly blog?

Sorry to repeat a comment but I believe this also fits your discussion. I do agree that I would worry about what was happening on the "other end" with middle schoolers but there are apps to help with that, and students would soon learn that they have to remain focused and on task if they want to do well. I also agree, though, that it is expensive. There are many school district plans to reach 1:1 posted online.
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Permalink Reply by Stephanie Miller on April 17, 2013 at 9:11am

Hi Lyndsey! Great post! You brought up an excellent point when you mentioned your concern about students using technology properly in a 1:1 environment. I think that this can be addressed, in part, by using special software that allows for blocking certain programs or websites. This can help to keep students on task. I also think it comes down to classroom management. The more engaged students are, the less likely they are to allow their minds to wander. One additional concern that I have is student safety. I think that schools who plan to implement a 1:1 program need to first consider student safety and then implement all necessary security measures before deploying the devices. I think that education is an important part of ensuring safe computing. You talked briefly about the digital divide. I agree that 1:1 programs are an important part of addressing the access issue. Unfortunately, in today's economic climate, this is simply not an option for many schools. I think that bridging the digital divide is going to require a strong partnership among schools, businesses and government. What are your thoughts on this? Has your school district talked about other options available in addition to 1:1?

Permalink Reply by Ashley Reynolds on April 17, 2013 at 7:42pm

Lyndsey,

I couldn't have put it better myself! The program would be great for student growth! Imagine how much the students would be able to practice using different Web 2.0 tools. This would be difficult for any district to help happen, especially with how the economy is right now. It's nice to hear that your teachers will be receiving laptops or a tablet next year. I would like to have an iPad to be able to use in my classroom. I'm sure if I did though I'd be saying I wish I had a class set! I agree with your statement that students could access programs that were designed specially for them. Students could be using different apps focusing on skills that students need additional practice with. This would differentiate instruction and continue to provide students with the things they need. As a first grade teacher, I didn't think about students using the technology inappropriately, but thinking about middle and high school students I'm sure that would happen frequently. Even if it wasn't inappropriate material, it may be off topic like Facebook or email and not support student learning. It would also be an issue for students who could not afford the technology. Who would provide the technology for these students?

Permalink Reply by Colleen Martini on April 16, 2013 at 7:58pm

In my school, at this current time, it is not reasonable to expect a one-to-one program. Our building is not set up for wireless internet access. We are still using LAN to connect our two student computers to the internet. Every week we get “netbooks” for a few hours one day a week and they are the only devices that have access to wi-fi. It is in our districts technology plan that all buildings in the district have access to wi-fi in the next few years. It is also in the districts technology plan to give the High Schools the iPad and Apple TV in every classroom so that they can prepare their students for the real world. The district will then do the same with middle school and eventually elementary school. I definitely think that the iPad would be the best device for my school. There are so many ways to incorporate the iPad into effective teaching. I would use the many downloadable apps for students to practice basic skills such as multiplication and division. I would use apps that allow creation and collaboration. I know that with the rigor of the common core state standards, having the iPad in the classroom would be extremely beneficial for my students. I do not think BYOT is an option in my school because I think we’d have teachers against it and if not everyone agrees then it will not work. Also, I think that decision should be up to the district or school. If BYOT becomes an option there would need to be policies on how to use in the classroom etc. I know most of the teachers in my school would be very for having one to one iPad usage in the classroom, but I feel that there would be some teachers with negative feedback. Negative feedback, as in listing all of the cons about the technology and maybe their lack of professional development in the area.

Permalink Reply by Stephanie Miller on April 17, 2013 at 9:31am

Hi Colleen! Great post! You brought up some excellent points. Regarding BYOT, I agree that education on how to use BYOT in the classroom is an important part of the implementation process. I recently read an article online that discusses best practices for BYOT in the classroom. One of the best practices involves treating the devices like you treat books. This means taking them out when the lesson calls for them and putting them away when the lesson does not. Ultimately, I think the success of any BYOT program depends upon adherence to classroom management best practices. You mentioned that some teachers are against BYOT in your school. I think that education on BYOT (i.e., how to implement it so that behavior issues do not result, how to incorporate it into the curriculum, etc.) is an important part of quelling reluctance to BYOT. What are your thoughts on this?

Permalink Reply by Colleen Martini on April 17, 2013 at 5:50pm

Thanks for the article link! I'll be sure to check it out! I definitely agree with you about education on implementing BYOT. I think that all the kinks need to be worked out and rules made before it is actually implemented. With policies and procedures in place I definitely think that will quell the reluctance to BYOT.

Permalink Reply by Ashley Reynolds on April 17, 2013 at 7:36pm

Colleen,

I think a lot of public schools are all at about the same place with money and financial issues, so I do not think any of us will belucky enough to be part of the one-to-one program for a while. Imagine how beneficial it would be to our students though! I'm sorry to hear that your building does not have wireless access. Hopefully that becomes available to you sooner rather than later. That way, even if you do not have enough iPads for your entire class, the ones you could use could connect to the Internet and be used in productive ways. The iPads are great! I also hope to get more of those for my classroom. I agree with your statement there are so many ways to use them in the classroom. I have a friend who just received a few iPads for her classroom by completing a Donorschoose.org project. If you haven't heard of donorschoose.org, you can go to the website and explain how the iPads would be helpful in your classroom. People can go to your website and donate money towards your project. When your project is fully funded, donorschoose will send you the iPads! Easy as that! The only thing is that it would obviously take some time to raise that kind of money since iPads are so expensive! But, I've seen it happen!

Permalink Reply by Nicole Schaefer on April 18, 2013 at 7:16pm

I related to a lot of what you had to say in your post. I hate to say that the most relatable was the last couple of sentences about negative feedback. It is very frustrating when the same teachers pick out all of the negatives about new technology and theories. It's like when we say that a few students ruin it for all. It's the same situation here. I do believe that if our schools get new devices there needs to be a lot of professional development to use them properly. iPads are wonderful devices but they can be abused very easily. I can see them becoming more of a babysitter than a purposeful tool in some classrooms.

Permalink Reply by Gilbert Gonzalez on April 20, 2013 at 11:48am

Nicole,

I agree that it is very frustrating when teachers focus on the negatives of technology. When I encounter this in meetings, I always try to redirect the conversation from focusing on what we don't have and what we can't do, to focusing on what we do have and what we can do. I also feel that the idea of professional development needs to change. I don't believe that the traditional workshop model is going to provide teachers with the necessary 21st century skills at the depth required to teach today's digital natives. I believe that in order to achieve the level of proficiency required, 21st century skills have to be learned by embracing and infusing technology into our own lives, both personally and professionally.

Permalink Reply by Lyndsey Leuterio on April 18, 2013 at 8:19pm

Colleen,

Your initial response really shows how different each school and district is when it comes to technology. I hope that you are able to get wireless internet soon because it is definitely convenient. Although I will say it is not always reliable which of course is an argument about most technology anyway. It seems like whenever I have something great to share with my students from online the internet wants to go out. I also agree with your statement about some teachers being against BYOT. There are a lot of possibilities, pros, and cons with this idea. I would like to try it but I do not think all teachers would agree. I think every school has at least a handful of negative teachers who tend to complain about anything new or that suggest change. I find myself getting nervous or hesitant when change is suggested. I do think that it would be essential to include professional development in the area of whatever new technology or idea was being introduced. Thanks for the post, you brought up some interesting ideas!