One to One Initiative

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Ada Todd on April 20, 2013 at 10:20am

Not having the infrastructure to carry multiple devices as well as not having wireless access (or security for wireless access) is a huge hurdle!  You can overcome it but it is often the first step and the largest!  I am kind of shocked that your school is still using LAN... I would imagine as well, that the teachers who are already against it to use the issues that will naturally occur as your infrastructure is built to use those issues as another reason to not upgrade.  (I can hear someone saying it is a fad from here...lol)

You bring up an excellent point about buy in.  Without buy in you can get movement and without use you can't get buy in.  Sometimes the buy in has to come from the bottom up before it can come from the district down.  It is frustrating!  I wonder if seeing how other districts and classrooms are using it would help?

Permalink Reply by Gilbert Gonzalez on April 20, 2013 at 11:32am

Colleen,

I think that BYOT provides school districts with limited funding new opportunities to increase their technology offerings. This was the case in my own school district. We were able to focus our financial resources on maintaining a robust wireless network with as fast of an internet connection as we could afford in order to enable students to bring their own devices to utilize in school. There was no way that we could have afforded to finance both the network infrastructure and enough devices for all of our students. BYOT is definitely a paradigm shift for many. There has been some resistance to it among our teachers, but like anything new, the resistance fades once people start opening their minds to the possibilities that are associated. In my school district, we are seeing BYOT utilization increase every year. Implementing a program such as this is definitely a process that takes time. 

Permalink Reply by Meghan Roop on April 20, 2013 at 1:49pm

Colleen, 

I agree that BYOT isn't an option for our district. Many of my parents won't let their kids use the computer to complete Compass Learning assignments at home. I can't imagine them allowing their students to bring the device to school. Also, a number of families may not have a device at all. I don't think BYOT is the answer for   an elementary school. 

Permalink Reply by Nicole Schaefer on April 17, 2013 at 6:22pm

     A one-to-one program at my school would be amazing but I am not sure of its possibility.  Our school is the largest elementary school in our district with over 600 students.  That is a lot of devices that would need to be purchased and I do not believe that my district would spend the money on that many devices, especially since we are one of five other elementary schools in our district.  In my school we have two computer labs set up with about 30 computers in each lab.  We also have Computers On Wheels (COWS).  These are laptops on a cart.  There are two sets with about 20 laptops on each cart.  Each classroom also has four laptop computers for students to use.  Every classroom has a SMARTboard as well.  I feel that my district spent a lot of money to ensure that every classroom in the district has a SMARTboard and this money spent on technology would prevent us from getting devices for every student.

     If my school chose to allow personal devices I believe that iPads would work best.  They take up very little space in our already over filled classrooms.  They have wireless capability, which means they do not need to plug into the wall.  Our current laptops also use wireless, but they have a lot of problems when too many computers are using it.  iPads are portable and very easy for students to use.  I like that iPads are all in one devices.  They have a camera, a video camera, a built in microphone, Internet access, and Apps.  All of these pieces make it useful for students to use in a variety of ways. 

     Bring Your Own Technology is a great idea but I worry about all of the different devices that would be brought in.  There are several devices that cannot get the same Apps as other devices while laptops have completely different access to different applications.  Educreations is an example that comes to mind.  The App is so much more user friendly then the Website.  On the Website you cannot insert text while on the App you can.  It is also nearly impossible to write using a mouse.  I feel that in order for student to use technology in a purposeful way, they should all have the same access.  

     In my school there would be mixed reception to one-to-one technology.  There are several teachers who do not feel comfortable with computers or any form of technology.  There are also the teachers that think that computers are only good for games during centers and that is the only time the students are interacting with technology.  The other part of my school would love to have access to this program.  There would be a lot of innovative instruction occurring in the classroom and the students would be engaged and using technology with a purpose. 

     For my classroom a one-to-one program would be an opportunity to create.  I love all of the ways that students can create products using technology, whether it is videos, pictures with recorded voice captions, or written reviews.  With one-to-one devices, students will be able to collaborate with one another and with the teacher.  The teacher can also use a flipped classroom model.  Students will have access to instructional videos and then class time can be used to do differentiated activities.  There are so many possibilities in a one-to-one classroom.  Hopefully my school will adopt a one-to-one program within the next few years.

Permalink Reply by Ashley Reynolds on April 17, 2013 at 7:31pm

Nicole,

I agree with a lot of your statements! I enjoyed the statement you made about how teachers would react differently about BYOT. I thought more of the idea of teachers either being comfortable or uncomfortable with technology being the siding factor. I didn't think so much of teachers just wanting to use technology for games. Our schools also sound very same on what we have available to us. My district also spent a lot of money ensuring that classrooms had SMARTboard and document cameras, I do not think they would jump on the one-to-one initiative at this time, especially with my district being in a financial low. We are hoping our second vote on our referendum will help teachers keep their jobs, so I do not think any new technology will be purchased for a few years.

Permalink Reply by Ashley Reynolds on April 17, 2013 at 7:26pm

A one-to-one project at my school would be incredible! It would provide so many opportunities for my students. However, I do not see how it would be possible, and I could imagine it would be difficult for any public school to get started. My school district is currently applying for our second referendum in order to keep positions in the district. We voted once back in February, and the referendum was denied, so the district is trying again to have a counter offer passed. With money being such an issue in my district at the moment, I cannot imagine how they would find money to provide a piece of technology for about 700 students. In my school, we currently have one full computer lab. This lab has enough computers to support an entire classroom. We also have computers in each grade level pod, but it is just under a classroom set. In our classrooms, we also have two student computers, a SMARTboard, and a document camera. Even though we do not have the one-to-one program, we still have a lot of technology in my building.  My school is the newest Elementary School in the district. I feel that when they built the building, they really made sure to have the most up to date technology and a decent amount of it. If I was able to have the one-to-one project at my school, I would like our school to purpose iPads. I feel like these could be easily stored, and the number of apps available for the iPads are endless! Students could easy carry the iPads around, and they could access the Internet just like a computer. All the different apps could address any skill that is being discussed in the classroom. Bring Your Own Technology is a great idea in theory, but I would be worried that something would happen to the while they were at school. I would be nervous that they would either get broken or stolen. There would need to be some type of written consent from students and parents signing off the technology to be used in school. I think this idea of BYOT may work out much better at the middle and high school level. I also feel that students would have so many different types of technology, which could cause problems if students do not have access to the same apps or games. I think some teachers would love the idea, and some would be extremely uncomfortable. It is amazing to me how many teachers there are that still do not use technology in their classroom. These are the teachers that have been teaching for several years, and they do not have the experience with technology. Many educators would use the technology for supplemental and instructional activities throughout the day, while other teachers would want to use it for games and down time.  I think a one-to-one program in my classroom would be extremely beneficial. Teaching in an inclusion setting, many of my students need to learn the material is several different ways. Technology could be one way that is easier for me. Providing students with technology through videos games, pictures, recordings, or the Internet, provides many opportunities for the students to broaden their knowledge on a topic. I’m hoping that within the next several years, my district is able to get back in a comfortable financial state. I’m hoping when that happens technology is a top concern for them.  Using the one-to-one program would be very beneficial for all students.

Permalink Reply by Laura Anderson on April 17, 2013 at 7:32pm

I think that it would be wonderful to have a one to one program at my school.  I teach at an elementary school with 1^st-5^th grades and technology is limited.  This year our district is severely lacking funds to continue to operate as usual, and I don’t think it would be possible to fund these devices.  We are currently going after a district referedum and asking for extra money for this program would not be an option.   If I got to choose a program to have at our school, it would be to have access to a classroom set of iPads.  A few special education classrooms in my building I have one to use in their classrooms, but not every classroom does.  I think that the ability to use an iPad in a classroom would give the students access to resources and apps that they otherwise wouldn’t.  An added perk is that this technology would be right at their fingertips, literally.  The possibilities would be endless, and it would meet studetns need in several different ways.   The one to one programs sounds ideal for any school, although the issue would be finding funding to provide them to every student.

Permalink Reply by Stephanie Miller on April 18, 2013 at 9:03am

Hi Laura!  Great post!  I agree that 1:1 programs are terrific for primary and secondary schools.  Advantages to having a 1:1 program include expanded access to information and resources, differentiated input to meet different learning styles, increased attention to work and individualized, facilitated, hands-on learning.  As we have talked about in previous discussions, our students need exposure to as many technologies as possible.  One of our key roles as educators is to ensure all of our students become 21st century learners.  Schools with limited access to technology place their students at risk.  I think schools should exhaust all possible avenues before writing off technology purchases as too expensive.  I think we need to also look at the expenses associated with not having these technologies.  I conducted a brief search online and found a number of grants available to schools wanting to acquire technology.  Do you know if your school has applied for any grants?  Maybe that would be an option.

 

Reference:

http://www.techlearning.com/news-and-trends/0061/study-shows-the-be...

Permalink Reply by Ashley Reynolds on April 18, 2013 at 6:26pm

Laura,

I agree, the one-to-one program sounds like a great idea and an idea that would really support our students! It is disappointing that technology is limited for your small group 1-5 classroom. My district as well is very short on funds, possibly having to make cuts in staffing, so this concept is not possible. The iPads are very popular with this topic. I would also love to have a class set of iPads to use to stretch the minds of my students. I agree that these iPads would provide resources and practices that the students need. This would take the idea of differentiation to a new level.

Permalink Reply by Lyndsey Leuterio on April 18, 2013 at 8:25pm

Laura,

I think I would pick an iPad over any technology to add to my classroom as well.  The only thing better would be a class set!  iPads would make differentiation and one-to-one learning a much easier task especially with all of the apps available.  Another great thing would be that students could work at their own pace and would always have something to do.  I imagine this would be a big relief for you, I know pace and timing is the toughest thing for me with my inclusion classes simply because the range of learning levels is so vast.  I agree with your last statement about the funding being the biggest obstacle. 

Permalink Reply by Amber Riniker on April 21, 2013 at 6:53pm

Hi Laura. I cannot imagine being in a school without the technology that we have. We currently have two iPads per class, a SMARTboard, ELMO, and five classroom computers. I use them everyday. As a teacher, I see how beneficial they all are and think every classroom should should have them. I wish you luck with getting the technology you deserve. Have you considered grants? There are lots of technology grants out there that would help out. There are also Websites such as http://www.adoptaclassroom.org/.

Permalink Reply by Meghan Roop on April 18, 2013 at 2:38pm

I believe a one-on-one program would be beneficial, but not possible in my school or district. The budget is simply not there. The extent of my technology access is one teacher desktop, two student desktops, and an ELMO/projector that I have purchased myself. We have access to computer lab and netbooks once a week, if it is not a testing period. I tey havehink tablets would work best in our classrooms. They offer many different options for use and apps are quick and easy to download to the tablet to fit the needs of my learners.I do not think BYOT is an option. I teach in a public school which promotes free education. I am technically not allowed to require my students to bring their own notebooks and pencils. I would not be allowed to require a device. Furthermore, most parents would not allow their child to bring the technology to school. With training, I think teachers would be receptive to the idea of increased technology for learning. However, training is the key word. I think many would not incorporate technology as much as they could without training on the device. One-on-one devices could be used in many ways within my classroom. They can be used for centers, research, collabortation, writing, and the list goes on. The best part of one-on-one devices is the opportunity to bring creativity and excitement back to learning.

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