Thoughtful Problem #11

1. Busy administrators and lay people (non-technically trained) usually prefer to read a 1-page summary of a technology report. If they have a special reason or interest, they may read the entire document. Your goal is to get them to read at least the 1-page summary. Our Thoughtful Problems have been designed to train you in the preparation of a logically-organized 1-page statement or explanation.
2. Choose a technology topic that interests you. Imagine that your superintendent has requested a report from you on this topic. In 3-5 paragraphs write a clear explanatory report. The report may concern a proposal for a new project, a progress report on a problem like poor network bandwidth, or a status report on a project like a one-to-one computer implementation or technology staff development program. The emphasis in this Thoughtful Problem is the clarity, explanation and persuasion that may be necessary for the report to be effective. Keep in mind that the report may be given to each school board director or to newspaper and television reporters.

Response:A report on one to one computer implementation in a middle school.
This report conveys the impact of one to one computer implementation on the students. Reviewing Formative and summative revolution through qualitative and quantitative methods we got a clear evidence of this program. The goal of the program was the overall development in all subjects.
Different students and teachers survey results show that this program has had a substantial impact on their instruction. Students’ attitudes and perceptions has been changed after the laptop integration. Students are very excited and involved in study more than ever before. Survey results show that their writing skills have been developed and their technology skill has been developed undoubtedly. Teachers have developed technology skills after attending in workshops and through other professional development. Their teaching has been effective than ever before. Teachers’ reports show increase in students motivation, attendance and class participation, particularly for at risk students. Compared to previous grades in different subjects, after technology implementation and full fledged laptop utilization, students’ grades in all subject areas have been improved. Laptop initiative in grade 6-8 enhances students’ motivation, facilitates group work, helps to analyze data immediately during lab exercise, helps to conduct scientific investigation in the field rather than in the classroom. It inspires students’ creativity through projects and presentation. It is a shift to student centered classroom and develop a sustainable academic achievement. Therefore,it has a positive impact on students’ learning and achievements.
Drawbacks: Some teachers express that they need direct technical support for their laptops in a daily basis. Majority of teachers suggests that the lack of technical support on a regular basis really hinders the potentiality of laptops. Sometimes students’ misbehavior concerning misusing laptops is prohibited from the use of laptops and that affects students learning. Equity issue, possibilities of theft, vandalism and accidental damages are the greatest concern that should be taken care of. Added costs of hardware, network costs, technical support conditions and faculty training are the greatest obstacles.
As one to one Laptop program is new and in progress, equitable access, costs, security are challenging for this school. Narrowing Digital divide and digital disconnect are the solution for this problem. When student has high speed access to a digital assistant at school and at home, their research, writing, calculations, presentation, problem solving are likely to be better organized. Similarly,high quality professional development should get first priotity, it can develop world of possibilities for instruction and self guided learning. The bottomline is that even though the evaluation of this program conveys a positive impact on students' overall achievement, but still there is a lot of potentiality exists in this program regarding students' progress.