Journal 8 - Choosing the Perfect Tools for One-to-One

Bouterse, Brian, Jenifer O. Corn and Elizabeth O. Halstead. (Aug 2009). Choosing the Perfect Tools for One-to-One.
Learning and Leading with Technology, Retrieved Aug 3, 2009, from
http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Publications/LL/
Current_Issue/L_L_August.htm

This article looks at the process of selection of portable devices for instruction in what is called a one-to-one learning mode. Individual students have part or full time access to a small computer for project or annual use. There are six critical issues discussed for proper selection of tools for your district’s use. The six considerations are: Purpose (single or multi-purpose); Operating system; Applications (installed or web-based); Content storage (local or web-based); Peripheral usage (compatibility and availability); Robustness against wear and tear; and Additional considerations (Total cost of ownership issues-such as training and installation costs).

Question 1: What role is there for instructors for purchasing one-to-one learning tools for a school?
Answer 1: It seems that since students are the end users of any technology of this sort and teachers know their students’ skills and abilities, I would think that any project of this sort would require close collaboration and input from instructors. The critical balance of having people who understand the strengths and limitations of the various systems, people who understand the skills and needs of the students and people who understand the political and economic environment of the district would be very important for starting and maintaining a program like this.

Question 2: How are these tools being used?
Answer 2: A school system I volunteer in has a new computer cart set-up for this one-to-one type of learning. Strangely enough this is in an upper middle class neighborhood and the cart is a very new addition. This type of technological use is still very rare. Few teachers have training in their use and fewer teachers use them often. The one long session I observed them being used, the instructor kept students in groups of four and had them experiment with modification of sound files in a music program. I wasn’t sure if this was to save getting out too many computers or whether it was intentional to force collaboration (There did seem to be a bit too much tussling over who got to control the buttons). This technology is still something that needs to have more instructors get trained in their use, and the small sub-laptop size computers seemed to be not up to the task of extensive work projects. I believe that these computers were from a grant from H.P., and the district had little control over the platform or size of computers.