1-1+Thoughts+and+Links

Jeff Mao from Maine. ISTE presentation.

//**Stillwater Area Schools Ends One Each Laptop Program in Jr. High**,// article that summarizes the life of a 1:1 laptop program. Published Sunday, July 25 in the Pioneer Press. Worth a look at.

http://www.twincities.com/ci_15589355?IADID=Search-www.twincities.com-www.twincities.com

Of course, the bottom line for all investors in a 1:1 program is if it will improve student achievement. I found this comment in the article interesting...

//A University of Minnesota study released in 2008 found that laptops at the two junior high schools improved teaching, learning and student engagement. But researchers could not determine whether laptop access improved student achievement on standardized tests.//

Teaching, learning and student engagement improved. Are the standardized tests measuring the outcomes of a technology rich environment?

//[|Going One to One]//
I think this article complements the article about Stillwater Area Schools. It addresses the test scores - seems like Maine and California found the same thing.

//Higher test scores. Although there are undoubtedly exceptions to the rule, laptop programs in general have not had any appreciable effect on student test scores. The strongest evidence related to this statement is the state of Maine, where achievement test scores (already among the highest in the nation) failed to rise in the first two years of the state's laptop program. One of the most impressive school laptop programs we examined in California similarly showed no gains in test scores beyond what the same students had achieved in previous years without laptops.//


 * However, the article goes on to discuss many more reasons to go to a one to one program.** //Check out the link above to read more and send your thoughts!//

//**Resource Possibility related to 1-1 Professional Development**// from [|Maine]- after following a link by Francie to the Maine site, I found a link to [|podcasts]in iTunes and [|webinars]they have created for their professional development.


 * 1 Student, 1 laptop proves costly**

This article from the Minneapolis Star Tribune discusses sustainability of 1:1 laptop programs. Much of the content is similar to previous articles on this topic. What I found interesting were the comments from readers. There appears to be intense emotion regarding this topic.