Hearing our panelists present their cases for one-to-one and identifying problems associated with a one-one policy in place. I didn't even think about storage and charging! There are definitely a lot of headaches that go along with it, but I feel that the pros of a one-to-one school far exceed the negatives. The negatives surround appropriate use and maintenance for the most part (constantly changing technology being a huge issue- how do schools keep up financially?); the positives surround the limitless mounds of teaching resources that is at the fingertips of each and every student.
I've actually come across a study that states our memories our functioning using the process of remembering where to find information rather than funnel the information itself into our memories. How we learn and what we do with that information is important. Technology use in schools is imperative to ensure that the next generation is ready to deal with those jobs, that don't exist yet, that use technology, that does not yet exist, and face all the problems that go along with it.
We need to change how we learn, simply, because we are changing the way that we live. The pace at which change is occurring is profoundly rapid and we need to teach our students to learn how to adapt with the times. To do this, we need scaffold curious minds in our students and the use of technology will be necessary to do so.
**side bar** I am impressed to know that RRSD has had success with limited damages with the policy in place!
I think the thing with the 1-to-1 model is that it is rapidly going from something that is desirable to something that is necessary. Students have access to much of this technology anyway, but have very little instruction on how to use these powerful tools to their full potential and virtually none on how to use technology ethically and safely.
ReplyDeleteI'm also quite impressed (and kind of surprised) that Rolling River has had such success with low damage rates on their phones! Good for them. Maybe that'll help convince Brandon to adopt some sort of similar model ... >.>