The 1:1 laptop initiative will put a laptop in the hands of every student to use 24/7 from the first day of school in the fall to the last day of school in the spring. This will open up a multitude of possibilities to extend learning beyond the textbook; beyond the 8:30-3:15 school day and beyond the limits and scope of MFL MarMac HS.
Almost all of the MFL MarMac HS teachers have gone on a visit to a school that has a 1:1 initiative. Here is a partial list of what they have seen;
1) More student engagement
2) More students creating projects instead of absorbing lectures.
3) Students communicating with "experts" through e-mail, blogs, skype and other digital methods.
4) More students doing research, doing much more writing, and doing many more presentations.
Many of the schools that started this have changed the way that learning takes place. Excitement at every school that I have seen is very high. Teachers are changing the way that they do business and students are more of a "partner" in learning than a vessel to "pour" knowledge in and hope that it stays.
We have many computers in the high school now. We have 3 full blown computer labs, 2 portable laptop carts, and 7 mini-labs in the school. All of these need to be maintained and periodically replaced. We have to choose whether to continue spending this money to replace these labs or to shift the cost to a laptop for every student.
We are now getting cost estimates form both Apple and PC companies. I will know more about the cost then, but I do know that before the School Board decides to do this or not, our Superintendent will make sure that the school can afford this.
Area schools that have already started this initiative are Clayton Ridge, South Winneshiek, North Winneshiek, And Valley. Planning to start next year are Ed-Co and Allamakee. Postville is starting a discussion. Many schools across the nation have done this including the state of Maine that has this mandated for all schools.
Once again, I invite all students, parents and community members to go to my blog; berryedblog.blogspot.com. Feel free to leave comments. I would also be very happy to come and discuss this with any group that is interested in learning more.
