Initiatives+to+Address+Needs

 graphic from: [] __Initiatives to Address Needs __ Addressing the technology needs of a school or district should begin with a pre-assessment. By first determining what the needs are you can then proceed to evaluate those needs, determine a plan, and then look at the pros and cons of the plan and its affect on student achievement. By doing some research you can discover what has already been done and what the results were. You may be able to identify and thus avoid, pitfalls that had befallen others who have implemented a similar plan. Another important factor to consider is the funding that will be needed to implement the initiative. By researching what is available and thinking about what the needs of your staff and students are, you can make informed decisions about the hardware and software that is needed. Ultimately our goal for technology needs to be the same as with any other area of the curriculum; improving student achievement. This technologyinitiative will help improve student achievement across the board. Many districts across the nation are jumping in with both feet and funding a 1:1 student/laptop initiative. One such school in Texas was discussed in the article written in __//the Journal.//__ The article stated that "Inadequate professional development is one reason some 1:1 initiatives have, over time, failed to live up to high expectations" to address this, the Grand Prairie, Texas school district "wasn't taking any chances with its 1:1 laptop initiative. Having read the statistics and heard the feedback from districts whose own 1:1 investments had yet to live up to expectations, this Grand Prairie, TX-based district incorporated an additional element into its project by also implementing a digital learning platform designed to help teachers maximize laptop use in the classroom." (see [|Making the Most of a 1:1 Laptop Initiative]) Below are the "pros" and "cons" of laptops in the classroom as supported by research:

__The "Pros" and "Cons" of Laptops in the Classroom: __ whole class lessons with all students being able to practice during the lesson. [|Making the Most of a 1:1 Laptop Initiative] || Can sometimes be a distraction for other students. || "Laptop Computers in the K-12 Classroom", ||  || Education World ||  || Allows for a feeling of empowerment for students as they become more responsible for their learning. Does Laptop Use Improve Student Learning?, ||  || 
 * PROS || CONS  ||
 * <span style="color: #0000ff; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">Easily moved around the classroom. || <span style="color: #0000ff; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">Can be very expensive for initial purchase of equipment and training as well as maintainence and upgrades. ||
 * <span style="color: #0000ff; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">If there is a 1:1 ration of students to laptops, teachers are able to conduct
 * <span style="color: #0000ff; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">Increased student involvement and interaction. || <span style="color: #0000ff; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">Requires increased monitoring by teachers to ensure that students are using them appropriately. ||
 * <span style="color: #0000ff; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">Provides students with a variety of tools and resources for learning. || <span style="color: #0000ff; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">Can be under utilized or misused in classrooms where teachers do not buy into their usefullness as a teaching tool. ||
 * <span style="color: #0000ff; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">Allows for differentiation of academic support depending on a student's needs. || <span style="color: #0000ff; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">Some teachers may take a "one size fits all" approach and neglect to use them a means of differentiating their instruction. ||
 * <span style="color: #0000ff; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">In this age of technology, students understand and respond to electronic delivery of instruction. It helps to excite them about learning. ||  ||
 * <span style="color: #0000ff; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">Increase student motivation as compared to schools that do not use laptops.
 * <span style="color: #0000ff; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">Provides computer and internet access for students who may not have these technologies at home.
 * <span style="color: #0000ff; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">Provides students an opportunity for critical thinking, problem solving and developing research skills.

<span style="color: #0000ff; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">Links: <span style="color: #008000; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">Addressing Standards <span style="color: #008000; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">Table of Contents