Laptop Computers: School Utilization and Student Achievement

1600 Words4 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Study on laptops being beneficial or distracting in classrooms

Laptop Computers: School Utilization and Student Achievement

It has become all too evident in today’s society that there is a need for a quality, successful education system. The need for skills in technology are also obvious. Schools across the nation are now trying to achieve both of these goals by providing a laptop computer to each student. Principal John Kozusko, an administrator at one such school claims, “It’s like a world apart. It’s changed the way teachers teach…the way they think about kids.” (Chute, 2000 ¶4) According to Speaker Rick Johnson of the Michigan House of Representatives, “Students have progressed from learning about computers to learning from them.” (Johnson, 2003,18) This paper will examine how laptops are being utilized in schools and the effect that they have on student achievement.

Participation

The movement to use laptop computers to provide a first-rate education to all students has quickly been spreading across the nation. Throughout the United States, Microsoft has counted more than 125,000 students and teachers at 800 schools participating in such programs. (Chute, 2000) In researching this topic, I have found documentation of programs in elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools in a number of different states. These states include, but are not limited to, New York, Maine, Pennsylvania, California, Michigan, and Texas.

Some schools fund the program on their own, often starting with a pilot program and expanding as funds become available. (Seeing is, nd) Others collaborate with corporations such as Microsoft and Netschools. (Chute, 2000) Additional funding has come from sources such as business donations, personal monies, federal funds, and bond money. (Corcoran, 2002)

Laptop Usage

The cases described throughout this paper all include schools that provided laptops for students and/or teachers so that the student to computer ratio was 1:1. As stated above, for some schools this was done with a pilot group, while other schools provided computers to all students. Students are then required to bring their laptop to class, ready to use, just as they must bring their textbooks, pencils, and other necessary materials. (Chute, 2000) They are also responsible for charging the battery for their computer and transporting their computer to and from school on a daily basis. How the computer is equipped varies depending on the make of the computer and the operating system and firewalls set up by the schools.

Show More
Related

  • Analysis of Unplugged: The Myth of Computers in the Classroom, Article by David Gelernter

    755 Words  | 2 Pages

    While admitting the power of technology, he also points out the adverse effects of excessive use of technology in the education system. He states, “Computers make our worst educational nightmare come true” (279). According to him, improper or overuse of computers hinders learning ability. He reports that over the past few years, computers have been assumed to be a necessity in America’s classrooms and introduced to children from elementary levels. However, technology can be addictive, and students may overuse it, leading to a drop in educational standards.

    Read More

  • Summary Of In Defense Of The Igeneration

    1182 Words  | 3 Pages

    Many people argue that by using laptops during lectures, students are able to actively participate in the class and they have better communication with the professors despite large class sizes (Fried, 2008, p.2). Through classroom resources such as university and course online platforms, students are able to access the information they are learning about in their lectures. However, students themselves also have a very particular view on this topic, as they are very protective over their belongings and do not want to have their laptops banned from the classroom: “more and more faculty are banning laptops from their classrooms because of perceptions that they distract students and detract from learning,” (Fried, 2008, p.1). Prohibiting the use of laptops in university classrooms is becoming a more common solution to multitasking and student distraction. Universities enforce this regulation in order to prevent distraction and multitasking from impacting a students and surrounding student’s academic

    Read More

  • 21st Century Classrooms - Annotated Bibliography

    1083 Words  | 3 Pages

    Argues that we must do more to ensure that computers are fully integrated into all our schools. Suggestion that there is no limit to the possibilities of computers; Topic of distance learning; Ways that the Internet can make schools more effective; Call for schools to develop innovative budgeting to acquire the funds for te...

    Read More

  • Technology In The Classroom Research Paper

    1229 Words  | 3 Pages

    Almost everyone attends a school at one time in their life, whether the classroom includes technology or not. Research shows that technology isn’t used as often as one might think. The article, “High Access and Low Use of Technology in High School Classrooms” illustrates the use of technology by stating that only one in ten elementary and middle school teachers are daily users of computers (Cuban, Kirkpatrick, Peck). Most schools now have classrooms that use technology throughout the entire class time and even at home to do homework. Although some people might agree with the use of technology in class, it is more harmful to the students than useful.

    Read More

  • The Pros And Cons Of Performance Enhancements In Sports

    1236 Words  | 3 Pages

    It is true, of course, that performance enhancements can increase athletic ability, including stamina, strength and overall competitiveness. This puts an athlete at a competitive advantage over their competitors. Altitude training being one of many enhancements in sport is used to increase lung capacity, as well as increase training intensity. While at high altitudes the human body naturally increases the levels of erythropoietin, which is a chemical that releases red blood cells in the body. Red blood cells carry oxygen to the muscles, therefore increases oxygen levels in the muscles. Many people may not be aware of the serious dangers, and inconsistent, unpredictable results that accompany this enhancement. There are many possible outcomes of an athlete training at high altitude. One athlete may train at high altitude for months on end while following the suggested training, not have any symptom more than a headache, and return to sea level becoming a more valuable competitor. Another athlete could train following the same guidelines and be seriously ill, therefore not being able to train, reversing the purpose of altitude training. In fact adjustments to high altitudes are extremely difficult. Weight loss is unav...

    Read More

  • Facebook: The Pros And Cons Of Social Media

    1551 Words  | 4 Pages

    Founded by Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook has connected multiple individuals across the world and even reunited some people with family members. Zuckerberg never imagined Facebook would grow so dramatically and have the impact it does on individuals across the world. Facebook allows it’s users to update statuses, upload photos, post videos, and even instant message others. For example, if some teenagers were at a shopping mall, they could update their status to let others know they were shopping. They could even post pictures in their favorite stores. This all could happen within only a few seconds. Today, more than nine-hundred people use Facebook monthly (Pros 2013). That number is continuing to grow. More specifically, fifty-seven percent of American adults use Facebook. In addition, seventy-three percent of teenagers are Facebook users (King

    Read More

  • Computer Technology in the Classroom

    1102 Words  | 3 Pages

    Not many people would argue that computer technology is bad for the K-12 classroom. There is, however, a serious and thought-provoking debate going on regarding computer technology in the classroom. At issue is to what extent and at what age should computers be integrated in American classrooms. There is no question that a certain level of technology will bring improvements in academic achievement. In one study on children of low socioeconomic status a definite improvement was seen. It was noted that, “Increasing the technology available to students encourages, facilitates, and supports student achievement – at the elementary level, the most profound effects were found in the area of mathematics” (Page 391). Page also states that, “numerous studies have demonstrated that young children’s self-esteem or self-concept directly affects their academic performance” (Page 391).

    Read More

  • Benefits of Technology in the Classroom

    1820 Words  | 4 Pages

    Do you ever think about how much technology has changed the way we work, learn, play, and even think? Technology is a major beneficiary to society; especially in the classroom where we get the opportunity to learn and grow. In recent years, schools have begun implementing tablets and other devices in the classroom to better student’s education. The use of technology in the classroom provides more of a personalized learning experience and gives students a widespread availability to engage in learning. Technology is necessary in today’s modern globe, it is basically “the pen and paper of our time and the lens through which we experience much of our world” (Warlick, 2013). Technology is not just considered the “internet”, it is so much greater than that. Overall, it enhances the quality of education and engages students deeper than ever before. With all the significant gains, why would people argue that technology hinders students more than it helps? Critics may try to repute the use of technology in the classroom but I believe what really matters “is the way we use it, the context that we use it in, and the learners who we use it for” (Chong, 2012).

    Read More

  • Persuasive Essay On The Benefits Of Playing Tennis

    1101 Words  | 3 Pages

    Tennis is played by many professionals all around the world. For professionals, such as Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, and many others, there are four grand

    Read More

  • computers in classrooms

    571 Words  | 2 Pages

    With the rapid growth of technology in America’s society today, the use of computers in school classrooms has increased tremendously—an action that certainly has become beneficial to students, educators, and parents. The use of computers has positively skyrocketed over the past ten years. Not only are computers utilized daily in large companies across the world, but the everyday use in classrooms has also become prevalent. Using modern technology to assist school instructors with his or her daily lessons should definitely be regarded as a positive, acceptable method of instruction and not definitely does not prohibit students from understanding or critical thinking.

    Read More

  • Persuasive Speech On Mobile Phones In Schools

    729 Words  | 2 Pages

    The use of cell phones in schools is one of the biggest issues being debated today since technology is growing more and more every day. Higgins discusses in his article that Datla, a sophomore says, “Using technology in everyday life is not that new to us because we grew up with technology.” The current generation has grown up using cell phones, computers, tablets, and many more devices their whole life. Some schools have installed free Wi-Fi so students can get high-speed Internet on their mobile devices, but it comes with a few rules. For example, the

    Read More

  • The Pros And Cons Of Computer Based Education

    1005 Words  | 3 Pages

    to perform menial tasks. With computers in school, students will be given the advantage of

    Read More

  • The Problems of Facebook

    374 Words  | 1 Pages

    The popular site, Facebook.com, has amassed more than one billion registrants since it started in February 2004. It is another social networking site, just like MySpace.com and Xanga.com, which is common to High School and College students. But this is no ordinary site; people’s lives literally revolve around Facebook. I have a Facebook account and log in at least once a day. I personally believe that Facebook is a fun and interactive site. However, some students may not feel that same way because they have encountered some negative aspects, aside from Facebook’s legal problems.

    Read More

  • Education and the Digital Divide

    2435 Words  | 5 Pages

    Andy Carvin states “ internet access in schools isn’t worth a hill of beans if teachers aren’t prepared to take full advantage of technology” (2000). Schools spend a lot of money on computer hardware and software as well as other technologies without realizing that many of their employees are unprepared to include them in their teaching and use them to their advantages. Educators often use technology as a classroom management tool rather than an educational one, allowing computer time as a reward for good behavior (Clark & Gorski, 2001). The problem with this is that students learn to use the computer for games and such because it is their reward instead of using it on their own time for educational purposes. This is teaching them the wrong idea. Margaret Honey, director of the Center for Children and Technology in NYC said it best, “The bottom line is, you don’t just put technology into schools or into homes and expect miracles to happen. The technology is only as good as the program that surrounds it” (Meyer, 2002, p.2).

    Read More

  • Importance Of Facebook

    1091 Words  | 3 Pages

    Nowadays, we are living in the “ technology world”, digital’s century, science and technology are being devolopped like a rain-storm, people try their best effect to serve for human’s infiniti demand. Internet in general and social network in particular are exceedingly funtional tools. Indeed, with over 1.3 billion active users in June,2014 ( Wikipedia), there is no suprise that Facebook has been becoming a leading social network in the world, “Facebook was not originally created to be a company. It was built to accomplish a social mission - to make the world more open and connected” – CEO of Facebook: Mark Zuckerberg (google). Facebook truthly brought many useful; however, it is still “ a double-edged sword”.

    Read More

More about Laptop Computers: School Utilization and Student Achievement

Open Document