One-To-One Wisdom
By Chris Cutler
Technology & Learning 26 no9, 30, 32 Ap 2006

This article discusses laptop computer programs that promote one to one learning. I found this interesting since we are building a new school and there was discussion about building a lab or just issuing each student a laptop. Needless to say, we built the traditional lab, but it is interesting to me to consider.

I also found it interesting that one director of curriculum and technology in a school using ibooks with each student suggests that technology expertise should not be an issue when involving teachers in this plan. They just need to be flexible and open to new ideas. Another school, Illinois Virtual High School, however, does require teacher tech skills as a prerequisite. One test is requiring submission of applications electronically as well as ISTE’s technology assessment test.

The best thing I learned from this article is not a new concept, but still struck me. The article suggests that having teachers use technology in their personal lives leads them to using it in the classroom. Not a great new concept, I mean we have long realized that teaching skills in isolation is not effective. The problem I see is that too often we have an in-service training session on “how to” do some technology aspect rather than integrating it into the teachers’ lives and having them learn from that.

I also found the advice to learn something new two to three times per year as beneficial when looking at library programs. There is so many tools and so much we could be doing that it can get overwhelming. The goal is consistent improvement though, and a few new things each year is a good pace.