Earlham going 1:1?

First of all, what is 1:1? What I am referring to is an initiative to put a computer in the hands of each student attending the high school here in Earlham. That's right, all 9-12 students having their very own laptop to use 24/7 at school and at home. Quite a jump it may seem? Let's take a look at our current reality.

7 Years ago we committed to a tech refresh cycle of renewing teacher computers and computer labs every 3 years. Since that time we have adjusted the schedule to a 4 year cycle, with the idea that every 4 years our technology will be updated and our students will have at their disposal means to tap the vast resources available on the web today. Currently at the high school we have a ratio of 1 computer for every 3 students (computers designated as student use machines, this does not include teacher machines). We have one wireless lab for grades 9-12 with 20 machines and two stationary labs with a total of 46 machines between the two. When I visit other schools I know that our resources here are much better than others thanks to the lease renewal cycle.

This is our year to renew the high school lab, and since the fall I have been looking at different options - lease machines as we have in the past, do the things we have always done, or perhaps move in a different direction. That different direction is the 1:1 program. Are we making a difference in our current mode of operation? One can say yes, students are learning about the machines, but not really much beyond that.

I want our students to be consumers of the information, evaluating sources, analysing opposing views, synthesizing, and developing their own products. Creativity is an important piece of our world today. Can students be creative in a traditional sense - of course! But what type of student do we see in our classrooms today? The student of the digital age. If you want to know more, the best thing I can tell you to do is go to YouTube and search for "Shift Happens" or "Digital Natives" and wade through the different video/slideshow offerings that are there. Some of the statistics are staggering!

If we are to move this direction, it would take a paradigm shift in the thinking and approach to instruction in Earlham. To do this we MUST support our teachers through ongoing professional development. Working with folks that have expertise in the area, having these people come to our site to help our teachers develop new skills and instructional techniques. We have to use the technology as a tool to make the learning more rigorous for our students! Using the technology as a means of gathering information won't do this type of a commitment justice.

So, there you have it. I welcome your thoughts and hope this develops a rich conversation about the potential of this program for the Earlham High School!