Managing a one-to-one laptop environment creates issues that are unique to the “anytime learning” philosophy.  Even with careful planning and informed implementation, questions and issues arise whenever a school implements a one-to-one laptop initiative.

I’ve listed just a  few issues GCHS has encountered in the initial stages of our one-to-one learning.  Please share your thoughts, your solutions, and any other comments you might have that will help our laptop initiative become an integral part of our students’ learning.

1.  How does (or should)  the school monitor Internet use when the students are not at school?

2.  What about student e-mail?  When and where is it appropriate?  If you truly embrace one-to-one learning, students need to utilize email in order to communicate with teachers, with each other, and stay informed about school issues and activities.

3.  How far does the school go to allow “personalization” of students’ laptops?  (games/widgets/photographs/etc.)

4.  What about personal responsibility and liability for damage to laptops?  While school insurance covers much of the cost of replacement or repair, how do schools fairly determine accidental damage vs. general deterioration or negligence?

5.  How can we insure that the laptop is an integral tool for learning, not just a glorified word processor?  What types of projects/activities can we incorporate so that students are truly taking ownership of their learning and become contributors (not just consumers) of the learning process?

During the 2007-2008 school year, Garden County Schools launched a one-to-one learning intiative. The district’s goal is to integrate and infuse technology into the curriculum with “anytime learning”: one student—one laptop. In the first stages of this intiative, teachers at Garden County High School received instensive training on their new MacBooks and the iLife Suite. On-going professional development, a 20-24 unit wireless mobile lab, and laptops for the upper classemen are the next steps to implement in order to create 21st Century skill opportunities and learning equity for GCS students. As GCS teachers and students explore and utilize the tools necessary for “anytime learning”, we hope to incorporate a Web 2.0 philosophy, focusing on the school’s vision statement.

The mission of Garden County Schools is to develop individuals who will meet the challenges of a global community.