Teaching English in a Secondary School !

This another extract from the article: One to One Computing:Lesons learned, pitfalls to avoid

From: Education World web page.

WHY NOT GO ONE-TO-ONE?

Students love computers. Many districts are eager to keep up with others technologically. So why not put a computer in every student’s hands?

Some critics argue that too many schools emphasize technology over learning. Being able to surf the Internet or create an elegantly designed word processing document, they say, doesn’t mean that students understand math better or are better able to use critical thinking skills.

Others complain that laptops and handhelds distract from learning rather than enhance it. Rather than taking lecture notes, students are watching videos, surfing the ‘Net, or instant messaging friends and strangers. For some teachers, the resulting classroom management issues outweigh the benefits of one-to-one computing.

Lack of student and teacher training also is a concern. Often, students are given laptops and teachers are told to start teaching with them, when they themselves are new to the technology. With little training and a lot of administrative pressure, many teachers have students take notes in Word or surf online and call it technology integration. Laptops are expensive typewriters, and relying on the Internet for most (or all) of one’s research is risky. Without significant support for teacher training, the cost-benefit ratio of one-to-one computing rarely is justified.

The question arises, “Have studies shown unequivocally that one-to-one computing has a significantly higher impact on learning than the traditional lab or classroom center model?” For many districts, the financial commitment required to give each student a handheld, laptop, or tablet PC means looking carefully at each of the options to see if as much, or more, can be done with less. Are there ways to achieve educational goals with less risk and lower cost?