Laptops for All: Using Technology to Go Beyond Traditional Curriculum

In this article a new york middle school had widely implemented the use of laptops in the classroom. The point was to showcase technology and fit it into the curriculum, not fit the curriculum into something that could be done with technology. As a result Mott Hall students focus on project based interdiciplinary research. Student work is graded with the use of a rubric. The rubric model ensures that student work meets standards but also that students are gaining insight into the topic of study.

I love the idea of project based learning. The idea that students might be able to integrate multiple subjects into one project, and that the project might actually be interesting and engaging for them is exciting. The excitement is somewhat dampened by what I have seen in local classrooms though. Students do the same type of research for every project and are bored. So bored that they blatantly check gaming sites, facebook and myspace, and grades for other classes. This is a poor implementation of technology. I hope that teachers can begin to implement technology in the way that Mott Hall is able but so far, I have seen only a feeble attempt at integrating laptops into the classroom.

Furger, Roberta. (November 1, 2001) Laptops for All: Using Technology to Go Beyond Traditional Curriculum. Edutopia. Last accessed June 8, 2008 from http://www.edutopia.org/laptops-all