Lincoln Charter School has brought a new meaning to the idea of one-on-one learning.
In November the school handed a laptop to each high school student, and teachers have been working to build the technology into the classroom culture.
“It’s a really good resource,” junior Ryley Harbour said. “Sometimes I’ll go online to get some extra practice or get another perspective on a subject.”
The one-to-one initiative aims to increase classroom productivity, improve student organization and familiarize students with technology.
Since the school introduced the laptops to the classroom, students say they have better grades, improved organization and a more flexible homework schedule.
“It’s easier to keep track of your papers,” ninth-grader Alyssa Smit said. “It’s a lot easier for homework, and as long as it’s charged I can still do it on the bus.”
Alyssa said she also likes the instant feedback from some of her online assignments. “It tells us right away if it’s right or wrong,” she said.
Ryley had been taking some online classes at the school already, but he said he’s glad to see the technology moving into his other classes.
“The teachers are doing a really good job of integrating their lesson plans,” Ryley said.
And the change has been as much a transition for the teachers as it has for the students.
Dane Perry, who teaches ninth-grade world history, said it’s been a trial-and-error process for finding what works and what doesn’t.
“There’s a lot of good stuff available,” Perry said. “We have to make sure the kids are able to use it, but there are so many types of activities we can do.”
And overall, Perry said, the computers are helping considerably.
“I’ve seen a lot more students on task during activities,” he said. “It’s easier for them to use computers, since it’s what they’re used to.”
Alyssa said she’s faster at typing than writing, so taking notes in class is easier.
The school voted Dec. 15 for homecoming, and those votes were cast over the school-issued laptops, “which was really cool,” she said.
The computers and the school’s online network also make it easier for students to keep track of their grades and assignments.
“I can go online and check my grades without having to schedule time to talk with the teacher,” Alyssa said.
The school blocks websites like Facebook, but Ryley said he doesn’t find much time to stray from the lesson plan.
“Sometimes, but the teachers are doing a good job of watching,” Ryley said. “They know if you’re goofing off.”
A $150,000 grant from the Timken Foundation, as well as $50,000 from the school’s Parent-Teacher Organization, paid for the school’s 363 laptops. Along with teacher computers and those already in the school, Lincoln Charter now has about 825 computers total, and has SMARTboards in almost every classroom.
Students will have the computers at all times until summer break, when the laptops will be collected and prepared for the next year.
The laptops haven’t completely changed the classroom. Alyssa said her tests are still mostly handwritten. But she thinks her experience with the computers in the classroom will help her in the future.
“I might like to own my own business one day, and I’d like to take online classes in business,” she said.
December 22, 2011 at 8:42 pm
Its vital now that they ensure their classrooms are more interesting to students than their laptops. The natural additions to the classrooms would be Interactive Whiteboards, Document Cameras & Audience responders.
It can drive the classroom towards a whole new level of learning.