Technology+Integration

ISS have started, as of August 2008, implementing 1-1 MAC laptops in our High School in the first stage of our firm integration of technology into the curriculum. As part of this overall technology development plan, the Middle School received a pod of 25 MAC laptops to use around the school. We also have one Windows based PC lab (26 machines) which may be phased out over the next 5 yrs. This provides students now with skills using both Apple and Windows software. By August 2009, all grade 9 students will be expected to have their own MAC laptop for HS use. Does anyone have any advice on this implementation? Looking at timelines, what to expect in the Middle School in the future (there is a lot of talk as to whether implementation should be from ES up or HS down - we seem to be the meat in the sandwich!). Thanks.

KIS started their 1 to 1 program in the HS last year and this year with grades 7 and 8. It has gone smooth except a few severer issues and re imaging of the MACs. Our next step is adding the 6th grade. We are doing research currently about other schools that have their 6th grade learning in a one to one environment. We are a little worked about their maturity level with $1000 machines. We have decided that the ES will have laptop carts but not one to one at this point. The teachers and parents are very pleased with the move to one to one. If anything they want us to use it more and more. Robin Schneider Korea International School

GSIS has been a 1:1 laptop school since opening in 2006. We now utilize 1:1 laptops in grades 6-10. Some of the issues we are dealing with are: We have some challenges to ensure that we are engaging our students in technology infused learning experiences, and it appears that the majority of the PD and training needs to be for teachers and parents, not the students. Jason Cooper Gyeonngi Suwon International School
 * Students having to carry another bag along with their already extremely heavy school bag
 * Parents questioning whether laptops are really necessary in 6th grade - as a school we need to better educate our parents on the value of 1:1 laptops
 * Providing teachers with the necessary PD to enable them to use the laptops in authentic and powerful ways - how can it become more than an electronic page turner and note taker?
 * CD-rom and web-based text books vs tradtional text books
 * Helping parents to establish guidelines for laptop use at home
 * Spending money wisely on resoures and not getting caught up in expensive gadgetry