TIGblogs - Emily Kornblut

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live the questions now

do you learn with a laptop?
If you think technology can help people learn, make your voice heard! The New York Times would like to believe that laptops are a barrier to learning because they don't directly contribute to a 19th or 20th century definition of "achievement". But those of us who have experienced learning with technology know that computers aren't the answer themselves, nor are they the sole problem when students "fail" to learn. Education is at a critical moment and needs holistic change - in the ways we teach, we learn, and the tools and resources we involve in the process. The reporter interviewed educational technology advocates for this article, but ultimately chose not to include their perspective in her story. If you are a teacher or student who feels that technology has had a positive impact on learning, please share your story! You can -leave a comment here -post your own blog entry -weigh in on the TIG discussion board -enter the Take Your Classroom Global! contest

May 4, 2007 | 12:45 PM

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	Matt May 4, 2007 \| 5:32 PM

Yes, I learn with a laptop I'm always amazed at how technology in education ends at the point where technology enters the classroom. Case in point is the NY Times article. In it, the reporter writes the laptops "...did not fit into lesson plans..." and so therefore the program is a failure. This indicates to me what Emily pointed out - retro-fitting laptops to meet existing measurement styles, teaching styles, and definitions. With the laptop should come professional development for educators to use the laptops to enhance their teaching, such as using TIGed to do an international collaborative project with a school in Central Asia. That takes strong leadership from administrators and the community to understand that the laptop itself is not the product, but part of the process for change in education.

	David Gibson November 27, 2007 \| 5:32 PM

Laptops are no more barriers to learning than pencils I remember in the early 1980's there was a funny article about when pencils were introduced into classrooms there were people who had major concerns about the disruption to education. There were dangers in all the details of the new technology (eraser dust, wood filings messing up the classroom, children losing a sense of respect for slate and markers, etc.) A laptop is a tool and of course if it is never turned on (e.g. if they were stacked up in front of the door they could be a fire danger) or if ehy are not used FOR learning and in particular for the AFFORDANCES they have for learning, then of course...blah, blah, blah, they may not assist learning. Computers are more and more ubiqutious in society but isolated and ignored in schools...but the day will come! Students and parents will expect it (or leave th system). Teachers will see that more can be done, and more powerfully done, with than without them (assuming that they too join the technology-using professionals among the teaching profession - and there are some GREAT ONES!

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