Those interested in purchasing a laptop and accessories that the freshman are getting this year contact Dan Otto, , Gateway Michigan Education & Government Account Executive, at;
Daniel.Otto@Gateway.com
or
(800) 211-4952 X 25374
We were able to have two parent meetings to explain the PUL program and get feedback. The meetings were on July 10 and 16. These were optional meetings and we had a pretty decent turnout with about 50 people each time.
Here is the powerpoint that was shown at these meetings.
Pennfield Schools has chosen the Gateway M265 computer for the Power Up Learning (freshman laptop) Program. We know that some of you preferred the MacBook and it is a good machine. In order for students to be working on the same system as the teachers and the other buildings we thought we should remain with the Windows operating system.
Now that we have a computer it is time to think about how we can use it in class. Please let us know how you think the laptop can be used in your classes next year. Let us know specific programs and/or websites you would like to see used for instruction. How will having a laptop change your school day?
Here is a great 30 second video that answers the question, why? This will be a great way to start your journey through this website.
Thank you to Panasonic for this video!
After you watch this, read this article on funding, it has a great bottom line.
Pennfield Schools is seriously considering beginning a one to one computer program for the freshman class of 2007-2008. These freshmen will be the first to enter our new high school, and the first required to meet the requirements of the Michigan Merit Curriculum. Moving into a new building that is technologically advanced can be a great advantage for Pennfield’s students, if we take advantage of all of the possibilities that the technology of the building offers. To do less would be wasting the money spent by the Pennfield community on this building.
Today’s students are very technologically literate. It is as much a part of their lives as television was to those of us who grew up in the 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s. It makes sense to try to provide technology to them as a tool for learning, especially in an environment that will be requiring more of them than any students in the history of Michigan. As Michigan continues to lose jobs in the automotive industry, our State is striving to be a techno-logical hub for the United States. We want Pennfield students to be at the center of that hub.
Although one to one computing is not prevalent in Michigan yet, it is being used in many other communities throughout the United States. Some school districts in Washington State have been successfully using this strategy for three years now. Pennfield will not have to invent this process. There are many districts that we can learn from to ensure that we get the appropriate professional development and day to day help for our teachers, that we have safe guards in place so students are using the technology appropriately, and that parents can know with certainty that this will be a positive situation for their students.
I am very excited about this prospect. School districts we have talked to who have implemented one to one computing tell us it has absolutely changed the culture of instruction in a very positive way. The students enjoy more learning success and teachers enjoy more teaching success. Please feel free to look more closely at this web site to learn more about one to one computing.
This site has been created to post information, research, links and updates on the Pennfield One to One Freshman Laptop program. We have been trying to come up with a catchy name for the program and came up with “Power Up Learning”. It does describe the concept. By giving every student access to the tools and support a laptop can provide, we are “Powering Up Learning”.
We know there are a lot of questions, concerns and issues that surround this type of program but there are also a lot of possibilities. We hope this site will help to shape the program we are about to begin.
One question or comment that we hear a lot is “How many other schools are doing this type of thing?” A very valid question. Below is a quote from Americas Digital School’s, Five year Forcast
Closely connected to the above is the move toward ubiquitous, or 1:1 computing (defined as each student and teacher has one Internet-connected wireless computing device for use both in the classroom and at home). Ubiquitous computing, where every teacher and student has his or her own computing device that is not shared with others, is very different from temporary 1:1 solutions, such as those provided by computer carts.
In 2003, QED reported that 4% of U.S. school districts had started 1:1 implementations. ADS 2006 indicates that more than 24% of school districts are in the process of transitioning to 1:1 – a large jump in a market htat is known to take a cautious view of change.
All you have to do is search Google for 1:1 computing and you will find many results.
Make sure you check out the link entitled “Article on Maine Program with Videos”. It has a lot of good information.
Feel free to leave comments to these posts. What do you think of the name?