Laptop Learning Initiative

Oliver Wendall Holmes once said, “A mind that is stretched by a new experience can never go back to its old dimensions.” In reflecting my Laptop Learning Initiative, Holmes quote articulates my feelings precisely…my mind has truly been stretched. After receiving our laptops we were provided training by technology experts, allowed to collaborate with other technology facilitators, as well as share the new knowledge experienced with our teachers and students. This instructional growth is vital if we are going to empower our “digital natives” to be prepared for life in the 21st Century. This instruction also provided a wonderful re-energizing experience for me.

“As your final assignment, due May 15, please update your blogs with a link to your best laptop based project (preferably Web 2.0)…Along with that link, I would like you to describe what it is and how the laptop helped you accomplish this. Share some changes in your work habits that the laptops inspired. Finally, give some thoughts on what kinds of training or initiatives you would like us to undertake as a group next year.”

My Best Laptop Project…

There have been may projects that have developed as a result of our laptop learning initiative. One podcasting project was a result of one of the coolest sessions. The technology facilitators traveled to Carteret Community College’s i tunes University to visit Patrick Keogh and learn about Podcasting with Audacity. There are so many possibilities for using podcasts…the sky is truly the limit. How to’s, review, remediation, acceleration, etc., etc. etc.! I feel we were only able to scratch the surface with our training. Hopefully we can return next year for more intense training, so we may become experts in podcasting.

One of the ways I incorporated podcasting was by letting students read Accelerated Reader books that can then be listened to by our ESL students or our lower level readers. Both the reader and listener have truly enjoyed this experience.

Another cool gadget that we were exposed to was the Garmin Etrex Legend GPS. Karen Creech, educator on loan from the NC Department of Public Instruction trained us on how to Geo cache. Did you know this is international hobby?? I think I could get into this. To view and actual video clip of geocaching, check out this site.

Before my training, Mrs. Gilpin, a fourth grade teacher at Morehead Elementary, borrowed the counties set of GPS’s to do a lesson on geocaching. This was right before Easter, so the teacher was integrating social studies into a fun Easter activity. She had a fifth grade class go out and hide easter eggs and record their coordinate locations. Then her fourth grade class plugged in the coordinates and used the GPS’s to go outside for a easter egg hunt to find the hidden eggs. The students had a blast doing this. I wish I had taken the geocache training prior to this lesson…it would have made things a whole lot easier. I’m a visual learner and don’t do well with manuals!

I was so excited after this workshop, I met with our school’s PTO and they agreed to purchase our school a class set of 25 Garmin Etrex Legend’s. We have just received them…so hopefully I will be providing training soon. It is awesome how these little gadgets can be integrated across the curriculum. I hope to do an enhanced podcast once we start using them.

Changes in my work habits…

My work habits have changed dramatically since I received my new laptop. I am able to take my laptop to conferences, use it to take notes at meetings, use it with a projector for staff development purposes and manage my schools website. It is also cool to be able to use it throughout the building. I love the flexibility!

Thoughts on projects for next year…

I would really like to learn more about:

• Enhanced Podcasting
• Geochaching
• Screencasting

Final thoughts…

In closing, I would like to thank Joe Poletti for his insight into the 21st century. He is always stretching our minds and challenging us with new experiences.