Because our junior high & high school (7-12) is innovative and provides some of the best opportunities for student learning, we have 1:1 laptops. Community members have asked me how I have students use computers in the classroom and if it is "worth it". That leads me to wonder what it would be like to teach English without computers, and I know if that were the case, I could not teach my students at the level they are at now without computers.
If one considers about how much students grow in their writing abilities through the online writing exchange, it is shocking. They have an audience and their very own writing mentor from UNL. I would not be able to give almost 60 students the same attention they receive from their mentors. This is all completed online through Google Docs where I can monitor it. This mentorship takes my students through the writing process after drafting, so they have to analyze their own writing before submitting it to their mentors and then revise based upon the feedback they receive. They are acting as true writers! This experience is incredibly valuable for 8th grade students who are exploring several different writing modes.
Using a computer to type writing also teaches students MLA formatting, which they will use in high school and college. When typing their writing rather than handwriting it, they can revise much easier because in my classroom, students don't do "one and done" essays; they are expected to revise and proofread after the first (and possibly second, third...) draft.
Because argument writing using credible evidence is a valued skill, the computers help tremendously. Understanding what a credible source is, how to find it, and how to comprehend it are essential thinking skills students must develop. Being able to use Nebraska Access has been helpful to students. When I think about trying to go to a computer lab and the amount of time it would take, it seems like it would be such a waste. Students who have their own computers have easy access to professional articles, they can download them and highlight them right on their computer, then refer back to them in an efficient manner. It's impressive to watch students seem befuddled when they first start using Nebraska Access to seeing them use it with confidence in just a couple of days.
The final step of the writing process is to publish one's work. I think it is essential for students to share their writing with individuals other than their teacher. In 8th grade, students post their work on their individual blogs. This raises their level of awareness because most don't want to put something out in the world that is not of high quality. I do give students the option to not post a piece if the writing is something very personal and this is part of considering audience - what's appropriate and what isn't appropriate to post online? Publishing on the blogs gives students the opportunity to consider that question.
I still use some grammar worksheets, games, and written work in composition books for grammar, but using online programs like No Red Ink and IxL truly help solidify student learning. It gives them the online grammar practice that is intelligent enough to understand what students don't understand and need to practice more. The application and practice through online grammar sites are necessary for student learning. In addition, the testing students do for MAP and Nebraska State Tests are all online. I feel our students have an advantage because they are comfortable using online tools and testing.
Teaching students online etiquette is a process. Through the online writing exchange and doing activities such as commenting on one another's blogs gives students the chance to practice what is appropriate to share and post online. What better place to practice that than in an English classroom? This practice would not be possible if students did not have their own laptops.
I posted the above picture of a PSA one of my students is working on. 8th graders have to use Keynote and some of the cool tips and tricks learned from Mrs. Morrow to create their PSA. Then they have to move it to iMovie to add music and voiceover. As I watched students today, three things stood out to me: creativity, problem solving, and collaboration. Coming up with a message, a slogan, and a script & story board was HARD for some students. I think many are more comfortable with being told exactly what to do and exactly how to do it that they "freak out" when I have open ended assignments where they can be creative and can make more choices of their own. Being creative does not come easily for some, especially when they are very focused on doing it "right" and not on the process. Assignments such as this help students grow in more ways than one would think - not just in skills but in mindset. In addition, the problem solving I saw going on as we tried to remember or to learn how to do certain things in Keynote was so very valuable. There were curious minds at work in here today. Of course, a handful will do the bear minimum because they don't welcome challenges, but 98% of them were really trying to create a PSA they will be proud of while enlightening their audience. With all of the problem solving that was going on, I saw a lot of collaboration. Kids helping kids. Kids being the expert. None of this would be possible without laptops. And I believe creativity, problem solving, and collaboration are skills that will be coveted in the future when these students seek employment.
I know my students would be at a disadvantage if they did not have 1:1 laptops. I would feel like I'd be stepping back into the stone ages if I had to go back and teach without them. I've witnessed awesome growth in my students in so many ways. It would be a disservice to teach without them now. It's impressive how far we have come, and I'm proud to work at a school that supports such innovate efforts in the name of student learning.
