Opinion Paper 1

The article “How to thrive – not just survive – in a one-computer classroom” was written by Glori Chaika in 2003. When the article was written seven years ago, I would have agreed that teachers could thrive in a one computer classroom, but I have now observed students in classrooms with a 1:1 student-computer ratio and have changed my opinion. In 2010, one computer per class does not sufficiently meet the technology needs of our students and does not keep them actively engaged in student-centered learning.

The article suggests daily or weekly assigned computer time. If I have 25 students in a class that meets 5 times a week for 50 minutes, each student would get 2 minutes of computer time per day or 10 minutes per week. While this scenario would allow for short, weekly, web-based projects or discussions, it would not allow for in-depth and internet-based projects, digital textbooks, meaningful online research, or collaborative online projects. The article “Notebook programs pave the way to student-centered learning” states that “notebooks help students use more problem-solving and critical-thinking skills” and “notebooks lead to higher quality work.”

Glori Chaika also suggests using an LCD projector to make the classroom computer accessible to all. This allows visual access to everyone, but does not allow the student to make choices about their own learning. This approach to a one-computer classroom allows for a more teacher-centered approach to education, but does not allow for a student-centered classroom in which the teacher is acting as the facilitator.

For students’ technology needs to be met, they need to have the opportunity to use the tools for themselves instead of merely seeing the technology being used. When students are given freedom of discovery and choices about their learning, they become actively engaged and the learning becomes student-centered. I do not believe that these conditions can be met in the one-computer classroom.

Chaika, G. (2003). How to Thrive - not just survive - in a one-computer classroom. Education World, Retrieved from http://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/tech/tech092.shtml.

Notebook programs pave the way to student-centered learning. (1999). THE Journal, Retrieved from http://thejournal.com/Articles/1999/04/01/Notebook-Programs-Pave-the-Way-to-StudentCentered-Learning.aspx?sc_lang=en&Page=1