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Laptops' Pros and Cons for Elementary School Students
According to the National Center for Educational Statistics, many people who have a stake in education are interested in just how much technology there is in the nation's elementary schools, and how that technology is being used. Schools are striving to help their students become technologically literate at a young age. So let's talk about advantages and disadvantages of using laptops for young kids.
Implementing laptop use in elementary school classrooms exposes a child to the technological culture. It is clear, that if students are introduced to laptop in early age they will be better prepared for the required use of laptops in high school and college; these students when in higher grades show better typing skills and familiarity with Internet use as compared to those that have never used laptops.
Using laptops for the purpose of note taking can be very beneficial, since a strong typist can record much faster than writing by hand. So in this time and age it is prudent idea to introduce laptops to children in the classroom, especially children in grades 3-12, to give them a head-start they need to keep up with changes in technology.
But, let's think about the cost. At several hundred dollars per unit. Laptops are too expensive for many public elementary schools. According to the study, done by UCLA Department of Education, software, internet connection, maintenance, and training costs must also be considered when budgeting for a laptop program.
Good news! Laptop use encourages enthusiasm in a child when it comes to learning. Young kids may equate the use of laptop with opportunity for entertainment, but this helps to increase the child's interest in learning. In addition, laptops can assist teachers to find online programs, which can be of interest to younger students.
But computer crashes can hinder teaching and learning. If replacements are not available, the classroom time is wasted. Allowing students to use laptops in elementary schools can eliminate the need for to spend time on fundamentals of computer training in later times.
Although, there is a growing concern about the safety of the electromagnetic fields emitted from wireless devices used by laptop computers, the great benefits of use of laptop such as the developing skills to stay organized cannot be ignored. Young students need to learn how to remember school work and do home assignments. It is a great idea to ask kids to return their home works via email and to participate in internet-based classes.
Also, not all students can have an internet connection at home. Even when a laptop is borrowed from schools, it can't be used for internet-based educational activities.
The question of security also has to be taken into consideration. Laptop computers are small and lightweight and can easily be smuggled out of school and stolen.
In the above paragraphs I have tried to cover pros and cons of having laptops in elementary schools but, some questions remain unanswered for myself. Questions such as:
When is the appropriate age for introducing young students to advanced computer technology?
Do you think professional teachers need to have good understanding of negative health affects of electronic teaching aids? How to continue teaching and make best use of valuable classroom time when technical problems make computers unavailable? Does it mean elementary school teacher has to be prepared with plan B in case something goes wrong with computers?
Should teachers discuss pros and cons of laptops with parents and prepare them for unexpected events?
When I visit my friends, I often see their one or two-year-old children play with educational software on little children’s laptops that gives feedback with exaggerated intonations (ex: good job!! try again), the visual and sound effect seems to play a big part and the kids seems to be very engaged and interested. I would say any age can be appropriate for the teacher to introduce technology to students. The most important issues are on how teachers organize the structure of the class, and how the materials are supposed be presented (the order of topics, time/pace of class, etc). Teachers should always try their best to stay current with what they are teaching and what effects it will bring to their students. When you are using technology in class, there should always be a plan B. In fact, I really do think teachers should prepare plan B for any lessons because unexpected events do occur occasionally. I think it’s always nice if the teacher can give out mini lessons for the parents (or ask them to come to class to learn with/support their kids) if possible. Technology can seem fun but it can also make people nervous or have negative attitude towards it. If we can create an environment that is less-stress and fun, letting people know that technology is to help them and not to frustrate them, then technology can be seen to enhance the experience of learning
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of using technology in the class, but I believe that laptops are not the best idea for all the kids for several reasons.
ReplyDeleteThe first reason is strictly financial, as it would be way too expensive to make sure that every student in a school has a laptop. It would be expensive to run the maintenance and other aspects of this type service too. Also, some schools in the less well off areas, such as intercity schools, may not be able to afford this, and if they can the technology they are able to afford will lag far behind, and in most cases be outdated.
Second I believe that a laptop can create distractions just as easily as it can create motivation. I know this from being a laptop user and zoning out periodically in class, because I was on my facebook. The control measures could be costly and could decrease the motivation that students have to use the specific piece of technology.
Finally, I believe that laptops are outdated. Yes, that is right. I think that laptops already lag behind newer technologies like the IPAD, which has a potential for use as a super textbook, as itunes could include english and history books on the ipad and the students could just dl the books and view them in the device. The interface is also easier to operate, and harder to break. Thus I believe that laptops are not a good solution for a classroom.
NO NO NO NO. I really don't think that giving students laptops will really increase learning. Students will have a difficult time concentrating on the learning goals at hand. Unless the IT system at the school is very sophisticated, students will work their ways with the devices. Students will be tempted to use the computers for inappropriate things. School districts have also been in trouble for misusing laptops to "spy" on students through webcams and other things.
ReplyDeleteNot everyone has access to the internet, so unless they're planning on hanging out at McDonald's (free wifi) they'll need to subscribe to mobile internet services.
I also agree with Serge that laptops are getting outdated. There are all sorts of newer and cheaper devices.
I also wouldn't want to make students responsible for laptops. It will become a HUGE liability.
Student without access to computers can have lab time after school if they need to use the computer or the school could come up with another system.
Despite the costs, the introduction to technology is a must as soon as possible. I was using a computer since I was three (Mac Classic) and our school was using them when I was in First Grade. We did typing and played games (once that we did not really notice were 'educational')
ReplyDeleteBut… do we need to give each student a laptop? Well if their homework is supposed to be done electronically (internet not withstanding) and they do not have a laptop then they should be provided one.
If they use their computes at home they will still spend the same amount of time NOT doing their homework on it than they will spend doing their homework regardless of who provided them the computer.
If the technology is necessary to the curriculum then it makes sense that they are provided what they need to participate in that curriculum.
Books that are taken home are in many ways just as much a liability as any laptop that is loaned out, and I am certain that over the next few years computers will turn into disposable devices (kinda sick).
The overall point is… the future is coming despite the present costs or concerns.
I agree with you @A.C. since I've had more issues with students who lose or destroy books than with those who might cause problems with a laptop.
ReplyDeleteAfter working in an school with a large group of low SES students, I felt that the laptop problem was actually the least of my troubles. I used the laptops with and internet textbook companion site and always had a backup plan when things didn't work well.
Some of the students with a little more techie skills were my helpers and peer tutors and got to feel important when I asked them to guide other students. The really fast students got to go to an additional site for enrichment that could eventually get them on the quiz bowl team. I always stood in the back of the class to see what what happening and had a good enough view to stop students off task. It makes sense to use the technology early ...as for microwaves; wouldn't you think that it's probably more of a problem that students have cell phones?
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ReplyDeleteThanks for your responds, dear all! I was surprised with results of last discussion in Dr. Write 5063 class last Wednesday, the 21st of April. "Electronic books vz traditional hard copy" lost with about 10:90% by the number of "disagree' and "agree" participants. And discussion was hot! Will see...
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