K-12 Computing Blueprint News - November 2008

Welcome to the September issue of the K-12 Computing Blueprint newsletter. This newsletter and the K-12 Computing Blueprint site are brought to you by Intel and Tech & Learning. If, for any reason, you do not want to receive this monthly eNewsletter, please visit your custom subscription management page (the link is at the bottom of this email), and feel free to unsubscribe to this mailing. .

“It takes 20 years for a new idea to become an overnight success.” This quote, which I heard years ago from Paul Saffo of the Institute of the Future, is still one of my favorites.
For early adopters and industry watchers alike, the steps towards adoption of a new technology or approach often seem painfully slow. The journey from the first 300-baud dial-up modems to today’s high-bandwith connections, from monochromatic text-only screens to media-rich digital environments took approximately 20 years – years during which skeptics challenged both the feasibility and the wisdom of putting such “extravagant” and “unnecessary” tools into the hands of young people.
Of course, now that Internet browsers, search engines, MP3 players and a variety of other handheld devices, wiki encyclopedias, streaming video, blogging, and social networking are a widespread reality, it’s becoming hard to remember a time when they were not a part of our lives. That’s because, as Malcolm Gladwell puts in his book by the same name, we’ve passed “the tipping point” – the "moment of critical mass, the threshold, the boiling point … at which the momentum for change becomes unstoppable.”
Are we nearing that tipping point for one-to-one technology? Colleges and universities have certainly reached – and passed – that point by now; students are expected to have daily access to computers and the Internet in order to register for classes, pick up and turn in assignments, conduct research, communicate with professors and classmates, and much more. And many educators feel that K-12 schools are not far behind.
Do you agree? That’s the question we are asking in this month’s Quick Poll. And it’s one of the many questions that we address as we talk to districts across the country and look at data from sources such as America’s Digital Schools 2008.
As Tom Greaves, co-author of the ADS report, will explain in our November 18th webinar, “1:1 implementations are now relatively widespread. With 27.1% of districts reporting their involvement in 1:1 computing [and 13.2% more planning to implement 1:1 in the next two years] this trend has moved into the mainstream, especially since the ADS definition of 1:1 is fairly strict—at least a full grade and no mobile carts." How new is this phenomenon? Well, according to Greaves and ADS co-author, Jeanne Hayes, although they started very gradually, "1:1 implementations have been around for at least 20 years." Hmm. Interesting number.

-- Judy Salpeter, Editor

Take the Poll
Do you think we’re reaching the tipping point? Do you see 1:1 computing – with every student and teacher having ongoing access to a personal computing device for educational purposes – as inevitable and desirable or an unrealistic dream? Take this month’s Quick Poll and let us know what you think.

November 18: Webinar on One-to-One Data, Metrics and Results
What are we learning from the schools and districts all over this country that have invested in one-to-one computing programs? Who else is planning to join them and what results are they hoping to see? How does one track the effectiveness of a technology-rich program and build in metrics that allow school leaders to modify and improve upon it? These are the sorts of questions that will be addressed in “One-to-one: Data, Metrics and Results” -- a free webinar taking place on Tuesday, November 18 at 4 pm ET. Our presenters – Tom Greaves, co-author of America’s Digital Schools, Dr. Kelly Shapley, evaluator of the Texas TIP program and Fred Morton, superintendent of Henrico County Public Schools in Virginia – represent three different perspectives on this important topic. You won't want to miss what they have to say. Sign up for this free webinar today.

Apply to be an Intel School of Distinction
Each year, with help from generous sponsors such as BrainWare Safari, Computer Technology Link, Dell, DyKnow, eInstruction, Inspiration Software, Microsoft, PASCO, Scantron, SMART Technologies, Spectrum K12 School Solutions, and Trillion, Intel honors exemplary elementary, middle and high schools for their excellence in science and math education. You can learn more about the 2008 winners and view photos of this year's awards ceremony at the K-12 Blueprint web site. Better yet, you can apply to be a 2009 School of Distinction!
Is your school or district doing great things in the areas of math and science? If so, we encourage you to enter the 2009 program. Applications are being accepted now at the Intel web site.

Headlines

The Keys to a Successful One-To-One Launch
Blogger Elizabeth Helfant shares thoughts about getting off to a good start.
Local Foundations Rescue an Aging Laptop Program
With help from three community foundations, Niles Community Schools in Michigan have the chance to strengthen and expand their one-to-one program.
Cleveland, Ohio, Middle School Launches Laptop Program
Monticello Middle School is piloting a laptop program that is scheduled to expand to all middle and high school classes in the district by 2012.
Former Microsoft Exec Starts One-to-One School in Washington State
A brand new public school program, with partial private funding, focuses on technology, math and science.

Become Part of the K-12 Computing Blueprint Community

Complete the Blueprint Questionnaire to tell us about your experiences with one-to-one computing. We will be selecting responses to share online at the K-12 Computing Blueprint site in the coming months as part of a new "Tips from the Field" feature.

Become Part of the K-12 Computing Blueprint Community

Complete the Blueprint Questionnaire to tell us about your experiences with one-to-one computing. We will be selecting responses to share online at the K-12 Computing Blueprint site in the coming months as part of a new "Tips from the Field" feature.

Email us today if you have suggestions, feedback, ideas or an interest in blogging for us.

About K-12 Computing Blueprint
K-12 Computing Blueprint, brought to you by Intel and Technology & Learning, is your resource for one-to-one computing. Whether you're already involved with one-to-one computing, considering moving in that direction, or simply interested in the impact of widespread technology use on students and classrooms, Intel's K-12 Computing Blueprint site offers a variety of valuable resources. Visit us to read case studies, learn about research reports, and keep up on recent news about laptop learning, other forms of ubiquitous computing, and K-12 ed tech issues including funding, curriculum, leadership and professional development.

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