Mooresville Graded School District (MGSD) in North Carolina, USA, was in a tough situation that is all too common for districts across the country. Its student poverty ratio rose significantly from 2007 to 2011 because of the economic recession, and it was ranked 99 out of 115 school districts for per-pupil expenditure in the state. No less than…

Making a one-to-one computing program work calls for more than just placing a computer on everyone's desk. It takes a complete transformation of learning and teaching. In this article, the author shares a few lessons she learned on the path to one-to-one success. (Contains 3 online resources.)

Grey Culbreth Middle School in North Carolina did not have enough computers to give students reasonable access to the Internet, so administrators implemented a one-to-one iPod touch program. Now every student is connected. This article describes the implementation of this program, the problems encountered and the positive reactions from the staff.…

Adobe Youth Voices (AYV) is a global educational program sponsored by the Adobe Foundation, the philanthropic arm of software maker Adobe. The education-based initiative teaches underserved kids aged 13-18 how to use digital media to comment on their world, share ideas, and take action on the social issues that are important to them. The AYV…

A defined collaboration, such as a Professional Learning Community (PLC), can help expand a one-to-one program. In this article, the authors discuss four factors to consider in starting a collaborative approach at one's school: (1) school climate; (2) communication; (3) collaboration; and (4) progression of use.

As changes in federal funding spell the end of the network of Regional Technology in Education Consortia (R*TEC), the authors, who are staff members of the Advanced Learning Technologies project at the University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning, discuss resources left in R*TEC's wake. Many of these resources are still available and can…

A recent survey of 74 building-level school administrators in Indiana challenged many of the assumptions regarding 1:1 laptop initiatives and how 1:1 access would affect teaching and learning. It also revealed disturbing realities regarding instructional practices of teachers, as well as efforts to improve school technology integration. The intent…

With no specific state or federal mandates to districts to maintain comprehensive technology infrastructure, how do districts, in the face of mounting financial pressures, continue to build and maintain their networks, integrate their systems, and expand their resources in a way that is reasonably "budget-proof?" In this article, the…

School districts often struggle on how to close the digital divide. Digital divide represents students' equity in learning opportunity and productive participation in society. Some schools have this mistaken notion that the problem on digital divide could only be solved by merely providing students with more access to technology. However, the…

Personal digital assistants (PDAs, also known as handheld or palmtop computers) are, in this author's opinion, the next great step in educational technology. The educational community has spent countless hours and dollars on providing desktop or laptop computer access to PK-16 students. Most students now have some experience with the Internet,…

For the last year the authors have been gathering examples of how perceived "threats of security" are hampering the integration of technology in teaching and learning. They hope that educators will examine both the challenges of increased security demands and ways in which security might enhance, rather than detract from, the use of technology for…

Considers five distinct issues that must be addressed in order to integrate technology into schools and plan for it effectively: infrastructure, including the National Information Infrastructure; professional development for teachers; content and software, including cost effectiveness; equity and access; and financing. (LRW)