Schools that embrace the technology era

[Bossanova]

Technology has come quite a long way over the past 20 years. From a time where it was strictly against the rules for any cell phones (which were still new at that time anyway) to be in the building, to a time where a lot of schools and teachers allow cell phones under certain circumstance (work is done, nothing else to do, etc).

While we're not yet at the time where schools allow students to bring their laptops, we are at a time where schools are embracing computer usage and going so far as to get the latest and greatest computer device to help their students. I read about a local school district that is most likely going to be getting Chromebooks for their students to use during class to look up spelling, answers if they need them, and various other things.

This is not the only school doing this. There are quite a few out there already doing it and some that are testing out the use of laptops, tablets, etc.

I'm curious if eventually, the classrooms will be 100% digital. It's odd to think about, but with the way technology is evolving, anything could be possible.

What is everyone's thoughts on this? Do you think it's better for schools to embrace the technology era, or is it better for the students to remain old fashioned?

 

[Pvcomputers]

I hear schools here in New Zealand are using iPads now. Not all school of course. We never had that at high school, which was over 5 years ago I think when I was at high school.

But might add that some schools can not support some of the IT stuff or decent ones because of lack of funds.

 

[Allenafaith]

The old school that I went to you HAD to have a device.
Before my mom let me get a phone or tablet or anything I got a 0 on an assignment because I didn't have a device to do it on

 

[Joshua Farrell]

At the time in my school, laptops were given out rarely, unless the student had an Individualized Education Plan that warranted having it, like if the student's writing was so terrible, that the student literally needed it, to prevent being failed in school.

 

[Bossanova]

I hear schools here in New Zealand are using iPads now. Not all school of course. We never had that at high school, which was over 5 years ago I think when I was at high school.

But might add that some schools can not support some of the IT stuff or decent ones because of lack of funds.

It's interesting how iPads are being used by schools. I don't think this is something most people predicted.

The old school that I went to you HAD to have a device.
Before my mom let me get a phone or tablet or anything I got a 0 on an assignment because I didn't have a device to do it on

Getting a 0 on an assignment due to lack of device? What device are we talking about exactly?

At the time in my school, laptops were given out rarely, unless the student had an Individualized Education Plan that warranted having it, like if the student's writing was so terrible, that the student literally needed it, to prevent being failed in school.

I was one of those students. It wasn't a laptop, though. It looked slightly smaller than an iPad, and just allowed you to type.

 

[Allenafaith]

The old school that I went to you HAD to have a device.
Before my mom let me get a phone or tablet or anything I got a 0 on an assignment because I didn't have a device to do it on

Getting a 0 on an assignment due to lack of device? What device are we talking about exactly?

You had to have either an iPad or a laptop and I didn't have either. The teacher wouldnt let me borrow hers and no other student would share so I got a 0. That was also a reason why I left that school 😛

 

[Luke]

I'm not sure where abouts you live, but when I was in high school we had classes there they used no text books at all and all used laptops, and all students were encouraged to bring laptops to do their work on!

 

[Bossanova]

I'm not sure where abouts you live, but when I was in high school we had classes there they used no text books at all and all used laptops, and all students were encouraged to bring laptops to do their work on!

I'm in the US, and there's a bit of a difference age wise between us. 😛 You're still growing up in the new generation, so I'm not too surprised technology has already been embraced. However, it could also be where you live. Maybe NZ is advanced.

 

[Luke]

I'm not sure where abouts you live, but when I was in high school we had classes there they used no text books at all and all used laptops, and all students were encouraged to bring laptops to do their work on!

I'm in the US, and there's a bit of a difference age wise between us. 😛 You're still growing up in the new generation, so I'm not too surprised technology has already been embraced. However, it could also be where you live. Maybe NZ is advanced.

I think it's because universities are moving towards full technology that the schools are having to do it. My Computer Science lecturer was talking about the whole of university (exam papers included) being online very soon, so it's a nice move.

 

[Bossanova]

I'm not sure where abouts you live, but when I was in high school we had classes there they used no text books at all and all used laptops, and all students were encouraged to bring laptops to do their work on!

I'm in the US, and there's a bit of a difference age wise between us. 😛 You're still growing up in the new generation, so I'm not too surprised technology has already been embraced. However, it could also be where you live. Maybe NZ is advanced.

I think it's because universities are moving towards full technology that the schools are having to do it. My Computer Science lecturer was talking about the whole of university (exam papers included) being online very soon, so it's a nice move.

Well, at least the old "dog ate my homework" excuse can't be used. XD Next it will be "I got a virus/malware and lost everything." :lol:

 

[Hissae2]

I'm not sure where abouts you live, but when I was in high school we had classes there they used no text books at all and all used laptops, and all students were encouraged to bring laptops to do their work on!

I'm in the US, and there's a bit of a difference age wise between us. 😛 You're still growing up in the new generation, so I'm not too surprised technology has already been embraced. However, it could also be where you live. Maybe NZ is advanced.

I think it's because universities are moving towards full technology that the schools are having to do it. My Computer Science lecturer was talking about the whole of university (exam papers included) being online very soon, so it's a nice move.

Well, at least the old "dog ate my homework" excuse can't be used. XD Next it will be "I got a virus/malware and lost everything." :lol:

More like "I forgot to save" or "My printer is broken", but yeah. 😛

At the high school I used to go to, you're not given a laptop unless you had an IEP, like Joshua said, but you are allowed to bring a laptop if you want to. Phones are also allowed by many teachers as well.

 

[Thomasss]

More and more schools are embracing it, and heck, I am on an online school so I get a computer and all the fancy techy stuff, and it's awesome. ^.^ I honestly think it's making learning better and more engaging for the student, since most students are on their phones anyway for the exact reason. 😛

 

[Reverie]

Since I'm an education major... lol..

They definitely hype up technology use. Most classes at least have one iPad, usually multiple though, along with computers/laptops. My 4th grade class I'm working in has enough laptops and iPods for each student.

I know one project last year they had to do was create basically an advertisement from information they learned from a field trip, so they were going to have to basically create a powerpoint or something, along with a video of their ad. And mind you, this is in 4th grade. It's amazing to see how far technology is going in the classroom and how easily picked up it is by the students.

Most teachers feel that all digital isn't the smartest idea, so while they have digital content for each lesson, they make sure to have other components to the lesson.