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Wireless
Laptop Computing
The Dover-Sherborn Schools
began experimenting with wireless laptop technology in 1999.
The first year experiment was a
resounding success. A cart of 22 Compaq laptops were purchased
with an Orinoco wireless access point. The cart was used almost
exclusively by the Middle School English Department primarily for
student writing. A selection of
student and teacher comments in response to the experiment are
below.
In addition to the successful
experiment, the Districts were facing construction projects for
completion in 2001, 2003 and 2004. Consideration had to be given
to the best way to implement technology.
A decision was made to expand
the use of wireless in the districts.
As a leader in the area of wireless implementation Dover-Sherborn has
given presentations on the topic at the Massachusetts Superintendents
Conference and other venues. The most recent presentation was to
superintendents and business managers from around New England at the
Dell Leadership Conference in September 2003. The ten presentation
slides are very informative and can be viewed by
Clicking Here.
Comments from Dover-Sherborn Regional Middle School English Department
teachers and students during the experimentation phase of the laptop
project.
The Middle School English Department believes that
revision is the key to the development of writing skills.
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Teachers |
Students |
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Feedback to Students
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“I can provide immediate feedback. I can conference with
an entire classroom of students.”
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“The teacher can waltz around the room giving individual
attention to each student as he/she reads the piece on the laptop
screen.”
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Practicalities
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“When you’re writing on a piece of paper you don’t ask the
teacher very many questions, but when you’re using a computer, you
realize more problems and have more questions.”
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“I can see the changes.”
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Instruction
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“The wireless lab has enabled me to alter the teaching of
writing. I can move from student to student, providing instruction
on editing and revising.”
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“Teachers can ‘catch’ students while they are in the
writing mode and when the time is right provide instruction.”
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Independence
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“I was surprised at how small the computers were and how
everyone in the class was able to work on their own.”
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“The computers allow us to check our own work when the
teacher would normally check it.”
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Classroom Atmosphere
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“For some reason, the likelihood of a student staying on
task during writing is much greater with the use of a laptop than it
is with pen and paper.”
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“I love having the students walk into the classroom, see
the lab and excitedly ask, “Mrs. Morgan, do we get to use the
laptops today?”
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Revision
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“The teacher can just come right over and give advice on
your work, and then you can change it without causing damage to your
work.”
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“With the computers the teacher can come around and work
with us all on a more personal basis.”
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In 2004 the districts completed implementation of
building-wide wireless implementation in the Chickering School, Middle
School, and High School.
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