Discussion Questions on Dunleavy's Article "What added value does a 1:1 students to laptop ratio bring to technology-supported teaching and learning?"

 

1) Do you think that 1:1 student to laptop ratio would transform education as we know it? If so,in what ways?

 

2) Do you think that getting computers for all students should be a priority for Districts even though they already have a severely limited education fund?

 

3) How could we prevent teachers from getting 'computer lazy' ie: depending on computer software to scaffold and instruct their students?

 

4) Howard Gardner's Multiple Intelligence Theory suggests that the traditional notion of intelligence is much too limited and he proposes a much broader range in human learning with 8 different intelligences. Do you think that learning resources such as computers support students with different learning needs and intelligences?

 

5) Dunleavy suggests that effective learning environments should "support making connections between the students' existing knowledge, skills, attitudes, and beliefs and the current learning situation." We have also learned that building on existing knowledge is essential in inquiry-based learning environments. How do you think that a 1:1 student laptop ratio would contribute effiective learning as it is described above? 

 

6) Dunleavy suggests that “Laptops not only can add value to the teaching and learning process but can also contribute to classroom management problems.” How do you think that laptops would contribute to classroom management problems?