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In a recent post, Shareski argues against 1-1 laptop programs. He says that “allowing and promoting students to use their devices, as limited as they may be, at a minimum allows access to the sum of human knowledge”. I’ve been thinking about this over the past few months as I work with the technology committee at my school to envision dramatic and transformative uses of technology by students, teachers, administrators and other staff. I’ve read research that advocates letting teachers bring laptops home to help them develop their technology skills and become more confident users of technology in their own lives and professionally. I’ve sat in meetings about lifelong learning and observed the behaviors of those around me. Technology is an incredible tool for building the kind of connections that fosters lifelong learning. This connection happens in meeting people who support us and challenge us, and in finding modes of expression based on our talents and inclinations. But to be able to access technology effectively and efficiently, one needs to be comfortable and competent with the technology. We build these skills through exploration and experience.
Working at my own computer allows me to develop strong technology skills that makes it easier for me to figure out a new environment. I believe in the importance of adaptability and flexibility but students need immersion in particular technology to build strong skills that allow for later transference, adaptation, transformation. Our students don’t need technology uniformity in schools. They don’t all need to be using the same tool at the same time; rather they need to be using tools that support learning and that transfer between home and school so that purposeful and meaningful technology immersion isn’t something that happens during school hours only.
Bring your own technology is more complicated for technical support provisions, and it does not absolve schools of the responsibility to provide technology for students who do not have their own. What it does is force schools to be more creative in their approach to technology access and use.