1-to-1 Learning

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Read the Smart Classrooms Byte: 21 Steps to 21st Century 1-to-1 Success to find out about the four phases and 21 steps to successfully plan 1-to-1 programs.

Learn more about 1-to-1 learning by attending a 1-to-1 Learning: Leading the Way Practicum, held in various locations throughout the state.

Overview

1-to-1 programs are also known as 'anywhere, any time' or 'laptops for students' programs.

These programs provide students with personal portable computers to enhance opportunities for learning. The devices help schools engage the digital generation by nurturing individual (or 1-to-1) learning experiences.

Preparation the key to success

There are many steps schools need to take before launching 1-to-1 programs. Most of these steps involve detailed planning and preparation.

While primary and high schools need to understand the importance of planning to the success of 1-to-1 programs, high schools in particular must know. Doing so will help them prepare for the rollout of the Australian Government's Digital Education Revolution.

Benefits of 1-to-1 programs

1-to-1 programs are an element in an international move towards individualising learning, which can increase independence and self-initiated learning in students, and extend their learning beyond the classroom.

Students who have their own laptop computers have been found to take greater pride and ownership over the knowledge they create, with a flow-on to more flexible forms of schooling.

1-to-1 programs can extend formal learning communities to include parents, siblings and other people important in students' lives. Also, the programs may lead to initiating global communication and collaboration and develop creative expression.

Successfully implementing 1-to-1 programs

Successfully implementing a 1-to-1 program in any state school relies on an equal focus on:

a strongly supported vision and culture across the whole school community
effective technical infrastructure and support
development of constructivist, student-centred pedagogies
structured professional development for staff.

The Department has developed four phases and 21 steps to the successful implementation of 1-to-1 programs.

These phases and steps are outlined in the Smart Classrooms Byte: 21 Steps to 21st Century 1-to-1 Success.

1-to-1 Learning: Leading the Way Practicums

What should a 21st Century Classroom look like?
What is the critical role of a principal in a 1-to-1 program?
How do you build a shared vision to ensure success?
What can a 1-to-1 program bring to your school?
What are the challenges of leading technology rich learning?

If your school is considering a 1-to-1 program, then building the vision for and understanding what is involved in leading a technology-rich learning environment is a priority for your school.

These two-day practicums, led by Sean Tierney with Bruce Dixon, will enhance the knowledge of lead principals and ICT educational leaders to build a shared vision for their school in 1-to-1 learning. They can challenge leaders to create an essential blueprint for 1-to-1 learning in their school or district.

Secondary schools will be provided the latest information and advice relating to the Australian Government National Secondary Schools Computer Fund.

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Technology creates a better world for orangutans

A group of Queensland students has used the latest classroom technologies to transform their interest in the endangered orangutan into an award winning performance.

Part of the Smart Classrooms 1-to-1 laptop program, Cedar Creek State School produced a short film that won them first place in the national Dream a Better World Film Festival.

Principal Stephen Wallace says the Year 3 and 4 children did a wonderful job, using the laptops to create a film that clearly reflected their desire to save the species.

'What the children produced was absolutely unbelievable, it just blows my mind.'

'I'm sure that our school's involvement in the 1-to-1 laptop trial helped them win it too.

'The children had the best resources at their fingertips and they all knew how to get the most out of them.'

Organised by Gold Coast theme park Dreamworld and Coomera State School, the film festival challenges students to be socially aware and proactive in visualising a better world. It also aims to enhance children's self-confidence and develops their skills in drama, story-telling, interviewing and public speaking along with the technical elements of filmmaking.

This year's win, coordinated by teachers Dawn Clark and Wendy Gerrard, is one better for Cedar Creek State School having taken home the runner-up junior prize in 2008.

The school's prize package included 10 new iPods.

'The film clip was the wonderful result of two classes working together on a school lesson for a period of six weeks,' says Mr Wallace.

'It was a great culminating task for them and winning the competition was an added bonus.'

To view Cedar Creek State School's winning production, click here(.mov 7mb)