Technology
The Learning With Laptops Program
Learning With Laptops is a program that harnesses the power and mobility
of the laptop computer to make students more productive learners.
It currently operates in grades 7 through 10 at all four Clovis intermediate
schools (Alta Sierra, Clark, Reyburn, and Kastner), and all four high
schools (Buchanan, Clovis High, Clovis East, and Clovis West).
Learning With Laptops in Clovis relies on a partnership with parents
to provide greater access to technology for students. We have learned
that when students have access to a laptop computer Anytime Anywhere,
powerful changes begin to occur in that student's school work, and
in their learning. Those changes depend on the student having the
computer 100% of the time. To achieve that Anytime Anywhere access,
we offer a deal to parents: if they buy a laptop computer, we'll make
sure that their student is placed in a classroom with a teacher who
has been especially trained to integrate the use of that computer
into everyday work. We call those immersion classes.
To ensure that every student has access to the power of the laptop
computer, we take two additional steps. First, we have a loaner program
for students who would like to be in an immersion class, but can't
get a laptop. Much like our band program loans instruments to students,
this program provides a laptop for a student to use at school and
at home for the entire year. All that we ask is that the family pay
for insurance for the computer for that year at a cost of $75. This
program is open to any student. If more students apply for loaners
than are available, a drawing is held to determine the assignment
of the laptops.
Second, the District has equipped designated classes with laptops
for students to use during class time. These standard classes are
in subject areas that ensure every student has access (e.g. academic
block at the intermediate schools). The District has spent $1.7 million
over the last two years in this effort, as we move toward our long
term goal of every student having full-time access to a laptop computer
every day.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
How Would Laptops For Learners Help My Student?
Nationwide, as well as in Clovis, schools have discovered
there are lots of benefits for students enrolled in Laptop programs:
Students are more motivated. Something about working with the computer
is motivating to students. Students with laptops are more likely to
do their homework.
Students are more engaged learners. Because working on the computer
is more motivating, teachers find that students attend to learning
tasks more thoroughly. Believe it or not, but they actually spend
extra effort to make their assignments better.
Students write more and write better. Using a laptop to write has
a tremendous impact on student writing. They write longer pieces,
make greater effort to revise and edit, and are more likely to find
and correct errors in their writing.
Students do neater work. When most assignments are printed out or
turned in on a disk, they look better, are easier to read, and make
a better impression on the teacher.
Students collaborate more with other students. Many people fear that
having a computer will reduce the human interaction between students.
Actually, the opposite is true. In laptop classes students teach each
other, work together on projects, and constantly interact with each
other about the work they are doing.
Students improve their critical thinking skills. Completing work on
a laptop often requires students to "figure out" how to
solve a problem. In addition, most laptop classes do more projects,
which usually involve more critical thinking.
Students can learn anytime anywhere. Having a computer 24 hours a
day, at home, at school, in the car on a family trip, means that students
can complete assignments in ways and in places they've never been
able to before.
Students are more productive learners. With the computer available
to them, students get more work done and learn faster.
Students develop real world skills. With laptop computers and the
same application software used in business, students complete projects
that would be acceptable in boardrooms around the world.
Students learn the Information Age skills they will need to succeed
in 21st century careers. Finding information, making sense of it,
and communicating it are key Information Age skills that students
master in laptop classes.
Students develop oral language prowess and skill in making presentations.
Creating PowerPoint presentations and getting up in front of the class
to present them orally give students confidence and skill in public
speaking situations.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"I'm Not Sure This Is For Me"
If that's what you're thinking, here are some ideas you should
consider:
Even if you choose not to buy a laptop, your son or daughter will
still benefit from increased exposure to technology. The District
has committed to increasing the numbers of computers in targeted classrooms.
If you don't feel comfortable with investing in a laptop right now,
your student will still use a computer to complete assignments.
No doubt about it, buying a laptop is an expensive commitment. If
this is not the time for you to make that kind of investment, apply
to your school site for a loaner computer. Some laptops are available
at each school to loan to students for the year, much as we already
loan band instruments. Contact your school principal to see if your
student will qualify to use a loaner laptop for next year.
Maybe next year. Perhaps this just isn't the right time, and that's
OK too. The District is committed to Learning With Laptops as an ongoing
program, and the opportunities will still be available next year.
If you have more questions, do a little investigation. The best place
to get more information is to attend one of the Laptop Parent Information
Nights. In addition, you might want to ask around and see what other
parents are saying about the program. And don't hesitate to call.
The principal at each site can answer your questions, or call Marshall
Doris at 327-9606.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Buying a Laptop
1. You may buy your laptop anywhere. But there are two requirements:
Your student must be able to bring their laptop to school every day.
The laptop must meet the following minimum requirements. If you are
purchasing a new laptop, you should consider using the specifications
marked as "preferable" within each set of parentheses.
Pentium 75 mhz (300+ mhz is preferable)
8 MB RAM (64 MB preferable)
500 MB Hard Disk (3.5+ GB is preferable)
Color Display
Windows 95 (Windows 98 or Windows 2000 is preferable)
SoundBlaster Pro--or equivalent--card installed
Microsoft Office 97 Pro software including: Word, Excel, PowerPoint,
and Access (Microsoft Office 2000 Pro is preferable )
Ethernet Card
2. While you can buy any laptop that meets the above requirements,
you might want to consider buying an Anytime Anywhere Laptop Bundle.
There are several advantages:
The price includes more than just the computer. The following are
included in the price of the computer you purchase through the AAL
program: The Microsoft Office 2000 Pro software (a $529 value); a
modem ($80-$120), an ethernet card ($110-$130); Carrying case ($35);
a 3 year parts & labor warranty (versus 1 yr).
You have the option to purchase insurance for your laptop.
District technicians can reinstall software for you if your have any
problems.
Our local vendor will pick up and deliver your computer at the school
if there are any hardware problems that
Require Repair.
3. The Clovis Unified School District does not sell computers. Our
local reseller partner, through whom you would order your computer,
is CompuWave. You can contact them at (559) 437-1250. You are encouraged
to visit local retail stores to try out the laptop models and compare
prices and features. This is important for two
Reasons:
Because CompuWave mainly sells to businesses and government offices,
they do not have a showroom, and do not have stock on hand as demonstration
models for you to look at.
We want you to be an informed shopper.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Laptop Parent Information Nights
If you want to find out if Learning With Laptops is right for your
student, you will want to attend one of the Laptop Parent Information
Nights Scheduled at your school during April this spring.
Since each school organizes some elements of the program in a way
that is unique to that school, your best choice will be to attend
the meeting at the school your son or daughter will be attending next
fall. If you can't make the meeting scheduled at your school, there
are enough elements of the program that are the same at all the schools
to make it worthwhile to attend a meeting at another school.
The 2001 Parent Night Schedule will be updated as other information
becomes available--please check back
School Date Location Time
Elementary
Liberty
Thursday, April 5
Multi-Purpose Room
6:30 - 8:00
Intermediate Schools
Alta Sierra
Monday, April 2
Multi-Purpose Room
6:30 - 8:00
Clark
Thursday, April 19
Multi-Purpose Room
6:00 - 7:30
Kastner
Wednesday, April 4
Multi-Purpose Room
6:00 - 8:00
Reyburn
Monday, April 30
Multi-Purpose Room
6:30 - 8:00
High Schools
Buchanan Wednesday, April 18 LLH 6:30 - 8:00
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Getting More Information
To get more information about the Learning With Laptops program at
your school site, contact:
Alta Sierra - 327-3500 - Don Ulrich, Principal; Jon Yost, Learning
Director
Clark - 327-1500 - Carl Tomlinson, Principal
Kastner - 327-2500 - Rick Gold, Principal
Reyburn Intermediate School - 327-4500 - Stacy Dunnicliff, Principal
Buchanan- 327-3000 - Cheryl McKinney, Principal; Rosalie Baker, Deputy
Principal
Clovis East High School - 327-4000 - Jeff Eben, Principal; Melissa
Macon, Deputy Principal
Clovis High - 327-1000 - Walt Byrd, Principal
Clovis West- 327-2000 - Carlo Prandini, Principal; Connie Naegle,
Learning Director
To get more information about the Learning With Laptops program in
the District, contact:
Chuck Philips, Director, Information Technology
Voice: 327-9607
Email: ChuckPhilips@clovisusd.k12.ca.us