1. Laptops In Elementary
Education
By Emily Bergman

2. What do you want to learn about?
Click one to explore.
• Laptops assisting the 4th grade slump?
• Laptops improving upper elementary math
scores?
• Laptops developing literacy and research
skills?

3. Laptops and Fourth-Grade Literacy:
Assisting the Jump over the Fourth-Grade Slump
http://www.eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/Home.portal?_nfpb=true&ERICExtSearch_SearchValu
e_0=laptops+in+elementary+schools&searchtype=basic&ERICExtSearch_SearchType_0=kw&_
pageLabel=RecordDetails&objectId=0900019b803f9979&accno=EJ873679&_nfls=false
This particular issue of the Journal of Technology,
Learning, and Assessment presents evidence on
the 1:1 (one laptop per one child in a classroom)
success on improving 4th graders literacy skills
based on a research study.

4. Laptops and Fourth-Grade Literacy
Continued
The study consisted of fourth and fifth graders over a 3
year period. The significant positive effects of laptop use
began to become apparent in the second year of the
study. The first year consisted of the teachers and
students learning how to function in a 1:1 classroom.
After the first year teachers were more prepared to focus
on teaching rather than the laptops. This is also apparent
in other laptop studies as well. However, this particular
study concluded that laptops are not the magic answer to
improving standardized test scores, but they may have an
influence on improving such test results.

5. I Believe…
This was a great journal to read.
It really shows that laptops can improve the
literacy skills of elementary students when
used regularly. It is a shame that more teachers
and schools cannot be granted the opportunity
to use laptops throughout daily lessons on a
normal basis.

6. Wireless Laptops in Upper
Elementary Mathematics
http://www.eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/Home.portal?_nfpb=true&ERICExtSearch_SearchValue
_0=laptops+in+elementary+schools&searchtype=basic&ERICExtSearch_SearchType_0=kw&_pa
geLabel=RecordDetails&objectId=0900019b80394dab&accno=EJ826625&_nfls=false
This Journal consisted of research from a
study concerning three 6th grade math
classrooms who use 1:1 laptops
and seven non-laptop math classrooms.

7. Wireless Laptops in Upper Elementary
Mathematics Continued
This study researched classrooms who maintained
regular math lessons compared to classrooms who
used CompassLearning, a software program, via the
internet to provide arithmetic class. In the laptop
class, students were allowed to move at their own
pace and were responsible for their own learning.
Teachers were given more time; therefore, gave each
students more individual attention. Research showed
that laptop users outscored nonlaptop users
considerably in Quarterly Benchmark exams.

8. I Believe…
This study proved the CompassLearning software
enhanced the students grades. This really sparked
my interest due to the fact I have never had
positive results when using math programs
online. I feel as though math should be taught in
a classroom. Although through the program
students had the opportunity to work at their
own pace, they were not taught by a teacher
personally. I was shocked to see the results were
positive towards the laptop math program.

9. Information Literacy in the Laptop
Classroom
http://proquest.umi.com.proxy.ulib.iupui.edu/pqdweb?index=8&did=1473898251&SrchMo
de=1&sid=1&Fmt=2&VInst=PROD&VType=PQD&RQT=309&VName=PQD&TS=1276805938
&clientId=13225
This abstract discusses the difficulty teachers have in
integrating shared computers into lessons. Therefore,
some schools have created 1:1 laptop programs.

10. Information Literacy in the Laptop
Classroom Continued
This study proved that all students in the laptop schools
and classrooms learned to access information and use
it in their written and multimedia products. However,
analyzing it for the understanding of production was
different from school to school. Research concluded
that a 1:1 classroom improved literacy and research
skills, but other issues influenced the outcome as well.

11. I Believe…
This was an interesting journal to read. It showed that
laptops can help improve research and literacy skills,
but reminded everyone that laptops are not the only
answer. I think laptops are very good tools for a quality
education; however, I believe pencils and paper to be
an excellence form of teaching as well. Students should
learn how to use technology, but they need interaction
time in a classroom setting with teachers and students
too. Laptops are great as long as they do not take away
the classroom setting in the future.

12. In Conclusion…
These three journals really proved just how
great laptops are. They can improve the quality
of learning in elementary schools. It is very
unfortunate that these computers are too
expensive for most schools to provide a 1:1
laptop atmosphere. These journals were very
interesting to read and provoked my thinking
about laptop use in schools.

13. Works Cited
Clariana, Roy. (2009). Ubiquitous Wireless Laptops in upper
Elementary Mathematics. Journal of Computers in Mathematics
and Science Teaching. Retrieved 17 Jun. 2010 .
Suhr, K.A., Hernandez, D.A., Grimes, D., & Warschauer, M. (2010).
Laptops and Fourth-Grade Literacy: Assisting the Jump over the
Fourth-Grade Slump. Journal of Technology, Learning, and Assessment,
9(5). Retrieved 17 Jun. 2010.
Warschauer, Mark. "Information Literacy in the Laptop
Classroom. " Teachers College Record 109.11 (2007): 2511. Research
Library, ProQuest. Web. 17 Jun. 2010.
Pictures Courtesy of Yahoo Images