Going One-to-One

Laptop computers and wireless networks represent two of the fastest-growing technologies in schools. The state of Maine has adopted a one-to-one laptop program (see Muir, Manchester, & Moulton, 2005), and districts around the United States are experimenting with similar efforts. Is it time for your school or district to consider going one-to-one?

During the last two years, I have served on a team of faculty members, graduate students, and undergraduates at the University of California-Irvine that has been investigating one-to-one laptop learning programs. We have conducted case studies of 10 schools—7 in California and 3 in Maine—that have implemented such programs (Warschauer, in press; Warschauer, Grant, Del Real, & Rousseau, 2004). The schools are located in diverse rural, urban, and suburban communities; grades covered in the laptop programs range from 3rd to 12th. During those two years of study, we have surveyed more than 1,000 students and teachers; interviewed approximately 200 teachers, students, parents, and administrators; and carried out 750 hours of classroom observations. Here's what we found.

The Why Nots