Tom Baines School

Tom Baines School May 5, 2002 Calgary, Alberta

IntegrationofWireless Portable Computers Tom Baines School - Calgary

Project Goals • Determine if wireless portable computers will enhance teaching and learning • Develop processes and procedures that help to make the their integration successful • Determine the total impactof this technology in theschool

Description • Integrate 20 portable wireless computers • Install a reliable wireless radio based network in the school • Develop processes and procedures for the use of this technology • In-service and support teachers in the use of this technology • Evaluate the result of integration of this technology

Integration Projects • Projects Completed to date • Grade 7 Math • Grade 7 Language Arts • Grade 7 Life Skills • Projects To Come • Grade 9 Social Studies -Email and web development • Grade 7 Humanities - Report writing and use of Middle Search on the Internet

WPC in Grade 7 Math • Orientation and set up went well • Students had a high percentage with access to portable computers at home. • Students worked well to collaborate using the hardware/software • The class was comfortable working in their own classroom Student used the WPC to access a software package called The Learning Equation by Nelson Canada.

WPC in Grade 7 Language Arts • Class was doing research in the library • Integrated well into the library • Increase in student/computer density • Ability of teacher to better support the learning process Students were to do research on both the Internet and with other resources in the library using WPC.

WPC Grade 7 Word Processing • All students have access to individual computer resources • Students were able to work on their own • Students able to save files to the school server Students used WPC to supplement a mini-computer lab so each student had access to a word processor and the school servers.

Design of Wireless Portable Computer System • Computers were configured so they had similar user interfaces as the rest of the computers in the school • Computers could access the wireless network anywhere in the school • All classes have access to the technology • All resources were made available to the wireless computer (same as wired computers) • Orientation for students and teachers

Demographics of Students and Teachers • All teachers who were hired when the school started had to commit to the integration of technology • Most students have computers at home • 80-90% • School provides computer to take home if not available • School has one FTE to support technology and information

Changes in theClassroom with WPC-Teacher Change Positive Negative Access Network Resources √ Access Special Software (TLE) √ Ability to Edit/Proof Students Work √ Ability to work collaboratively √ More space to do research √ Ease of use by students √ Time to set up/take down √ Durability of the computer √ Quality of work was higher √

Changes in theClassroom with WPC -Student Change Positive Negative Comfort being in their own room √ Easier to work together on TLE √ More focused on work √ Time to set up and get going √ Battery died on our computer √ Teacher able to help more √ Easy to correct notes on computer √ Could access the Internet to get info √ Got work done done faster √

Comments from Teachers • “Students did the work quicker than on paper” • “The assignment marks were higher” • “Revisions of work were easier” • “As teacher I could see what students were doing and help them to get on the right track” • “The class was more comfortable and on task when they stayed in their classroom” • “Dead batteries caused problems” • “Choice of project presentation went beyond word processing - HyperStudio, web pages”

Conclusions • Wireless Portable Computing - It works • As work stations • Wireless connections • Students at our school find WPC easy to use • Interface is the same as other machines • Orientation provide for students • Teachers like the flexibility of working in their own classroom a benefit

Tom Baines School