Laptops in the Classroom for Middle Level Education

Freedom to Learn GrantPresenters: Shannon B. Rush, Rose Wilkins, Steve Craighead

Bendle Middle School2004-2005

FTL Survey Results for BMS Teachers

• 100% of Surveyed Teachers Reported Using Laptops on a Weekly Basis!

• Commonly used computer applications at the middle level are:

–Microsoft Word

–Microsoft PowerPoint

–Internet Research/Activities

–Inspiration

–Discourse

–Encyclopedias and Dictionaries

FTL Survey Results for BMS Teachers

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

Per

cent

ages

Word PowerPoint Internet Inspiration Discourse DigitalCurriculum

Computer Applications

Graph of Teacher Use of Technology

Weekly Monthly Rarely/Never

FTL Teacher Survey Results

Teachers on average spend about:

15% LESS time lecturing10% MORE time facilitating class

group instruction10% MORE time helping students

one on one5% LESS time on classroom

management issues

How are teachers and students using technology in the

classroom?

Samples of Middle Level Assessments Using the Laptops - Math

Researched Real World Examples for “Integers”

- pH levels in swimming pools

- Richter’s scale for measuring earthquakes

Used Microsoft Excel to Graph a Set of Data

Used Websites that have Practice Problems

Used Prentice Hall Website as a review – took practice quizzes/test before formal assessment

Samples of Middle Level Assessments Using the Laptops – Language Arts

Created autobiography and turned it into a tall tale using Microsoft Word

Virtual Tours (Underground Railroad)Pre-Chicago Trip – Prior Knowledge

BuildingAudio Clips of Famous People (Ex:

Helen Keller, JFK)Primary Source Search (Front Page of

New York Times)

Samples of Middle Level Assessments Using the Laptops – Social Studies

PowerPoint Presentations – Country/Culture Projects, Core Democratic Values, Jigsaw Reading Selections

Discourse – Review, Formal Assessments

Wrote Research PapersUsed Digital Curriculum MoviesUsed CPS to Assess Understanding

Samples of Middle Level Assessments Using the Laptops - Science

Online Tests/Quizzes using DiscoursePowerPoint Presentations on a

Planetary ObjectUsed Excel to Create Data Tables and

ChartsUsed Publisher to Create “Pretend

Biome Party Invitations” Internet Scavenger HuntsResearched the Functions of the GSGS

and View/Interpret Topographic Maps

Inspiration – Demo and Samples

Rose Wilkins

8th Grade Social Studies Teacher

Bendle Middle School

Discourse – Demo

Shannon Rush

6th Grade Social Studies/Science Teacher

Bendle Middle School

PowerPoint – Samples

Steve Craighead

8th Grade Science Teacher

Bendle Middle School

Quotes and Pictures

Bendle Middle School2004 – 2005

Students Using Laptops in the Classroom

I think the laptops are a fast and easy way to learn things. We

can learn things quicker so now we can learn more. - Brandon

I think the laptops help us learn more about the world.

-Gracie

I like the laptops because I can type faster than I can write. I like the laptops

because they can help me on definitions for spelling.

- Brandon

Laptops make us more responsible. I like having the privilege to use the laptops.

-Katie

I think the laptops help me get used to using a computer for

the future. - Jessica

Thank you administrators, parents, and the Bendle Board of Education for providing all of us this wonderful

opportunity.