In my dream world of being an educator...
I would be in the intercity, teaching students with low SES. I would have a small class, they would all get their own laptops funded by the school. Each student would have their own textbook, they would get breakfast and lunch everyday for free...So, reviewing this article fits into my dreamworld...by that i mean it is technology in its dream state.

This article recommends how to use technology to create a better learning environment.

From T.H.E. Journal
Using Technology to Enhance the Classroom Environment By Lawrence E. Levine, Ph. D., Stevens Institute of Technology

Larence writes, "The first thing to realize is that a laptop classroom is actually two facilities in one. With laptop lids down, it is an ordinary classroom; with the lids up, it is a computer laboratory. Instructors can move seamlessly between these two scenarios and exploit each to their advantage. " This is important. The classroom can suddenly become a mutli-functional room with endless possibilities for you curriculum planning.

This is reinforced by Mark Warschauer, David Grant, Gabriel Del Real, and Michelle Rousseau's article "Promoting Academic Literacy with technology: Successful Laptop Programs in K-12 Schools."

The authors write that "the promotion of academic literacy involves far more than "teaching English." Rather, it involves offering students "access to the ranges of knowledge, abilities, and forms of language" that will enable the to "lay claim to the social identities that afford them a participant status" in academic communities, and provide scaffolding and supportive environment necessary for attainment of these." (p. 161)



However, in this article, the authors discover that, "unfortunately...most K-12 teachers in the US have experienced great difficulty in effectively integrating new technologies in instruction of ELLs." (p.161) So although we have run into this small road block, it seems that using laptops in classrooms is a highly effective method for teaching you students. the possibilties are endless.

However, a couple warnings shared by both Lawrence E. LEvine and the authors of "Promoting Academic Literacy with Technology." One being make sure that you have the students close their laptops during any sort of instruction. They note that if they are infront of the computer while you are talking, they are most likely doing something else. Also, make sure you can control their internet access. Because, along the same lines, if there is a way for students to get on MySpace while they are supposed to be working on classroom material, you better belive they will be.

Check out this website: World Computer Exchange

Levine, Ph. D., Lawrence E. "Using Technology to Enhance the Classroom Environment," THE Journal, 1105 Media, 2009, http://www.thejournal.com/articles/15769_4.

Warschauer,Mark, Grant, David, Del Real,Gabriel, and Rousseau, Michelle, "Promoting Academic Literacy with technology: Successful Laptop Programs in K-12 Schools," Computers in Education, Annual Editions, 12th ed, 2007, McGraw Hill, pp. 156-161.