Teaching with Netbooks
With a new school year around the corner and my school‘s implementation of two grades of Intel Classmate Convertibles (Nobis from Equus), I’m spending much of my “free time” this summer looking for resources to help make the implementation successful. If you’ve read my other blog posts, you probably know that I’ve been working with the Classmate Convertibles since last fall, a couple of months before they were officially available. This spring, we did a pilot of the Nobis in our 6th grade with the help of Equus, who provided us with 25 demo models for use in the classroom and by teachers. With the success of the pilot, we’ve decided to adopt the Classmates and begin 1-1 implementation in 6th and 7th grades this fall.
We’ve had 1-1 in our middle school since 2003, so our teachers are experienced teaching with laptops as a significant tool for teaching and learning. But there are some significiant differences between netbooks like the Classmates and the traditional pcs we’ve used heavily in the past (most recently Toshiba A8s and M700s). Here’s a comparison of my experiences so far.
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Advantages of Netbooks |
Disadvantages of Netbooks |
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Lightweight – Netbooks are smaller, lighter, and easier to transport. Their small desktop footprint means more room for other items on the desk – books, manipulatives, etc. |
Smaller screen size – less screen real estate will require some adaptation for many users |
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Less expensive – Netbooks start around $250 for a very basic model w/1 year warranty and Linux operating system. Expect to pay more depending upon features you choose. A tablet netbook with Windows XP Home should start in the $500 range. Expect to pay an extra $100 or more if you would like an extended, no-fault warranty. Even with these added features, you’re paying less than for most traditional pcs. |
Smaller keyboard – If users are accustomed to larger keyboards, adjustment will be necessary. For kids who haven’t use keyboards much yet, this doesn’t take long. |
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Additional Advantages of Some Models: |
Potential Advantages in 1-1 Implementation:
Netbooks have a less powerful processor than professional-grade business laptops and no built in CD/DVD drive, so students in 1-1 implementations are less likely to use them for “gaming” machines. Yes, kids can find work-arounds, but they’re more likely to use home hardware for this purpose.
Most netbooks have smaller hard drives/built-in storage, so users are less likely to use them for their only music/video storage. This doesn’t mean kids won’t download music on the netbooks, but it does mean that, with careful training, students will be less likely to rely on the netbook as backup/storage for their entertainment devices. |
In preparation for life with netbooks, I’ve written a post about how I help users maximize the screen real estate on a smaller screen and have created a new Diigo Group called Teaching with Netbooks. I’m hoping this group will help build a collaborative community of educators using and interested in using netbooks as a tool for teaching and learning.
I’ve shared my bookmarks about netbooks on the Diigo group. Here are a few I think may be helpful to educators new to using the netbooks with kids:
- Doug Belshaw’s Google Preso about Interesting Ways to use Netbooks in the Classroom
- Tony Vincent’s Learning in Hand entry on Netbooks
- Netbook Lessons.com, a blog about a 1-1 implementation in an elementary classroom
- 1-1 Netbook Trial, a Ning to support a 1-1 netbook implementation in Victoria, Australia
I’m working on a list of classroom applications of netbooks which will include:
- Netbook-friendly instructional software
- Netbook-friendly online tools
- Classroom management techniques to make netbook use more effective for students and teachers (adaptations of what we’re already doing with our laptop and tablet implementations)
- Student and teacher “cheat-sheets” and training
I’m looking forward to collaborating with anyone else involved or interested in using netbooks in their schools. As always, suggestions appreciated!
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Comments
My district has submitted 2 grants for netbooks, both will include collaboration. We have been using them in one school for the past two years as well, but a great resource that i have tapped in to is at Saugus Union School District-Jim Klein has done an incredible job of implementing netbooks with his 4th graders- he rolled out 1700 netbooks and it has been extremely successful. http://www.saugususd.org/ I will visit back and see how things are going.
Thanks for sharing these resources. I found your post while researching possible grant sources for a netbook pilot our district would like to implement next year. If you don’t mind sharing, what grants did your school use to fund this program? Thanks again.
Actually, as a private school we’re not eligible for most grant funding. Instead, we had a combination of a technology endowment/donation and a newly introduced technology fee paid by middle school parents/families. Of course this is reduced for families receiving financial aid.
During one of my sessions, it was mentioned that because the hardware has numerous ways to read ebooks, it can be paid for with book money and with the same funds many schools are using to purchase Kindles, iPads, and other ebook hardware.
The computers also come with access to an ecosystem developed by Intel which includes the Smart Classroom Suite. Essentially, it means you’re giving each child access to a Smartboard. Funds, such as STEM grants, frequently used to add Smart and other interactive whiteboards can be used for these purchases as well.
I hope this helps. Does anyone else have a suggestion?
I appreciate your efforts here and will do my best to contribute over the summer. During NECC I looked into some of the simulations and virtual reality games that will run on a netbook. I have not fully tested them but when I do I will post what I find.
I am also trying to get a handle on middle school friendly primary sources because we are trying to move away from dependence on textbook driven teaching.