Re: Writing with Laptops: High School Reflections

Dear Mr. Mass,
Living a technological life in many ways has helped me to thrive in the world with which I live. With the ability to use technology such as laptops in my school for the past two years, 8th grade English, Social Studies, Science, and Geometry and 9th grade English, and Biology, I have been able to learn more than I have in a textbook in a more interactive and interesting way. Online at school I can gather more information from around the world in ten minutes compared to the hour and a half it would take me to find out as much in a library full of reference books. I feel that by having laptops my writing ability has increased dramatically. Not only has my ability to write gotten better, when I write I am able to send my writing pieces to the world and get feedback back. Learning with laptops has defiantly increased my ability to learn more effectively. In the past year I have also experienced a major change in my learning without laptops. In history this year I have had no access to laptops and have found the class to be a lot harder than it was in 8th grade when I had laptops and was able to get more than one opinion on the topic. Next year’s freshmen that have Mrs. Smith for English 9 honors will have to expect the unexpected. They will have to be prepared for themselves. They will have to be prepared to change the world.

Re: Writing with Laptops: High School Reflections

Dear Mr. Mass,
After reading the responses the 5th graders had, I was very impressed. They already have such an advantage going in to middle school, and then on to high school. I remember that at the beginning of the year, many of us had trouble adjusting to a technologically based class. Now that these 5th graders already know how to handle technology, they will hit the ground running in the years ahead.
Back in 5th grade, I had many fun times with friends, and especially in science class. My teacher Mr. Hunt was one of the best teachers I have ever had, and he found a way to get us interested in science. We did all sorts of experiments, some didn’t even teach us anything, or so we thought. He would always find a way to turn some of the best times I had in 5th grade into a science lesson, or even a life lesson. So yes, if I could go back to 5th grade, I would. As long as I can skip middle school!

Re: Writing with Laptops: High School Reflections

well I hought the 5th graders's comments were very interesting and that they display how knowledgable they have become since I was a 5th grader. At that time i barely knew how to work a computer or type and now, 5th graders are doing sort of the same things we are doing in High School!? i am very impressed in seeing 5th graders using a laptop computer in a daily class. seeing as how these 5th graders have computers, they will be much more prepared for middle school and high school. Thats one thing I feel like i missed out on; the fact that i was not ready for high school english because i never worked with a computer like this before and I have not really learned to like it at all. Also, when you make the transition to middle school you begin using the computer for a lot more stuff than we ever did in elementary school. Using these computers in 5th grade classrooms is a much better step at preparing students that they will be facing in middle and high school alike. One thing i am sure on is that i would definetly love to go back to 5th grade. That was the best time ever and I would also be able to correct several mistakes i have made in middle and high school and be able to have all my teachers over again that were really cool. I have concluded that the school system from when i was in 5th grade has made drastic improvements and the kids now coming out of elementary school could be more repared for anything than ever before and will be able to face tougher cahllenges than any of us 9th graders were able to facce at their age.

Re: Writing with Laptops: High School Reflections

I am surprised at how useful laptops can be in a 5th grade class. I didn’t realize that 5th graders could use laptops for so many activities. I think, however, that soon, if they continue on with laptops in their school life that they might not be as excited by them. Even so, the laptops will still be helpful for all of the activities that they have used them for.
I think that a huge advantage of having laptops in early education is that we live in a very technological world and students need to be prepared to use technology. The world of technology is so vast that the early kids start using, it the more they will learn. Learning more about technology will make the future workers more productive and helpful to the world. Also, laptops make everything much more organized so kids aren’t constantly losing their papers. Additionally, laptops give kids access to tons useful programs which will help with education. Unfortunately, there is one major downfall; kids can easily get off task when they have the internet. They can start searching for cool desktop backgrounds or start playing games. And sure schools have attempted to block these distractions but nothing is perfect and kids will find loop holes. I think it would be useful for the teacher to have a screen where she can view what each student is doing.
I do not wish I could go back to 5th grade. I love high school and I can’t wait for college.
I think that schools all over the country should start to put more technology into more classrooms. Starting with high schools because they need it the most since high school students are about to go out into the world and get jobs.

Re: Writing with Laptops: High School Reflections

Mr. Maas-

After skimming through the comments made by local fifth graders, I was struck by how similar they sounded to some of the high school student’s responses. For fifth graders, the comments were very well written and expressed similar opinions to the older kids.

These students have great experience to support them after just one year of using laptops, and I can’t even begin to imagine what technology they will have access to when they are freshman in high school. From this point forward, they can only improve their new found skills and abilities. These students have a promising future ahead of them.

I do not really miss fifth grade, simply because I enjoy what I am learning now so much more and I am more confident in my abilities. I think that the introduction of technology to lower grades will allow them to get much further in their lives. Their improvement is already evident just from reading a few blog posts. I feel that technology should continue to be incorporated into schools because the benefits, like the information available, are infinite.

Arapahoe High School,
Katie H

Re: Writing with Laptops: High School Reflections

I remember in 5th grade, we were lucky to get to use a laptop and we were very excited about it. We wouldn't get to use them very often, but when we did get to, we would occassionally be able to play educational games on them and do some learning with them. These 5th graders now have the laptops incorporated into their everyday classroom. With these laptops, they have lots of information at their finger tips and are able to look it up and learn it quickly. Having a laptop also helps make their learning interactive, helping them to learn better. Also with laptops these students do not have to complete much work that they don't need to do. They really seem to like the fact that they can spell check on their laptop and not have to rewrite everything when one word is wrong. I think that having laptops in their classroom is good because it helps them be prepared for how technologically advanced the world is becoming, and it helps them be ready for it.

Re: Writing with Laptops: High School Reflections

My thoughts as to what the 5th graders said, was…well laughter, that is because it seems like these computers are life savers for these kids. These kids sound just like my own class in high school; now that we have these computers, we don’t what to lose them. These computers have saved us time and energy and for that we are grateful, we have learned new things and new types of technology that will help us in the work field. I personally think that if we are to get ahead in the fast pace world that we now live in today, we need this technology to get that good job so, then we can help other just like they have helped us.
Sincerely,
Alexandriab
AHS

Re: Writing with Laptops: High School Reflections

Mr. Mass,

I think that the comments of the fifth graders are very interesting. They are talking about taking tests online and using their wiki and blogs to read their peers comments, which I would have never been doing in my classroom in 5th grade. These kids are upping the standard of elementary education, forget the basics of flash cards and basic math and reading, the 5th graders with the laptops are really are getting a better education with the laptops. These students are going to be ready for the world way before other students of the same level will be. The laptops help to problem solve and use a different part of the brain than just the regular way of learning. The disadvantages of having the laptops is that they might not have them next year, so the children have used this great learning tool in the classroom, but it might soon be taken away. I truly wish that I could go back to fifth grade, if I had the laptops that these 5th graders have, I would have learned so much more than what I did learn. I think that we should learn that laptops are a good and innovative way to teach children and for children to learn. Next, we should get more laptops and expand this new way of thinking and learning around LPS.

Thanks,

LauraO

Re: Writing with Laptops: High School Reflections

Well, first off, I think that these fifth graders all are going to miss their laptops next year if they don’t have them. I am not sure if they realize all the possibilities that are out there that come with using a laptop. I also am wondering how well they will be able to transition back into a more traditional, laptop-free classroom

I think that the advantages these students have is not only that they are not only familiar with lots of types of technology and uses for it, but have a basis of where and when they can apply it. This will make projects and other tasks later on in their school career a lot easier. Also, they have at fifth grade, a digital footprint already going. Everything that they have done now has the ability to be seen by others. This is a major reason that my class has laptops; they are used to create a founding of work for colleges, job applications, ect.

I wouldn’t go back to fifth grade. I think that every year, for me at least, has gotten better and more fulfilling than before. Although it might be easier to be there again, I think that you can only get better in the long run by going forward.

I think that we should learn that technology isn’t just useful for older people. It is a tool that everyone can use and that, when used appropriately, is a huge advantage in any stage of learning.

Re: Writing with Laptops: High School Reflections

I agree with many of the comments that the fifth graders presented. It just goes to show that technology and laptops aid the learning of everyone by increasing efficiency. These fifth grade students now have a great advantage over other students. They have been presented and trained to use tools that people many years older are using. There probably will be some disadvantages, though. Just like my class, many student laptop users will be unable to use laptops at the next grade level. I can only imagine how frustrating it is going to be when we are suddenly going to have this myriad of technology at our fingertips just stripped away.
We should all learn that laptops increase efficiency within classroom. By using technology like laptops, possibilities for the students become endless. Many laptop using classrooms have shown and exemplified to extreme amount of benefits. Even if it becomes impossible for laptops to become incorporated into every classroom, teachers should work, in all grade levels, to begin to teach students by use of technology. Also, many families do have computers at home; schooling can transition from paper and pencil homework and slowly incorporate online or computer use homework. By taking this action students will learn skills that will be highly valuable and necessary for their future.

Re: Writing with Laptops: High School Reflections

In the comments from the fifth graders that I have read they all sounded very excited about the laptops. They all seem to like the laptops and most said that they don't want to lose them next year. I think that they will only have advantages from technology. It helps them learn and teaches them how to use it and they will know more than any of us do in a few years. I think it may cause them to be a little technology dependant judging from some of the posts but that's not a bad thing in my book. I have wished I could go back to 5th grade many times before because these were some of the best years of my life so far. I don't really know how technology would have changed my life but I do know that by the time the 5th graders are in 9th grade they will know much more than I do about these computers. I think that we should try and get more eeepc's for the district but I do not think this should be confined to the 5th graders. There are still other schools and grade levels that I'm sure do not have laptops yet so I don't think that all the focus should go to the 5th graders. I do however think making as many laptops as possible available to the 5th graders will help their learning and prepare them for the outside world. I do think that the amount of time spent on these should be scaled back however because most of them are saying everything is done on these computers and It's not good to be entirely technology dependant.

Re: Writing with Laptops: High School Reflections

Mr. Maas –

The fifth graders seem to really enjoy spell-check features on the laptops! It does help a lot, so I have to agree with them – it’s nice to be able to type something in word and not have to worry so much about how good your spelling is because of spell-check.
I think the students will have great advantages over others because they have already experienced laptops, whereas, high school students are now just getting introduced to the idea of laptops in the classroom. It may end up being a problem after being used to the laptops for the students who move onto school that don’t use them in classrooms. Overall, I think the fifth graders will end up having a greater knowledge of the technology around them than students have had in the past.
Yes, I wish I could go back to fifth grade; and no, I don’t. I want to because, not only did I love my elementary school, but I would maybe like to change some things I have done over the years to plan for my high school career. I wouldn’t like to go back because mistakes I have made in the past, and choices I have made for the future make who I am today and I like who I am. I do miss fifth grade though!
We should learn that the experiences around us are growing and that we have to embrace it and take it all in. We have to use the sources we have, the technology, to our advantage to help prepare ourselves for the future. ;)

~ChelseaC
Arapahoe High School

Re: Writing with Laptops: High School Reflections

To add on to my original post; I would have to say that everything the 5th graders said I agreed with. School + Laptops= something to look forward to doing at school. Instead of hand throbing notes, we take speedy notes on the computer or go out and find notes on the internet. The disadvantage is that these 5th graders will know what they are missing if they don't have this technology next year. The advantage is that they will be proficient in this technological field in the future.

-Sammie
Arapahoe High School
Freshman

Re: Writing with Laptops: High School Reflections

The 5th graders who have the computers had the same reaction I had about losing my computer. If I didn’t have one, it would be hard to switch back to textbooks and papers, but it wouldn’t be the end of the world. The computers are life savers when it comes to organizing and doing homework. The advantages that the 5th graders will have since using computers are more ways to do projects, pull the reader into their writing, and loads of extra things that cannot be used with just pencil and paper. Some disadvantages would be that they will have a hard time adjusting back to textbooks and writing normal pencil and paper essays. If I could go back to 5th grade I would. My class had two computers on one wall and a reading corner in the other. It was cool because during English class, we could use those computers to look up things and we could go read in the corner on bean bags instead of just sitting in a desk. We had a lot of fun and we did more than just the normal projects. We did all sorts of things like acting out the stories. What we should learn from this is that we are a new type of world that uses technology in so many ways to benefit our learning and it is a great help to use computers in class. We need to move forward in our learning and a great way to do that is with computers.

Re: Writing with Laptops: High School Reflections

Dear Dan Mass,
I think that the fifth graders comments were very well written. You can really tell that they enjoy their laptops and use them to their full advantage. They are 21st century learners. They gave great examples of how they used their laptops to enhance their learning. Now that they have had these “little computers” I believe it might be hard for them to go back to learning without them. I know that for me it would be very difficult indeed to have English class without a laptop. I also think that they will have a leg up on others when they get to use laptops again. They will already know the different tools that are available to them online. But if they do not have laptops again it may make the transition difficult because they have become dependent on them. It might be difficult for them to go back to “usual” learning. Do I wish I could go back to fifth grade? In some ways yes I do. My teacher was absolutely amazing. She really helped me along as a learner. She knew me and how I learned, she helped me grow. It was a very enjoyable time for me. Then I think about what I am learning now. I would never want to leave behind the experiences I am getting in Smith’s class. So going back to fifth grade would be nice. For about a day, then I would miss my classes I have now. And let’s face it, those desk are WAY too short. I think that we should take away that there are a lot of things that you can do with technology in the classroom. You can read about several classes that have said time and time again how much it can help. Having computers can really enhance, and expand your learning. I believe we should try to integrate computers into more classrooms.

Re: Writing with Laptops: High School Reflections

I think it's quite amazing that fifth graders are responding to these questions. To know that students are using the powers of laptops in the classroom is a wonderful fact that I take quite seriously. I only just started using laptops in my English classroom this year. And then, halfway through the year, we got a bunch of Eee PC's for our Biology classes, and that has created an even larger greater learning. I never had this chance in elementary or middle school. Sure, every so often, maybe for a day or so on some great project, the class would have a 'field trip' to the computer lab, or we'd get the single mobile lab in the school in our room for a day, but that was the extent of computers in the classroom. Everything else we were cut off from.
With this learning experience, fifth graders moving onto middle school will have a greater knowledge. For example, like noted above, if they do not have laptops, then on those occasional days when computers are available, those who had laptops will be able to have greater access to the internet and its tools. Of course, everyone else will be able to go to this extent, but only those with experience will be able to fully utilize these tools. This is very important, and examples lie within my response to Mr. Maas' first post.
I do not wish I could go back to fifth grade, for many reasons. First, I think that, once experiencing middle school, I would never want to go back. Now that I am in high school, I love it, and really never want to leave until I really have to. With all my current knowledge, I wouldn't want to relive all of what I have, learn what I've already learned, etc.
We should take away an idea of learning. We should see that laptops in the classroom are an amazing benefit to the students and teachers. The new generation is full of technology, we feel a lot more comfortable around it, rather than around paper and pencils. Paper can rip, pencils can break. Of course, there are the minor downfalls of computers: viruses, data loss, lost files, etc, but these are small prices to pay when the entire whole is looked at. With all of the tools accessible with the internet, and just on the computer without the internet, we can combine our knowledge with other's knowledge to create a vast whole. This is a point Daniel H. Pink, speech writer for president elect Al Gore, makes in his world-famous book, 'A Whole New Mind'. He writes of Symphony, a "sense" that tells how everything in the world connects or has a pattern. Symphony applies to compiling all of this knowledge with the abilities that computers give us. This is the beauty of having laptops within the classroom.

Re: Writing with Laptops: High School Reflections

Dear Mr. Maas,
The 5th grade comments reveal the true power of laptop usage in the classroom. It truthfully amazes me to see laptops being successfully used in the classroom at all age levels. The students have now used and are capable of using technologies that will change their education. However, now that they have used technologies such as the laptops, they will be reluctant to go back to standard teaching ways. Textbooks and lectures won't be enough for them. Although they were good enough for me, and I don’t wish to go back, the 5th grade students will now need a laptop to succeed. Now, to make sure they succeed all school districts need to find the funding and seize opportunity within the educational system.

Re: Writing with Laptops: High School Reflections

First I would like to say how blown away I was by the apparent intelligence of these 5th graders! They explained their experiences very well and used proper grammar and organization. Good job to all of you!

These students are so lucky to have had these experiences with using computers. I didn’t get the chance to have this opportunity until I was in 9th grade! The teachers that allow their students to use laptops in the classroom are preparing them for what they will be exposed to in their future. They will be able to present ideas in a more intriguing manner and mind boggling way than 5th graders before could have. I am also impressed by how they understand the reason why they get to use these laptops. They realize how much more they can accomplish with computers and how much more they can learn.

These 5th graders seem so much more excited about learning then I was when I was in 5th grade. The laptops have introduced the fun of learning and expanding the mind in the lives of 10 year olds. I can only imagine where these kids are going to go in their futures because of the strong foundation the laptops have created. Coming into high school, I had no idea what to expect! These kids will be much more prepared than I ever was.

To all you 5th graders: I hope that you understand how lucky you are to have this opportunity! If it is any consolation, you will be so much more prepared than imaginable. Good luck to you all and keep expanding your mind with the help of this technology!

Sincerely,
Marie from Arapahoe High School

Re: Writing with Laptops: High School Reflections

I think the 5th graders are having fun. Being more interactive with what they're doing, and having more control to do things at their own pace. The computers are definitley helping them a lot, in terms of learning and organization. These kids will have a massive advantage already having experience and practice with using computers. Using computers to record information, connect with others, and sort files is going to help them a lot in the years to come. Knowing how to use the internet well gives them acess to the world's information, and being able to access it is going to help a lot. I don't personally wish I was back in the 5th grade. It was fun, but I have a lot more freedom now and can do more. I think what we can take from this is that kids learn faster than we would think, and given the right circumstances they can do amazing things. These 5th graders have better English than I did!!

Re: Writing with Laptops: High School Reflections

As a fifth grader, i think learning with laptops would be a great experiance. However, it would be very hard to go back to a regular class. For any class using laptops, it would be difficult to go back to a regular class. Since the fifth graders are younger than us, I think it would be harder for them.
The only reason i would want to go back to being younger is for naptime, and they don't have naptime in fifth grade, so i would not go back.

Re: Writing with Laptops: High School Reflections

Dear Mr. Mass,
I think that the 5th graders have good comments about the laptops. I think that if I had the laptops in 5th grade, it would have been a very good learning step for me. I think that laptops shouldn't just be confined to 5th grade and high school, but to all grades that can benefit from them. I think if there were laptops in my 5th grade class i would go back to it. It would have helped me be more organized and get better at writing. I remember that in my 5th grade class we had about 4 computers in the whole room, which more than 20 kids had to share. Also, we didn't go to the computer lab that much so our computer use was definitly limited. All in all laptops in 5th grade would have helped and I'm glad some got the oppurtunity to do it.

Re: Writing with Laptops: High School Reflections

It was interesting to see the different writing style of the comments by the 5th graders. For example, they would start by saying Dear…, They seemed so excited in their writing and I could really hear the student talking. They will be leaps ahead going into high school. They have learned how to use so many new applications that they can use to their advantage in high school or middle school. They also have so much extra time in class because of things like not having to take attendance to learn even more. I would love to go back to 5th grade. Having one class and one teacher all day. But wow, I cannot even imagine using computers in 5th grade. I was only there 4 years ago and even then we got to go to the computer lab once a week and use the old computers that barely work. I think that with this information more computers should be distributed to help kids learn, but I do not think they should get them as young as 5th grade. It seems to me like elementary school should be about learning the basics and working with the people around you, not separated from them by a computer. Computers certainly have their advantages, but I think that 5th grade is simply too young. The computers could be instead moved to more classrooms at the middle and high school level.

Re: Writing with Laptops: High School Reflections

The fifth graders have great comments about the laptops. They were formal, informative, and straight to the point. They explained everything very well, staying with the topic and giving great examples. It almost seems like they are older! Now that they had this learning experience, they would be more equipped for the future: highschool, college, even in their careers. Getting used to this technology at an early age is a great idea, and from their comments, I can tell it has worked exceptionally well. In many ways, I do wish I could go to 5th grade. I never went to kindergarten, elementary school, or the first two years of middle school, because our family has been moving around quite often. I moved to Colorado from England at the beginning of 8th grade, and I would like to experience the school system earlier on. I think we have learned that equipping 5th graders with laptops would be very beneficial to them, and possibly the school. They should get laptops for more students around the state, and also the world. It will be greatly beneficial to education.

Re: Writing with Laptops: High School Reflections

Mr. Mass,
I think the comments made by the fifth graders were convincing. They included some aspects of having a laptop in their classroom that I didn’t think of such as staying organized, taking attendance, taking quizzes online, and even making teachers’ jobs easier. This made me believe more strongly, that having laptops in the classroom helps speed up the work process, make learning somewhat easier, and create a more fun and friendly environment.
There are a few disadvantages I think these fifth graders will come across such as relying on the laptops too much. Everyone from our generation and prior has grown up learning the “old-fashioned” way with pen and paper. Now that laptops are a big idea in classrooms at such a young age, students might have difficulty learning any other way, such as with a textbook. In my English class, we use a discussion tool called a Fishbowl, and a topic that came about in the discussion once was how technology can become too advanced/powerful and could keep us from learning and containing knowledge because it will be so heavily relied on. If we start using laptops in a classroom at this young of an age, we’re more likely to keep relying on the technology.
The third question is kind of funny. I wish I could go back to fifth grade for the Reading Circles, snack time, recess, and a low homework load, but other than that, I wouldn’t go back at all. If you’re asking, though, whether or not I’d go back to be able to learn with laptops, I’d say no. I was fine with pens and paper back then because I didn’t know of any other way of learning, but I think to push laptops onto children at such a young age, they may not be able to comprehend the whole fact that there are so many ways of learning – laptops aren’t the only way, just as paper and pens aren’t. With this, I think laptops in the classroom are better in higher-level classrooms.

Re: Writing with Laptops: High School Reflections

I enjoyed reading the fifth grader's comments. A lot of them seemed really excited to have these laptops, and I would be too if we had used them in fifth grade.

My fifth grade classroom had some Apple computers lined up on one wall. The one we loved the most was this old computer that didn’t even have a mouse; it just had a keyboard, a screen consisting of colored pixels and a floppy disk drive. We played math games on it all the time. There was something about its old technology that was fascinating to us. Old machines give kids a look at how things work and show the roots of modern technology. It was like the time when we saw a bull fight film in sixth grade on a massive projector. It had the two spools on top that rolled the film across the light, displaying each square of film up on the screen. Nowadays technology has made things smaller and more complex. It’s hard to say how they work; we just accept the fact that they work and use them. I think that using the Triple EEE’s is a great thing, but that they shouldn't be the only resources in the classroom.

Re: Writing with Laptops: High School Reflections

Mr. Maas,

The 5th graders didn't seem to have a very leaning reaction to the situation, instead, they were very benign comments. These students are connected with the world now and have access to so many things, but may unfortunately become dependent on the reliance of technology. We all know that we will not have a laptop in our back pocket every second, available to utilize, if rules and regulations even permit. I don't wish for one second that I could go back to 5th grade, I am having such a incredible experience in high school and would actually wish to be older when I was a 5th grader. What everyone can ultimately learn from this situation is that not every last individual necessarily wishes to utilize available technology and it should be a choice rather than coercing students to use something they do not wish to use. Technology should always be available for those who feel a need for it.

Re: Writing with Laptops: High School Reflections

Mr. Maas-

After reading the comments by the fifth graders I’m really impressed. I never thought that you would be able to do so much on laptops; especially in fifth grade. These fifth graders will be extremely prepared for middle school. I would have loved to have had that experience as a fifth grader.

Some advantages these students will have now are huge. These students will understand technology better and will be able to do more things with it when they get to high school than I can do right now. Some disadvantages are that they probably aren’t doing so well with being able to spell words or use dictionaries because they have their own personal spell check and online dictionary at their fingertips. Even taking spelling tests online is never the same as having to write the words out.

If I could have the learning experience these fifth graders are receiving I would go back to fifth grade. It is amazing that they are getting this experience as fifth graders when I’m getting it as a ninth grader. The hardest part about my English class this year was trying to not throw the computer against the wall when I couldn’t figure out how to do something. If I had been working with computers since fifth grade, I would probably have more patience with computers and technology.

Something that can be learned from this is that laptops can help students learning and expand their knowledge. What should happen next is that more classes should get laptops or computers and more technology should be brought into the classroom.

Re: Writing with Laptops: High School Reflections

I am really enjoying reading the 5th graders comments. They are such fantastic writers. I am so impressed! Their comments really do seem to mirror ours; organization, responsibilities, un-complicating complicated tasks, reducing the amount that teachers repeat directions…ect.
It’s so cute to read their comments because they get so excited about computers, and technology, which I guess we do too. There is something special about laptops. Maybe it’s the keyboard and the buttons, or the fact that we have the privilege to use these great machines, or maybe it’s just exciting to feel completely connected with the world. The facts is, from 5th graders to 9th graders, we all love laptops, and believe they help our learning.

The 5th graders have so many advantages over other students their age now that they know how to use computers, how to navigate on blogger, wiki, ect. They are definitely way more technologically savvy compared to me when I was in 5th grade. I think they will become better researchers and could possibly be more in touch with what is happening in the world around them just by being on the internet and learning about world news. I do ,however, feel that they will suffer some disadvantages too. I think that technology with become less and less exciting to them. They will take this resource for granted. Also, the internet can be a dangerous place if not used and navigated properly. So they need to be aware of the threats it poses.

I do not wish that I could go back to 5th grade. I am happy to be in 9th.

What should happen next? Well, it seems like we keep raising the standards. They seem to be more advanced than I was in 5th grade, but maybe not. Maybe I just never had the chance to work in a technologically rigorous environment. Next, well I think that more schools should get laptops. I think that 5th grade is the perfect age to start using them too because they will go into middle school with the skills, and I think 4th grade is too young. That’s the first, next step.

Thanks for this opportunity. I look forward to seeing what our future in education looks like.

Re: Writing with Laptops: High School Reflections

Dear Mr. Maas
These 5th graders have so much advantage over many things in so many ways. They are already ahead of the game in terms of a changing and morphing world. With new technology on the rise, its impertinent that our young people have a familiarization with innovative ideas and technology. Otherwise, they are going to be left in the dust when more compettive indivduals fight for jobs and carreers. I wouldnt say that I want to go back to 5th grade, because I think that being introduced to laptops etc., in 9th grade worked out beneficially. It was more of a perk of going to high school. I think this offers so many solutions and a quick movement should be followed by this one. i think its very important to educate our youth for the future to have a truly successful life and future.

Re: Writing with Laptops: High School Reflections

Technology is wonderful, but what about the fun of having a pencil or pen in your hand, writing in your diary or journal? sort of takes the personal part out of it, just typing on a keyboard.

Hmmm and how is it "impertinent" that our young people have familiarization with innovative technology if they can't spell "competitive" or "individual" or "career"? Someone is relying on spellcheck instead of learning, me thinks. Might this be a downside of the computer life???