Site Visit Describes Development of Laptop Initiative - July 31, 2007

Karen French presents an outstanding student iMovie project.

The College of Education and its Learning Technology Center (LTC), in conjunction with Apple Inc., hosted a site visit July 25 and 26 to help representatives from other higher education institutions learn about the College’s Laptop Initiative for Future Educators (LIFE), in which teacher education students entering the professional development sequence are required to have a laptop computer. Six visitors from Abilene Christian University and Texas State University spent a day and a half at the College, hearing about the program’s history and development, structure and management, and how the LTC provides critical technical support. LIFE coordinator Chad Fulton said, “the emphasis of the meeting was on give-and-take. We helped our guests think through all the issues involved in starting a laptop program, but it gave us a chance to reflect on what we’ve done and come up with ideas to improve and move our program forward.”

Chad organized the visit’s series of activities. On the first day, Chad presented the LIFE video, and Dr. Larry Abraham, Curriculum & Instruction Department Chair, provided an overview of the program. A tour of the LTC followed, emphasizing the facilities and services that support the technical aspects of the program. A panel discussion then described the roles and duties of those involved in the initiative. After a lunch provided by Apple, IDEA Studio Coordinator Karen French presented examples of student assignments created with laptop software, including several outstanding iMovie projects. Arturo Guajardo, of the Austin Independent School District, described Project VIDA, in which the College has donated older laptops to mentor teachers to support class projects, such as student-created books using iPhoto. He described how the technology skills of the apprentice teachers enhance the apprentice/mentor relationship.

Associate Dean Sherry Field opened the next morning’s activities, detailing the support that faculty receive to integrate the laptop into their curriculum. She described the culture that the laptops have created among faculty, with everyone learning from and encouraging one another. Karen French outlined the faculty support that the LTC’s IDEA Studio provides, including training, suggestions on ways to modify assignments to include technology, and “just-in-time” training to prepare students for laptop-based projects. Dan Updegrove, former Chief Information Officer for the University when the program began in 2002, described the impact that the initiative had on campus technology services and infrastructure. He praised the College, stating that the detailed planning for the program answered all his initial concerns, and the quality of the program’s structure and support went well beyond what was expected.

The last activity brought together a panel of LTC staff answering questions about support services, such as equipment checkout and the Web-based reservation system. As the visit ended, the participants expressed their thanks and appreciation. Susan Lewis of Abilene Christian said she now knew about many issues that she had not considered before, and Carolyn McCall of Texas State thanked everyone for letting her benefit from their experience and reflection.

More site visits are planned for the future. For more information, contact Chad Fulton.

—Laurie Caldwell, LTC Communications Coordinator

Related Links:

• Laptop Initialtive for Future Educators (LIFE)