One-to one program

I think the one-to-one learning program was a successful and unique learning tool in the Denali Borough school district. This program gives rural children a step up on the global scale because the Internet puts the world at their fingertips while also allowing for more creativity within learning. The students and the teachers worked together to create individual educational plans so that the one-to-one program could be as efficient and successful as possible for each student. It was very effective that these classrooms based their teaching around the concept of allowing students to learn by doing it themselves. I also liked the "throw you in the pond" concept because it allows students to work at their own rate while also acknowledging that not all students learn the same way. The classroom environment was very relaxed and the students all appeared to feel very confident in what they were doing. I also noticed that everyone expressed freedom to ask questions if any confusion arose.  Although the one-to-one program was based around computers, there was always an open line of communication between everyone in the classroom. I think the students felt that they were respected, valued members of the class because while they were given a lot of responsibility, they were also given freedom to express themselves and find the learning method that worked best for them. The students had very positive outlooks on the one-to-one program and the way they were being taught. There also seemed to be a lot of collaboration and enthusiasm among the students. The one-to-one program created an environment based around common interests among otherwise different students.

One of my concerns about this program would be whether or not it could be effective in larger classes and schools. I don't think the video addressed this issue but I am not sure how realistic this type of learning could be on a large scale. How would schools receive enough funding to buy all of their students computers? And what if many of them were to come up lost or stolen at the same time? As the video discussed, there is a lot of info structure involved in this program and perhaps that would be difficult when it is no longer in a small school setting. My main concern, however, would be whether or not there would be enough guidance and direction for students with so much educational freedom to be focused and stay on task in the larger classroom setting.

My hope for the one-to-one program would be that children would benefit from it because it allows independence and gives the students numerous, up-to-date resources. Personally, I am very interested in the one-to-one program as a primary learning tool. I also feel that I am just not comfortable enough with basing my teaching around this method because I am not as computer savvy as I would like. Once I was more confident with my abilities, I would love to take part in the one-to-one classroom environment.