Click here to receive your FREE subscription to Campus Technology
Focus
Lyon's 1:1 Laptop Program Aims To 'Level the Playing Field' for Students
6/26/2008
In terms of configuration, the units include integrated Web cams, Bluetooth, wireless cards, a suite of productivity software, and campus e-mail software.
All of these considerations--funding, support, and maintenance--may seem daunting, but Roettger said he believes in the potential of the program to improve the educational experience of the students and to provide those students with tools that might otherwise prove a financial burden to them.
"We believe that this is a question of priorities," Roettger said. "We know that many of our incoming students purchase laptops during the period following high school graduation and prior to enrolling in college. Our program provides them with a laptop that has a broad range of capabilities while giving them the benefit of our bulk purchasing ability. So, for many, if not most of them, this may actually reduce the cost of preparing to come to college. The timing became right once we once we understood the one-to-one experiences that other institutions had, and after we were satisfied that our wireless coverage on campus was reliable."
We will follow up on Lyon College's 1:1 laptop initiative after the rollout. In the meantime, you can find out more by visiting Lyon's site here or by visiting the college's information page on The Lyon Experience here.
About the author: Dave Nagel is the executive editor for 1105 Media's educational technology online publications and electronic newsletters. He can be reached at dnagel@1105media.com.
Have any additional questions? Want to share your story? Want to pass along a news tip? Contact Dave Nagel, executive editor, at dnagel@1105media.com.
Cite this Site
copy text (above) for proper citation
Recommended Reading
- Moodle Gets SCORM Improvements, Security Fixes
New versions of Moodle have been released, bringing the most recent stable build to 1.9.3. The latest round of updates includes a number of bug fixes and security enhancements, as well as improvements to the SCORM module.
- Free 'Morro' Antivirus To Replace Microsoft OneCare
Microsoft is rolling out a free antivirus software program for consumers that will compete with products made by Symantec and McAfee. Code-named "Morro," the AV app is expected to be available by the end of 2009.
- Microsoft Demos New SQL Server Features at PASS
Microsoft Wednesday previewed the ability to centrally manage applications and resources in the planned upgrade of SQL Server, code-named "Kilimanjaro."
- Microsoft Unveils Exchange and SharePoint as Services
Microsoft exec Stephen Elop on Monday announced two hosted solutions from Microsoft--Exchange Online and SharePoint Online--which are now available to organizations of all sizes in the United States. The software, paid for by annual subscriptions, is hosted on Microsoft's servers and supported by Microsoft's channel partners.
- 6 Ways Not To Become Rote Using Instructional Technology
There are, in my experience, six strategies to consider with any use of technology that will guard against rote use of technology and facilitate critical analysis of teaching and learning effectiveness. In this article, I'll share with you the checklist I work with and encourage others to work with in learning about and using new technology.
- Bringing Student Web "Stuff" to Campus Enterprise Systems
How can an institution incorporate Web 2.0 learning opportunities for students, and evidence of learning from those opportunities, into existing campus technologies and processes? PlugJam is providing part of the answer.
