Mobile Laptop Lab:

20 laptops with a printer.

This lab is setup to be used for group projects in your classroom. Students can log into the school network and save their files on the school's file server. Using the wireless access point, students can log onto the Internet to access resources that will help them to complete constructive project based learning.

The laptops have wireless networking and DVD burning.

Setup

The laptop cart will hold 20 laptops which plug in to the cart for recharging. There is a switch on the side of the cart that changes the power between internal power (that charges the laptops) and external power (which turns on the wireless switch and printer).

When you bring the cart into the classroom, you will need to plug the cart into a wall outlet. The blue network cable needs to be plugged into a network jack... and in most classrooms, your teacher computer will need to be unplugged from the network while the laptops are being used.

Software

The laptops have two main programs installed for use at our school... Microsoft Office 2003 and Inspiration 8.

Microsoft Office gives students Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft PowerPoint. Any projects that require basic text and presentation of facts can be completed using this software suite.

Inspiration 8 is a program that is specifically designed for concept mapping. Visual concept mapping is one of the best practices as published by Marzano. Comparing and contrasting concepts and using the software to prepare.

Microsoft Movie-Maker: If you have a camera, then students can capture video and edit that video on the laptops and save it to be viewed on a DVD player.

Printing

Students will have to make certain that the printer they are printing to is the printer on the cart.

Project Based Learning

Effective use of this $25,000 lab is going to depend on planning appropriate projects that allow students to develop their critical thinking skills. Using "Best Practices" in developing projects is very important.

Avoid asking students to use the computers to do things that they can do without computers.

Essential Learning Tasks

• Complex learning and thinking tools
• Community learning tools
• Assessment tools
  
• Productivity tools used to construct meaning, and produce information useful to others
  

Instructional Focus

• Student-centered, constructivist pedagogy
  
• Teacher talk is “new stories with new tools.”
  
• Technology uses enable new learning tasks not possible without technology
  
• Student roles expand to include explorers, producers of knowledge, communicators and self-directed learners
  
• Teacher roles expand to include facilitators, designers, learners, and reseachers
• Learning and assessment practices are changed
  
• Students initiate technology uses as they create their own learning experiences
  
• Research is sustained inquiry for original thinking and conclusions useful to others
  
• Teachers view technology as essential for development of higher-order thinking skills (HOTS)