The once-promising 1:1 program initiative, funded by local taxpayers, state and federal grants, and bolstered by social media appeal, has become a mere checkbox for public schools. The original goal of using a 1:1 environment to improve student academic performance has faded, leaving a program schools strive to implement and maintain without a clear purpose.
History and Evolution of the 1:1 Laptop Initiative in Public Schools
Heubeck (2022) provides a historical perspective on the rise of 1:1 computing programs in public schools, noting their introduction in the late 1990s, which elicited reactions ranging from “intrigue by some and absolute horror by others.” Her words, not mine. Despite mixed research findings, the trend of adopting 1:1 programs has continued to grow. By March 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic closed schools nationwide, districts with pre-existing 1:1 programs appeared to have an advantage over those scrambling to distribute devices to students. However, the prolonged pandemic revealed that providing devices alone does not translate into academic benefits; while useful for remote learning tools like Zoom, the assigned 1:1 devices did not significantly affect academic or social-emotional success.
Despite this uncertainty, schools across the United States spend increasing amounts of money on 1:1 devices for students, even though research indicates these programs have little effect on student achievement (Cuban, 2006; Gallagher-Landis, 2017; Penuel, 2006).
Current Challenges and Questions Surrounding 1:1 Programs
A colleague recently highlighted a common issue: understanding the purpose of a district-wide “take-home” 1:1 program. The conversation was eye-opening, especially from a district that appears to have it all together. For instance, why should a first-grade student take a device home daily if it isn’t necessary for homework, is limited to a few educational apps, and restricts the family’s broader internet use? The underlying reason often appears to be the program’s superficial appeal rather than its educational value. Look at us, shiny devices, go home! The program’s assertion of innovation remains dubious without a clearly defined, evidence-supported objective(s). Despite significant investments in funding, staff resources, and ongoing efforts, one question remains: Why send them home? What profound educational benefits does all this effort and investment in 1:1 devices offer?
The Need for a Purpose-Driven Approach to Technology in Education
Educators must recognize that providing access to technology for academic success is more than simply providing access. Research by Johnson (2017) indicates that 1:1 learning environments can perpetuate socioeconomic distinctions, while Reich (2020) suggests that educational technology may support inequitable uses. Think consuming, not creating. Reich (2020) observes that the educational equity gap is widening, as wealthier students use technological tools to collaborate with teachers and parents to create high-quality learning experiences. We should no longer address simple technology access, such as a take-home 1:1 device, as it is insufficient.
Moreover, studies have shown inconsistent conclusions regarding the impact of 1:1 computing on academic outcomes (Ames, 2019; Darling-Hammond et al., 2014; Johnson, 2017; Zielezinski, 2016). Therefore, the optimal path to academic success involves creating personalized learning environments with engaging, individualized instruction supported by appropriate technology tools primarily used within the school setting. According to Hattie (2018), teacher efficacy has the largest effect size on student academic outcomes (1.57). The effect size of 1:1 laptop programs is just 0.16. A teacher’s belief in their ability to teach a student is vital to student achievement, but having a 1:1 device is not. We already knew that, though.
Research on the Impact of 1:1 Computing Programs
Research on 1:1 computing programs has shown some positive effects on teaching and learning (Kleon, 2014; Zheng et al., 2016). However, as noted above, it has also highlighted significant issues, such as perpetuating socioeconomic disparities (Johnson, 2017) and inconsistent conclusions about impacts on academic outcomes (Ames, 2019; Darling-Hammond et al., 2014; Johnson, 2017; Zielezinski, 2016). Jason Saltmarsh, a fellow University of New England alumnus, focused his dissertation on perceptions of integrating Chromebooks in a 1:1 environment, contributing to the ongoing discussion about the effectiveness and challenges of these programs. Saltmarsh’s (2021) research underscores that, despite the ambitious goals of 1:1 access, school districts continue to allocate substantial funds for student devices, often without achieving the intended educational outcomes.
Balancing Technology and Personalized Learning through the UDL Framework
Now for some positives. Zheng et al. (2016) found that 1:1 programs increased the frequency and breadth of student technology use, promoted student-centered learning (such as personalized learning), increased the quantity and variety of writing, and strengthened teacher-student and home-school relationships. Novak (2014) emphasizes that while technology is crucial for representing student information, the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework is rooted in our innate love of learning and benefits from access to technology. Balancing technology and personalized education, along with UDL implementation, relies on student-centered lessons, strong relationships, and fostering a continual love of learning. The reliance on relationship building mentioned above far outweighs sending a device home. Chardin and Novak (2020) note that the UDL framework and personalized learning apply and benefit all environments, even without technology, and help all learners in both traditional and modern settings.
In Conclusion…
Effective educational outcomes necessitate a balanced approach that includes personalized learning on deep, core subject matter, student-centered lessons, and the implementation of the UDL framework. Addressing concerns that technology perpetuates socioeconomic distinctions is crucial, and this requires emphasizing engaging, individualized instruction to achieve academic success. On the surface, sending a 1:1 device home without a goal or objective, and without continual program assessment, looks like a feel-good program that looks great from afar. Just don’t come close and ask questions.
Furthermore, educators must address the inadequacy of mere access to technology by prioritizing personalized learning environments tailored to individual students. Such environments, characterized by engaging, personalized instruction and high academic expectations, supported by appropriate school-based technology tools, offer an optimal pathway to academic success.
References
Ames, M. (2019). The charisma machine: The life, death, and legacy of one laptop per child. Harvard University Press.
Chardin, M., & Novak, K. (2020). Equity by design: Delivering on the power and promise of UDL. Corwin Press.
Cuban, L. (2006). The laptop revolution has no clothes. Education Week, 26(8), 29. https://www.edweek.org/technology/opinion-the-laptop-revolutionhas-no-clothes/2006/10
Darling-Hammond, L., Zielezinski, M. B., & Goldman, S. (2014). Using technology to support at-risk students’ learning. Alliance for Education: Stanford Center for Opportunity Policy in Education (SCOPE). https://edpolicy.stanford.edu/sites/default/files/scope-pub-using-technology-report.pdf
Gallagher-Landis, J. (2017). One-to-one Chromebook: Impact on student achievement across content areas. 10621416. Doctoral Dissertation, Gwynedd Mercy University. ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global.
Hattie, J. (2018). Hattie’s ranking: 252 influences and effect sizes related to student achievement. VisibleLearning. https://visible-learning.org/hattie-ranking-influenceseffect-sizes-learning-achievement
Heubeck, E. (2022). What We’ve Learned From a Quarter Century of 1-to-1 Computing. https://www.edweek.org/technology/what-weve-learned-from-a-quarter-century-of-1-to-1-computing/2022/05
Johnson, A. M. D. S. (2017). Potential of one-to-one technology uses and pedagogical practices: Student agency and participation in an economically disadvantaged eighth-grade (Order No. 10619370). Available from ProQuest One Academic. (1952049138). https://bit.ly/3mk04MV
Novak, K. (2014). UDL Now!: A teacher’s Monday-morning guide to implementing Common
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Penuel, W. R. (2006). Implementation and effects of one-to-one computing initiatives: A research synthesis. Journal of Research on Technology in Education, 38(3), 329–348.
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Reich, J. (2020). A failure to disrupt: Why technology alone can’t transform education. Harvard University Press.
Saltmarsh, J. (2021). 1:1 Chromebooks In High School Classrooms: Teacher Perceptions Of Integration Efforts. All Theses And Dissertations. https://dune.une.edu/theses/349
Zheng, B., Warschauer, M., Lin, C. H., & Chang, C. (2016). Learning in one-to-one laptop environments: A meta-analysis and research synthesis. Review of Educational Research, 86(4), 1052–1084. https://doi.org/10.3102/0034654316628645
Zielezinski, M. B. (2016, May 19). What a decade of education research tells us about technology in the hands of underserved students. Edsurge. https://bit.ly/3lx80t7