It is premature to celebrate the success of Michigan's laptop program for teachers, however, the "Laptops help prepare future educators" article from Wayne State University offers more promise than many programs that I have ranted about here on CTDT.
- The program includes what I consider all of the following essential elements:
- a laptop for each prospective teacher in the program (even if it is a Mac)
- software
- remote Internet access
- Web-based professional development
Perhaps the most encouraging read from the article is the following:
"...the addition of the iBooks has not only been educational for the students, but also the (university)faculty. Faculty are willing to take risks and even ask the students for help if they don't know how to do something,”
Dr. Mary Waker, curriculum support Center director in the College of Education
I will be watching for research studies that follow this particular program. This may be the best that I have seen in higher education.