Abigail Magaro EDET 780 May 27, 2013 Introduction This year I have been a substitute in Lexington District

1. The first thing I noticed when subbing at a middle school was that every student had an I-pad. The students were given an I-pad to use for the school year with the expectation they would be returned at the end of the year. The elementary schools in this district were given around 6 I-pads per classroom to use for the school year, along with every teacher getting an I-pad to take home and use for the year. I wanted to take a look and see whether one-to-one computing is as beneficial as the majority of people think. Dissertation #1 A Case Study of One-to-One Computing: The Effects on Teaching and Learning. Meyer, Richard C. (2007) A Case Study of One-to-One Computing: The Effects on Teaching and Learning. Degree of Doctor of Education, dissertation. University of Nebraska. Retrieved on May 25, 2013 from Dissertations and Theses. Full Text http://search.proquest.com.pallas2.tcl.sc.edu/pqdtft/docview/304839961/13E4D D2A8B953FE0FCD/4?accountid=13965 Summary The study evaluates the changes in the classroom with the implementation of oneto-one computing. The researcher asked teachers, principals, assistant principals, and media specialists their opinions and views of one-to-one computing. One theme arose from each interview. Each interviewee mentioned the increase in student motivation. The teachers who were interviewed also noted that they have seen an increase in active learning strategies. Review It is interesting to me that all interviewees mentioned the increase in student motivation. When I was observing students using one-to-one computing with Ipads, many of the students were using the I-pads, but not for their intended purposes. I-pads were not around when this dissertation was written so perhaps if this study was conducted again, the results may be different. Dissertation #2 Distributed Learning in Designing Curriculum in a One-to-One Computing Environment. Smith, Ronald H. (2009). Distributed Learning in Designing Curriculum in a One-toOne Computing Environment. Doctor of Education in Educational Technology, dissertation. Pepperdine University. Retrieved May 25, 2013 from Dissertations and Theses. Full Text. http://search.proquest.com.pallas2.tcl.sc.edu/pqdtft/docview/305181452/13E4D D2A8B953FE0FCD/7?accountid=13965 Summary

The study looks at one-to-one computing and if teachers are using the technology to its full potential. The researcher also dives into the relationship between technology use and student achievement. Analysis showed that most teachers were able to design their curriculum with the use of technology resources. The data also showed that classroom where students had all day availability to computers, only half of the teachers included computer technology into their daily activities. Student achievement was increased with the increased use of computers in the classroom. Review The researcher spent a lot of time determining if teachers were using the technology in designing their curriculums, however there was not a lot of focus as to what the students were doing with their computers. In my opinion, the study should have focused more on the student and their opinions of the one-to-one computing and if they feel as if they are benefitting. I do like the fact that the researcher pointed out that teachers who have more experience with 21st century technology will use it more, but they are also more likely to work collaboratively with their fellow teachers and share information. Dissertation #3 Handheld Computing and the Effects of the One-to-One Ratio on Learning Alexiou-Ray, Jennifer. (2006). Handheld Computing and the Effects of the One-toOne Ratio on Learning: Parental Perceptions and Student Attitudes. Doctor of Philosophy, dissertation. University of Alabama. Retrieved May 28, 2013 from Dissertations and Theses. Full Text http://search.proquest.com.pallas2.tcl.sc.edu/pqdtft/docview/305350957/13E515 FE4EC153E8E2D/5?accountid=13965 Summary The study takes a look at hand held computing devices used in a fifth grade classroom. The researcher analyzes students attitudes before and after a nine week trial of using the computing devices as part of their everyday activities. The students were asked if their attitudes towards technology have changed and their work analyzed to see if the technology benefitted their learning. Questionnaires were sent home to parents and it asked them about their childs study habits and their perceptions towards hand held computing devices in the classroom. Review I really enjoyed this dissertation and the way it was written. During the data analysis, the researcher not only lists the research questions again, but she used the data to answer those questions. For each question the researcher discusses all data pertaining to that particular question. Interview questions and answers between students, parents, and teachers are used so that the reader can fully understand the link between her summary of the questions and the data justifying the summary.