The Role of One-to-One Computing in the Education of at-Risk High-School Students

In recent years, there has been a movement in many districts and schools towards one-to-one laptop programs, where all students are provided with a laptop computer. This chapter summarizes the evidence base on the ways in which laptops can change traditional learning environments in K-12 schools. Subsequently, we provide examples that illustrate ways in which teachers and students use laptops to alter teaching and learning processes, transform the quality of instruction, and improve student outcomes. These examples are generated from a 3-year longitudinal investigation focusing on the design, implementation, and outcomes of a laptop initiative for students with learning disabilities in a career and technical education high school in the U.S. We analyze and discuss these examples using learning sciences principles on the design of effective learning environments.