“Technology is playing an increasing role in Southern California Conference schools,” according to Richard Carey, superintendent. “In addition to sponsoring our largest Robotics Challenge to date this year, with 10 schools participating, the East Valley Elementary School in Baldwin Park and South Bay Junior Academy in Torrance have been utilizing one-to-one laptop programs in their classrooms. A number of other SCC schools also are considering participation.”
“By using computers for both class and home work, teachers can teach topics comprehensively, letting students choose topics to research,” explained Warren Dale, L.A. Unified School District computer coordinator, who provided assistance and advice for the East Valley School program. “The student develops a topic proposal, answering the teacher’s questions and including basic details on the topic.
“We hardly spend any time teaching computers,” Paul Negrete, principal, pointed out. “The laptop is a tool, like a pen or crayons. However, this is a much more powerful ‘box of crayons.’ Laptops facilitate learning that is already taking place and enhance students’ ability to express themselves in relation to what they have learned.”
“South Bay Junior Academy initiated a one-on-one laptop program for all seventh through tenth graders in August 2007,” reported Susan Vlach, principal, “and we've been delighted with the results. Students lease the computers from the school and are responsible for their laptops. In the future, we will be assessing the feasibility of adding lower grades to the laptop program.”
“The program works extremely well in the classroom,” assessed Diane Voigt, one of three faculty members who teach SBJA students in the computer program. “For my eighth grade Bible students, we use the computers for 100 percent of our activities, except for discussions and hands-on demonstrations.” Her students also use computers fully in her English, reading, science and biology classes, except for written tests or when a laboratory manual or study guide is used. “Some work is printed out for display boards,” she noted.
Chris Watkins and Stephen Stokes also utilize the computer program in their teaching.
