Using Laptops to Enhance the Classroom Environment

Enhance your classroom environment

Using laptops to enhance the classroom environment requires the understanding of what the word enhance means with respect to education in the classroom and how this pertains to our era.

The word enhance, from the word enhaucer, dates back to the thirteenth century. It is in the contexts of 

raise, to add or contribute to, improve, increase or intensify. (1)

The use of laptop computers in the classroom is an excellent option for educators to pursue, in spite of the reality that there are numerous arguments to the contrary by those who are opposed to their usage. (Unfortunately, not everyone is in favor of allowing the use of any computers, desktop or laptop in classroom settings.)

Examine the question of how using laptops can enhance the classroom environment.

The use of laptops can raise academic awareness, in many areas of education.

For example, in a history class, the teacher and students can go to a search engine and find information about any era in history. They will have access to biographies or autobiographies for an English class.

In an art class, all of the work by a particular artist can be projected onto a wall, as the laptop computer can be used as a projector. All of the students are able to view this information and participate in the class together. A single laptop computer can be used to teach many students, at the same time.

The use of laptops can add or contribute to the realm of research.

For example, there are new research papers that are currently available on the Internet. This research may or may not be available in book form yet. By using search engines, a teacher and his or her students may be able to compile that information. They can use it to write papers or transfer it directly into a Word document. The students can be taught how to do endnotes and footnotes, as well as how to credit the sources. They may be able to publish their research findings directly in an e-book, on a web site or create a CD. By doing a project like this, they may be able to make enough money to purchase laptops for everyone.

Remote areas may have access to information that they may be unable to obtain otherwise.

For example, heath care teaching may not be available in certain parts of the country or the world, other than by a laptop computer in a classroom setting.

The use of laptops can help teachers and students to improve or develop new skills.

For example, teachers and students can use laptop computers to improve reading, writing, typing and graphic skills. Teachers and students will be able to develop their own individual web sites or blogs. They may have access to a computer thesaurus, dictionary or calculator that might not be available to them otherwise.

The use of laptops can increase the amount of knowledge available, from a global perspective.

For example, rather than listen to a lecture on a space program, the student will be able to access a web site that shows actual events in progress, rather than relying on information published in book format, at a later date. 

The use of laptops can intensify learning, as the students gain added insight and interest with respect to projects that they inquire into or research.

For example, a student interested in pursuing the topic of global warming can broaden his or her scope to include the effects of global warming, on the Arctic environment. Other students may be able to participate in a world hunger project.

The laptop computer is an excellent teaching, learning and research tool. As the teacher teaches, he or she is always learning also.

Like anything that is new, there will be objections to the use of laptop computers in classrooms. Many of these arguments have to do the lack of knowledge about laptop computers.

Computer training requirements may be an issue for both teachers and students. Others may argue against the cost factor, which is relatively high. There is cost in setting up a proper networking system that will accommodate all of the students. At this time, many students will not have laptop computers, even though they do have desktop computers, in their homes.

There is the reality that many people are afraid of computers. There may be issues of availability and reliability. Many people are fearful of education, books and other devices like typewriters, calculators and printers.

Proper management of the use of laptop computers in the classroom is a major concern. Laptop etiquette has to be taught, by educators. Teachers or designated assistants need to learn how to monitor laptop computer usage. There may be technical issues that have to be resolved as laptop computers, like desktop computers, can have problems.

It is not as if transition to computers in the classroom is easy, but the use of laptop computers in the classroom will grow in the future, regardless of needless apprehension on the part of a minority of people.

Why not enhance your classroom environment by using laptop computers?

(1) Webster's Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, Inc., Springfield, MA, 1983