Laptops In Lessons

Benefits of Laptops in Lessons

Purchasing laptop computers and software can be an expensive undertaking. Are you getting value for money from such an investment?

In the early days of implementing a one-to-one programme, the presence of laptop computers may seem to the teacher anything but a benefit. As familiarity grows and the range of teaching strategies increases, the benefits become apparent.

This area of the Transum website is designed to share thoughts about how easy access to ICT benefits teaching and learning.

Top Ten Benefits

1. Research supports the view that carefully considered use of ICT improves learning.
2. Provides students with access to resources in digital form that would be impossible to provide otherwise.
3. Students can rely on always having a device to interact with their schoolwork and to plan their time.
4. Software configurations will be the same at school as at home (and anywhere else).
5. The portable nature of the device means students can use it to collect science data outdoors, record PE skills, and take the laptop on field trips to collect real data for use in Mathematics lessons.
6. Smaller footprint than a desktop computer and less of an obstacle to eye contact.
7. They have been shown to help students take greater ownership of their learning and thus become more independent learners.
8. Provides multiple opportunities for easy communication between teachers and students.
9. Students don’t have to carry around textbooks and so many exercise books.
10. Lessons tend to be more ‘hands-on’ and engaging for students.

Activity Ideas

Do you have any comments? It is always useful to receive feedback and helps make this free resource even more useful for those learning Mathematics anywhere in the world. What is your experience of using laptops in lessons? Do you have any good ideas or suggestions? Click here to enter your comments.