Research on the Benefits of 1:1 Learning*

by Colleen Worrell, Secondary Technology Integration Coordinator 

 

As we prepare for Year 3 of our 1:1 Program, we wanted to share some benefits and research on learning in a one-to-one laptop environment with 8th grade families, as well as with our high school students and their parents: 

Benefits for Students 

• Increased Interest in Learning (Bebell & Kay, 2010; Cavanaugh, Dawson & White, 2007)
• Increased Engagement and Reduced Behavior Referral (Berry & Wintle, 2009; Corn & Mollette, 2011; Bebell & Kay, 2010; Bebell & O'Dwyer, 2010; Sauer & McLeod, 2012; Walker, Johnson, & Silvernail, 2013)
• Better Organized, More Efficient (Silvernail & Lane, 2004; Walker, Johnson, & Silvernail, 2013)
• More Self-Directed (Gulek & Demirtas, 2005)
• Higher Test Scores for Writing and Higher Quality of Writing (Sauer & McLeod, 2012; Walker, Johnson, & Silvernail, 2013)
• Deeper Level of Comprehension in Science Learning (Berry & Wintle, 2009) 
• Enhanced Frequency and Quality of Student-Teacher Communication (Corn, 2009; Corn, Tagsold, & Patel, 2011)
• Increased 21st-Century Skills (Cavanaugh, Dawson & White, 2007; Corn & Mollette, 2011; Gulek & Demirtas, 2005; Sauer & McLeod, 2012)
• Access to Global Learning Opportunities (Walker, Johnson, & Silvernail, 2013)

Benefits for Teachers 

• More Student Centered Strategies (Bebell & Kay, 2010; Lowther, Strahl, Inan, & Bates, 2007; Walker, Johnson, & Silvernail, 2013)
• Individualized Curriculum to meet Diverse Student Needs (Silvernail & Lane, 2004; Walker, Johnson, & Silvernail, 2013)
• Movement toward Constructivist Teaching, Student-Led Inquiry, and Collaborative Work (Gulek & Demirtas, 2005; Walker, Johnson, & Silvernail, 2013)
• More Creative, Customized, and Collaborative Lessons (Corn, Tagsold, & Patel, 2011; Corn & Mollette, 2011; Gulek & Demirtas, 2005; Walker, Johnson, & Silvernail, 2013) 
• More Collaborative and Project-Based Instruction (Bebell & Kay, 2010; Walker, Johnson, & Silvernail, 2013 
• Enhanced Frequency and Quality of Communication Between Teachers, Students, Parents, & Administrators  (Corn, 2009; Corn, Tagsold, & Patel, 2011)
• Increased Job Satisfaction/Decreased Turnover (Corn & Mollette, 2011)

*NOTE: I modeled this on Waltham Public School's 1:1 Learning Initiative presentation, adding more current research and adjusting the benefits accordingly.