Project Description

The Laptops Initiative was a nationwide ICT-in-education initiative aimed at identifying how laptop computers could best be used to support students with dyslexia or other reading and writing difficulties in a manner that facilitates learning, and access to learning, in an inclusive environment. It was announced in December 2000 by the Minister for Education and Science and initial capital funding of £2million (€2.6m) was allocated. A copy of the press release announcing the initiative is available here.

Further information about the project is provided under the following headings:

1. Project Goal and Objectives
2. Participating Schools
3. Project Timescale and Sequence
4. Project Supports
5. Key Areas of Work Undertaken
6. Project Outcomes

1. Project Goal and Objectives

2. Participating Schools

Thirty-one second-level schools from around Ireland participated in the initiative, the majority of which were designated with disadvantaged status. Rather than being a ‘stand-alone’ project, the Laptops Initiative was intended to supplement schools’ existing provision. A list of the schools is available here.

3. Project Timescale and Sequence

4. Project Supports

The initiative was coordinated, funded and supported by the National Centre for Technology in Education (NCTE). Following the initial capital grant, the range of supports put in place included:

• Schools were issued with hardware specifications, software guidelines, and case studies of related initiatives
• Teacher release time was provided to assist in the coordination and running of the project
• A project coordinator was appointed to work fulltime on the initiative
• A series of meetings, planning workshops and other professional development events were held for both school teacher representatives and for Principals – in all, 18 days of events were held over a three-year period
• In particular, the NCTE’s ICT and Special Needs - Learning Support course was made available to participating schools
• Adequate substitution cover was provided for attendance at these various events
• Schools were encouraged to avail of the NCTE’s regular professional development courses on ICT and its use in the curriculum, which are available through the local education centres
• The national network of ICT advisors was available to provide support to participating schools at a local level and the NCTE’s full range of normal supports to schools was also available
•  A web-page for the project was established on the NCTE website to provide information to the public and to act as an internal project support through a password-protected working area – this is now superseded by this site
• A series of six project newsletters was produced, primarily intended for project participants and key interested parties
• Where necessary, some supplementary funding was provided to schools.

5. Key Areas of Work Undertaken

Key areas of work undertaken by the schools during the initiative included:

• The enhancement of functional literacy and curricular access through the use of laptops
• The development of a framework for the deployment of mobile technology in the differing organisational contexts of Irish post-primary schools
• Curricular initiatives based on the use of laptops and software, including the enhancement of teaching methodologies by incorporating the use of technology
• An evaluation of some of the main software programs used by schools in the initiative
• A focus on the inclusionary effects of ICT use through the enhancement of students’ self-esteem and motivation, along with the development of inclusive forms of learning support
• An examination of the practicalities of everyday laptop and software management in busy school environments
• The development of collaborative practice, including learning support teachers and ‘mainstream’ teachers liaising and collaborating in the use of laptops by students with literacy difficulties in mainstream situations 

6. Project Outcomes

In 2004, the NCTE commissioned a final evaluation report of the Laptops Initiative and appointed Dr. Yota Dimitriadi and Mr. Nick Peacey to carry out the work. Based in the Institute of Education at the University of London, this team has extensive research and evaluation experience in the relevant fields of education. The Evaluation Report concluded that the project succeeded in achieving its objectives and that it contributed significantly to our understanding in the field. The report also made a range of recommendations arising from the project.

In addition to the Evaluation Report, the NCTE produced the ‘Engaging Learners’ book and DVD, along with this website, to make the learning from the Laptops Initiative available to the wider education community.

The Laptops Initiative formally ended in May 2005.