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Laptops Initiative schools found that the organisation and management of mobile ICT requires careful attention to detail if teachers and students are to benefit fully. Schools with clearly-defined areas of responsibility and organisational systems, supported by the principal, found that access to ICT was maximised and difficulties with maintenance and other problems minimised.
While organisational systems need to be clear, they should not be overly-complicated as a delicate balance has to be struck between control and security on the one hand, and ease and accessibility on the other. Some core features of good management emerged from the Laptops Initiative.
Laptops Initiative schools developed a range of organisation documentation to assist with the monitoring and regulation of laptops. These samples can be altered to suit local school situations.
The organisation and management of mobile ICT was also greatly assisted by the promotion of student responsibility as this greatly minimised the depreciation of laptops.
Mobile ICT Organisation and Management – Core Features
Effective mobile ICT organisation and management systems that developed in the Laptops Initiative had the following core features:
- Clear delegation of responsibility, strongly supported by the principal
- Agreed and understood systems of control, supported by organisation documentation
- Consideration of security, while prioritising accessibility
- Building around the strengths of local personnel and circumstances
- End-users – mainly learning support personnel in this case – playing a central role in managing the technology
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Sample Organisation Documentation from the Laptops Initiative Schools
The following samples of organisation documentation were developed by Laptops Initiative schools and can be adapted for other contexts (these are available in the appendices of the 'Engaging Learners' book):
- Contracts with students and/or parents: from Terence Mac Swiney Community College, Cork
- Rules for Home Use: from St. Enda’s School, Galway
- Laptop Booking Form: from Boherbue Comprehensive School, Co. Cork
- Laptop Permission Form for Home Use: from Boherbue Comprehensive School, Co. Cork
- Laptop Problem Report Form: from Larkin College, Dublin
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Promoting Student Responsibility
Student responsibility with laptops was promoted by:
- The structured use of laptops in meaningful learning activities
- The teaching of core ICT competencies relevant to mainstream laptops use
- Fostering a sense of ‘ownership’, even when shared, by allowing personalisation of ‘desktop wallpaper’ and ‘user-settings’
- Involving parents through ‘open nights’ and home-school contracts
Responsibility was not encouraged where laptops were:
- Used in an ad hoc way or as an occasional ‘treat’ or ‘reward’
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