Developing a Research Agenda for Ubiquitous Computing in Schools

Increasing numbers of states, districts, and schools provide every student with a computing device; for example, the middle schools in Maine maintain wireless Internet access and the students receive laptops. Research can provide policymakers with better evidence of the benefits and costs of 1:1 computing and establish which factors make 1:1 computing more or less effective. To think about the research that is most needed, a framework is discussed focusing on critical features of 1:1 initiatives (e.g., the technology used), interactions and intermediate outcomes (e.g., impacts on teaching and instruction), and ultimate outcomes (e.g., impacts on students and their learning). Some especially high priorities for research on 1:1 computing are identified and discussed, including: investigating the impacts on student achievement, especially for low-achieving students; understanding better the costs of 1:1 computing; and documenting the implementation and impacts of large-scale 1:1 initiatives.