3. Combine rich information
with powerful tools in a strategic manner
Before designing a network, the planning group should begin to clarify what students will actually be doing with the new technologies. This clarification will begin with a full listing of questions worth considering such as the following:
- Which curriculum concepts, themes and issues will students explore as part of this initiative?
- Which kinds of information sources (electronic and print) will they require to complete a thorough investigation?
- How will students sit? Alone? In pairs? In trios?
- How much time will be desired at a sitting?
- How frequently and for what duration will they need access?
- Will they need access within the social studies classroom or science classroom or further down the hall in the school library or a computer lab?
- What reference tools will they need?
- What mindware like Inspiration will best support and extend their thinking?
- What will the teacher be doing? How will the role of the teacher change, if at all?
- What spatial organization of the new technologies will best support the kinds of learning and teaching activities that are anticipated? Should equipment be in rows or peripheral?
- Would wireless notebooks work best?
