Four case studies of educational technology programs are described: 1) A preschool that engages students in project-based learning centered around their interests, such as a simulation of a trip to Brazil after researching the country. 2) A program in Maine that provides middle school students with laptops, which helps level learning opportunities and allows students to independently research and publish their work. 3) A third grade history project where students document their town's history through photos, videos and a website to share with other classes. 4) An elementary school considered one of the most wired, with technology integrated into daily lessons, student work and communication between teachers, families and students.

1. Four Case Study Blogs
EDU 741, Survey of Educational Technology
Brandy Shelton
Case Study #1
“Five-Year-Olds Pilot their Own Learning Project” is great example of project-based
learning at its best. The video took a closer look at the Auburn Early Education Center
which caters to three to five-year-olds. The education center believes in teaching
children through authentic learning opportunities that harness their interest so that
learning is something they want to do. For example, teachers talk to students about
something they want to know more about and then research their topic. Then when they
have enough research to develop a project, students, teachers, and parent volunteers
put together a simulation that allows students to put their new discoveries into action.
After studying Brazil, students went on an “airplane” to visit the country, complete with
security checks, baggage claim, and flight attendants. All the learning starts with
curiosity and a place to research. Each classroom has a Smartboard that has been
fitted so that all students can interact with it.
This video really caught my eye because of the intense learning that is occurring with
students that are so young. Many of us hope to have this type of authentic learning and
intrinsic motivation within our own classrooms, but I think the answer is bigger than a
single classroom. The entire school community is invested in the students’ learning and
it really shows. There isn’t just one classroom who is working on project-based learning,
so it’s easier to collaborate with fellow teachers and resources. The school has a great
idea and support base.
Case Study #2
“Leading with Laptops” is an example of what can happen when a state decides to put
education at the forefront of its priorities. The state of Maine had an unusual budget
surplus that the governor decided would be best spent to educate the students of Maine
using education. Former Governor Angus King wanted “to make [his students] the most
digitally literate society on Earth.” All middle school students within the district have
access to their own iBook, or Mac laptop computer, which they use daily in the
classrooms and on fieldtrips. King believes that the laptops have acted as “an equity
tool,” leveling the playing field for all students no matter what their background might be.
Students take the information they have collected or researched during fieldtrips or
class projects and put them together to publish their findings and essentially make it
their own. Another thing that the state did was educate and train their teachers. One
teacher described how once he was trained and understood the power of the
technology at the students’ fingertips, he was actually doing less work and the students
were doing more.
Both videos also talk about the “Fading Footprints” program that was put together at
one of the high schools. Students researched different animals and put together their
research onto a CD-Rom and website to showcase what they have learned. The laptops
have made some students feel like the challenge makes them work harder and helps

2. them become better students because they’re more interested in the task at hand. What
a great way to spend a surplus budget!
Case Study #3
“The Geo-Literacy Project” is a program from the Tolenas Elementary School in
Fairfield, California. They put together a project that has third grade students acting as
the historians, authors, photographers, and videographers in showcasing the local
area’s history. They are also using local historians and high school students to aid in
their research. Retired teachers and members of the community also pitched in by
presenting the class with different artifacts from the area so that the class could take
pictures and video of them to share with other classes on their website. High school
students added their expertise by helping students learn how to use the digital cameras
to maximize the visual aspects of their findings. The teacher’s goal was to have
students understand that there is a meaning for what they are learning, that it’s not just
a hoop to jump through. The students are hopeful that by starting their own geo-literacy
project, other classes from all over the nation will be motivated to start their own so that
information can be shared and exchanged.
I loved this video and ideas because I teach local history to my third graders as well.
The field trips we go on and the experiences we try to help our students grasp are often
so broad that something like this will give them focus and direction. What a great way to
publish and share what the students have found and studied!
Case Study #4
“Classroom Connections” is a video from Mary Scrogg’s Elementary School in Chapel
Hills, North Carolina. The school is one of the most “wired schools in the country.” Just
about everything they do is facilitated by some sort of technology. From the
kindergarten web pages that post the day’s happenings, to each morning’s
announcements that are televised into each classroom. The school has 4 to 5 desktop
computers in each classroom and there are three wireless labs of iBook computers.
Each student has their own log-in information which allows students to go on to any
computer in the school and access all of their files. Students work on anything from
word processing documents to publish their writing, to spreadsheets that help them
organize their stocks. The school has also worked on making computers available to all
of the families even the ones who are not able to afford the internet or equipment.
Families that are on free or reduced lunch qualify for a free computer and discounted
internet access.
The school has also revamped the old design that many of the elementary schools once
adopted. Instead they opted to have “porches” that are great for science experiments
and outdoor activities. The school also included classrooms that have wall space that
student work can easily be displayed, nooks for smaller groups to work, and an office
with a phone for each teacher. They layout of the school paired with the strong use of
technology has made Mary Scrogg’s Elementary School one of the strongest in
connecting teachers with families, and drawing in new teachers.