Abstract

The State of Maine was the first state in the U.S.A (and in the world) to implement One-to-One Computing in schools in 2001. Former Governor of Maine, King Angus believed that students needed to acquire 21st Century Skills to have a sustainable future in the working force. Many schools in the U.S.A. started taking on the initiative of One-to-One Computing after Maine. Also in third world countries, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) along with major computer corporations provided subsidized laptops for many students worldwide. In the wake of 21st Century Skills, attaining One-to-One Computing has been a goal for most educational institutions. A private American School in Egypt initiated a pilot program providing all students in 7th and 8th grade with a laptop. In a qualitative study, based on interviews with the following: teachers, students and parents, it determined the impact One-to-One Computing had on Language Arts teaching and learning. The research examined how the One-to-One Computing Program altered teachers' pedagogical approach to teaching and how that impacted the way students learn. The research implied that teachers are more creative and has allowed for more student and peer collaboration amongst the students. Students also reported having acquired the skills needed for the 21St Century, which include: responsibility, creativity, technological literacy, and organization. One-to-One Computing has enabled students to access, review and summarize digital information quicker. 21st Century skills are required for success in the work force but should all countries and schools acquire One-to-One Computing programs? Is there a procedure that must be followed before the program is implemented in schools? The study concludes with suggestions and limitations to the study.

Department

International & Comparative Education Department

Degree Name

MA in International & Comparative Education

Graduation Date

Spring 5-22-2012

Submission Date

June 2013

First Advisor

Rissmann-Joyce, Stacie

Second Advisor

Norman, Peggy

Third Advisor

Osman, Gihan

Committee Member 1

Norman, Peggy

Committee Member 2

Osman, Gihan

Committee Member 3

Winter, Amal

Extent

49 p.

Document Type

Master's Thesis

Rights

The author retains all rights with regard to copyright. The author certifies that written permission from the owner(s) of third-party copyrighted matter included in the thesis, dissertation, paper, or record of study has been obtained. The author further certifies that IRB approval has been obtained for this thesis, or that IRB approval is not necessary for this thesis. Insofar as this thesis, dissertation, paper, or record of study is an educational record as defined in the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 USC 1232g), the author has granted consent to disclosure of it to anyone who requests a copy. The author has granted the American University in Cairo or its agents a non-exclusive license to archive this thesis, dissertation, paper, or record of study, and to make it accessible, in whole or in part, in all forms of media, now or hereafter known.

Institutional Review Board (IRB) Approval

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