A three-year effort (1996-1999), funded by Microsoft and Toshiba, to study the introduction of ubiquitous laptop computing to U.S. public and independent schools. These definitional studies included typologies of implementation strategies, innovative methods to assess classroom and home use, studies of problem solving skills, analyses of changes in pedagogy and teacher and student attitudes, and established benchmarks for a range of variables. The “Rockman Report” is widely referenced and has served as the definitive laptop reference at school board meetings.

REPORTS:

Year 1: Report of a Laptop Program Pilot
Executive Summary and Full Report (download from Microsoft site)

Year 2: Powerful Tools for Schooling: Second Year Study of the Laptop Program
Executive Summary and Full Report (download from Microsoft site)

Year 3: A More Complex Picture: Laptop Use and Impact in the Context of Changing Home and School Access
Executive Summary and Full Report (download from Microsoft site) | Appendices (pdf)

RESOURCES:

Microsoft's Anytime, Anywhere Learning