Computers Are Elementary for Laptop Kids of Ladera Ranch

Forget about stealth viewing of DVDs in the back of the classroom when you’re supposed to be doing fractions.

Teachers at Chaparral Elementary in Ladera Ranch, one of the first schools in the nation to encourage elementary children to bring laptops as part of their regular school supplies, have figured out how to put the kibosh on that.

However, it remains to be seen how the computers will improve education and in what ways they will change the classroom for the elementary school students.

This summer, Kevin Rafferty, principal of the gleaming new elementary school in a South County community where all homes come wired for high-tech use, announced an innovative pilot project. He encouraged parents to buy $1,300 Macintosh iBooks for third-, fourth- and fifth-graders, with the promise that social studies and science, writing and math would come easier when taught with the help of a computer. Homework, too, would be more fun if done on a machine that also can be used to play games.

Some parents were captivated, and immediately bought the machines. At least one father decided to kill two birds with one stone, and got his son a deluxe machine that can also show movies during long car trips.

But other parents were suspicious--and worried. How could an 8-year-old who isn’t yet entrusted with house keys be expected to keep track of expensive machines? And what would happen in a classroom where some students had the machines and others didn’t?

“We all bought them,” said Kelly Santos, standing with a group of other moms waiting to pick up children at the end of the day. “I think it’s a great opportunity for kids to learn about technology.”

Some parents weren’t so sure.

“It’s the craziest idea I’ve ever heard of,” said Beth West, who on principle decided her daughter would not bring a laptop to school. “They don’t require them in junior high and high school. I think there are other ways to teach this.”

Despite these concerns, teachers said most classrooms had enough computers for all children the first day. Many students had their own laptops, and the school was able to muster up enough iMacs to cover those who did not.

Teachers were delighted to discover that most children already have excellent computer skills. And they were amused to see that some already were trying to run DVDs or computer games while appearing to be working away at their lessons. But teachers said that won’t be permitted, because they can see and control every student’s screen from their own machines.

However, Thursday was spent instructing some children how to turn the machines on and off, and introducing basic applications. Time well spent, they said.

“I was able to introduce something in one day that might take a month,” in a classroom where students don’t have their own computers, said third-grade teacher Jeff Guffy. Now his students can work on social studies and science lessons on their computers, which will allow them to construct visual aids with the click of a mouse.

Even traditional assignments and essays are easier when done on a computer, Guffy said. For example, students’ editing skills improve when they know they won’t have to laboriously recopy an essay to correct mistakes. Instead, they can print it out, bring it to their teacher for editing and then make the changes. They’re happier. Guffy is happier too, because he doesn’t have to puzzle over handwriting.

Guffy also pointed out one unusual school rule: All classroom doors will be locked, so students can leave their expensive machines on their desks while at recess.

This means when a group returns from the bathroom or a music lesson, they will have to press their faces against the glass doors and wait to be let in.

“It’s cool,” third-grader Thomas Brauner said. “I never had a laptop before. I wanted one to play games on.”