The term 1:1 computing in education is now redefined to a situation where students have access to a device per individual that is used in the teaching as a tool for learning.
Historically, the programs have centered around the following devices: The level of education will influence the type of adoption, through factors such as: user-readiness, budget, expected merits, and cost-benefits.
[5] One-to-one computing offers the benefits of equal access, standardization, easy upgrades, simple networking and the ability to monitor student progress and online behavior.
These benefits also underlie the one-to-one model of One Laptop per Child (OLPC), a charity that aims to issue electronic devices to millions of children in the developing world.
Because 1:1 computing programs may have many goals, from improving educational outcomes to increasing equality, and are associated with such a wide range of teaching methods, it is also difficult to judge their overall success or value.
One notable benefit that has been documented and researched is the potential for 1:1 computing initiatives to support the use of open educational resources (OER), available in digital form, for ubiquitous access by learners.
In a field as new as 1:1 with the technology used having undergone major changes it may take time for clear patterns to emerge and be agreed on.
Schools and districts in areas with low incomes and high rates of homelessness have argued that Chromebook programs compare positively to paper for homework return-rates.
This has resulted in school districts transitioning from a traditional repair model to treating Chromebooks as a disposable device.
In addition to the cost of purchasing devices, the Cost-of-Ownership is not insignificant and can include connectivity/WiFi, charging-facilities/caddys, implementation, training, software licensing, monitoring, security, upgrades and maintenance.
Aside from the technical costs the changing of the teaching itself is labour-intensive and may require professional development, licensing, re-writing materials, re-designing lesson plans.
If one looks at the documents they increased their numbers of Chromebooks and have mature planning processes including cooperation with Boston College research.
As the cost of internet services and data charges fall WIFI speeds and accessibility has increased to the point that it is no longer a limiting factor for users of Chromebooks and other devices used for education.
1:1 also enabled going paperless (i.e. publishers supplied cheaper digital versions of teaching materials) and reducing the cost on paper/printers used.
In addition, Plan Ceibal provides programs, educational resources and teacher training courses that transform the ways of teaching and learning.".
[17] Since the original hardware was Fedora based Uruguay has held the top-spot of Linux uptake for years, according to statcounter.
[21] Which explains the success "This became Google’s education marketing playbook: Woo school officials with easy-to-use, money-saving services.
The impact of one-to-one Chromebook devices and the pervasive use of Google's software products in American education cannot be overstated.