Worldwide Web to GO!

Paulette Manville, Debate, Mock Trial Teacher and Coach, and Jennifer Stucky, Debate, Forensics Teacher and Coach

• $3,510 — Provide two Durabook 14.1 AMD Turion Notebook Computers and one HP Deskjet 460CB Mobile Printer, carrying case and power cord to allow off-campus Internet access for debate teams.
• Grades 9, 10, 11, and 12, for a total number of approximately 300 students per year impacted.
• Offers a unique opportunity for the high school student to learn the practical application of their research and writing skills in a setting that simulates the college classroom and the workplace.

For years, effective research and writing have been the hallmarks of great debate, forensics, and mock trial programs. With the widespread availability of computers and Internet access, students in these classes have been able to hone their skills to a level of competency never even imagined just ten years ago. As the use of computers has become more commonplace in our homes and workplaces, these research and writing skills have moved outside the four walls of our classrooms and offices. The availability and affordability of laptop computers with wireless capabilities have made the “on the go” use of wireless computers and the Internet an essential skill to be learned in high schools and used in our colleges and in our jobs. With over 300 students enrolled and participating in debate, forensics and mock trial each year, these classes offer a unique opportunity for the high school student to learn the practical application of their research and writing skills in a setting that simulates the college classroom and the workplace.

The goal of this technology grant is to provide students an opportunity to learn how to transfer their computer skills from a classroom setting to a setting that simulates the time demands and collaborative environment of the workplace and college by:

1. Students will learn to take notes on the laptop during debate/forensics/mock trial competitions and practices.
2. Students will learn to process notes and develop arguments on the laptop during debate/mock trial competitions and practices.
3. Students will learn to do research, process the research and generate usable material at the site of debate/mock trial competitions and practices.
4. Students will learn how to share information, combine research and develop group presentations while at debate/forensics/mock trials competitions and practices.

Students learn the use of computers in high school now. They practice these skills at home and in a school environment that has few time constraints. This opportunity will help students learn the practical application of a laptop computer in a workplace type environment where efficiency, time limitations and teamwork place additional demands on their computer skills.

This project will start in August [2006] and run the length of the school year. During the fall semester, debate students will take the laptop computers to debate tournaments, and during the spring semester, forensics students and mock trial students will use the laptops at tournaments, competitive trials and practices. Students will use the laptops for out-of-classroom experiences that simulate the integration of technology in college and the workplace.

The request is for two laptop computers for student use off-campus. Although there are laptop computers in the classroom, they may NOT be taken out of the building. These laptops are not designed for the type of heavy usage and hard treatment they will get by traveling with a group of high school students each weekend. The laptops requested were made for the military’s use in Iraq – they have special impact-resistant cases, the batteries are sealed and the keyboard is impervious to liquid. They come with a padded case and wireless connection. The printer is specifically designed for mobile use. It folds up, has a hard, shock-resistant case and antivibration design. It weighs only 4.6 pounds and has a rechargeable battery.

Grant awarded February 2006