Twenty-first century children are the first truly digital generation. They live and learn differently than children from even a few years ago. They live within and respond to the rapidly transmitted sights and sounds of the digital world-from television, computers, video games, and the Internet, to cell phones, PDAs, email, and instant messaging. Forward Edge can supply you with all of the technology necessary to make one-to-one learning a success for your school.
In one-to-one learning, each student has access to a wireless laptop to use at school and at home, enabling communication and collaboration among peers and teachers, and connecting parents to their children’s learning.
- Students have the computer 24 hours a day, seven days a week for true anytime, anywhere access
- Educators are provided digital tools to create learning plans, manage educational content, track student progress, and more
- Students take charge of their own learning through experiential, problem-based, multi-disciplinary activities
- Students can access homework assignments and school information online, anywhere and anytime they can connect to the Internet
- Students can research topics online, download coursework, check e-mail, and collaborate with other students, and submitting assignments online
- Parents and other caregivers are able to communicate with their children’s teachers and view daily classroom work and homework
Features 
In high school, where students take seven 45-minute long classes per day, each moment of instruction is valuable. One-to-one learning is a way to make every minute of education personalized for each student. The ubiquitous use of laptops elevates the use of the technology for instruction from a "special" resource to an integral part of the teaching and learning experience. Research is available that details the very positive impact that technology--particularly when implemented through one-to-onelaptop computer initiatives--can have on teaching and learning. Statistics show that one-to-one learning systems can:
- Lower rates of absenteeism and decrease disciplinary problems.
- Teach 21st century literacy skills--the new learning, communicating, and thinking skills of the Information Age--as well as general technology skills.
- Develop the teaching skills of participating teachers.
- Increase parental involvement and satisfaction.
- Improve student achievement, particularly literacy, across all core curriculum areas as demonstrated in a significant rise in standardized test scores.
- Encourage students to take charge of their own learning through experiential, problem-based, multi-disciplinary activities.
- Allow student’s access to homework assignments and school information online, anywhere and anytime they can connect to the Internet.
- Enables students to research topics online, download coursework, check e-mail, collaborate with other students, and submit assignments online.
In one district, after using laptops for only one year, the number of third- and fourth-grade students who are reading at-level and above increased by 12 percent, while the number of those experiencing difficulty in reading plummeted by 13 percent. There was also a 100 percent success rate on the written component of the Response to Literature rubric, which tests the ability to read and understand text materials. The district also saw a 26 percent decrease in absenteeism.
Two years of research confirm that a one-to-one learning program substantially improved student academic achievement. School District 60 reported a 14% increase in writing scores for its Grade 7 students after providing laptop computers to all sixth and seventh grade students across the district
Problems
Digital students often multitask in ways that previous generations could not imagine. For example, they might use a phone, a computer, instant messaging, and the Internet to collaborate on homework, all while watching television and listening to music. These kids respond to sensory input differently. Research indicates that constant exposure to multiple, overlapping sights and sounds has affected the neural pathways of digital kids’ brains. In fact, some researchers contend that multi-sensory input helps kids learn, retain, and use information better. Unfortunately, many classrooms don’t work that way. Pencil, paper, lecture, textbook, review, and test are still the norm. To digital kids, therefore, school has become less engaging, interesting, or relevant. In traditional classrooms:
· Students typically work on simple assignments that emphasize short-term content memorization.
· Students work alone, write for the teacher alone, and rarely make presentations.
· Slower writers often cannot capture all the notes.
Solutions
Today’s generation of students looks at technology as part of their everyday environment. To fully meet their needs, technology should be pervasive — always available. At Forward Edge, we appreciate the vision for the digital school — one computer for every student and teacher — is an enterprising one. Therefore, Forward Edge will provide a variety of solutions to get your school started on the road to one-to-one learning. There is a way to bridge the digital divide and engage students to make education relevant once again. How? Research shows that students with routine access to laptop computers score higher in writing assessments, demonstrate better analytical skills, engage in problem solving, and collaborate more effectively on schoolwork - all of which, ultimately, lead to higher student achievement. Students benefit from having a complete and accurate copy of the notes from which to study, making them more confident when taking exams. Let Forward Edge show you how to bring the success of one-to-one learning to your school. We have the time, talent and team to offer flexible, convenient and affordable way to bring mobile technology to your students. And from the back room to the classroom, we offer the most comprehensive technology infrastructure for learning, with high performance, high reliability systems, and software to meet your school’s education technology needs.