Advantages and challenges of using portable computers in elementary and secondary school

Our study focuses on classrooms where each student has a portable computer, currently one of the most popular innovations in education. Our aim was first to determine teacher and student perceptions of the role of ICT in the development of writing skills. This study also aimed to identify the main advantages and challenges of using technologies regularly in the classroom. Through a questionnaire, we surveyed 2,712 students (from grades 3 to 11) and 389 teachers. The analysis of the questionnaire results shows the essential role that technologies play in fostering writing skills. Students report writing faster and better - both in terms of form and substance - and as a bonus they have more fun writing. Overall, the data collected during the study revealed 10 other major benefits from the thoughtful pedagogical use of technologies in the classroom, the most popular being student motivation.