Chapter 11: Exploring The Role Of Laptop Computers in A Field-Based Elementary Methods Course

In the fall of 2002, 20 University of Houston Pedagogy for Urban Multicultural Action teacher candidates were recruited to participate in a laptop pilot study. The decision to promote two “Laptop PUMA Clusters” was initiated during summer Partnership for Quality Education (PQE) design team meetings where educators from two local school districts and the university worked together to prepare innovative course syllabi that included the “paperless” possibility of integrating technology into an existing field-based preparation program. This study describes the experience of the teacher candidates and methods instructors as they explored how to move beyond basic technology use and move toward more meaningful, substantive classroom laptop implementation.