Research Papers: getting started

Our new set of laptops made their way into a freshman class for the first time. The students were excited, chatty and anxious to use them. After giving them the initial "laptop lecture" they were underway. Starting their research papers on the laptops allowed the teacher to help them with their introductions while they gained some very important tech skills. She could easily help them edit their intros, rearrange text, etc. while I handled all the tech questions.

First time in the classroom I tell the students:

• backpacks under desks so I don't trip while carrying a laptop
• nothing on the desktop under the laptop, or it will slip off the desk
• do not touch the webcam lens or push on the light. OK to try the light button, wow, neato.
• the fingerprint reader will bring up a security window if brushed with wrist, etc.... just cancel the window
• check the battery time to be sure there is enough left to get through the class period
• do not get up from your desk during class while laptops are being used! raise a hand!
• always bring a flash drive to school for saving documents
• be sure to have an accessible email address in your My Louisville account!

The value of using laptops during the development of a research paper will be more obvious when they need to format bibliography entries, make outlines, etc. so the teacher can correct mistakes before they do the whole thing incorrectly. BUT, doing something simple like this was perfect for the first time bringing in the laptops. Bravo!