Portable computers: a catalyst for collaboration? a study of how the use of multimedia portable computers in primary schools can affect teacher and pupil collaboration

Abstract

This article arises from an evaluation of the Welsh Office Multimedia Portables Project1998–1999, in which two teachers from each of 54 primary and junior schools and one special school in Wales were provided with multimedia portables to explore the impact of their introduction. A particular aim was to improve pupil attainment in the area of Key Stage 2 literacy through the use of information and communications technology. From this evaluation different stages of development in collaborating and networking emerge and the factors that contribute to progression in both teachers and pupils are identified and examined. The article discusses some of the issues surrounding the use of technology in the primary years and goes on to relate features of the project to conditions for change and McDougall & Squires's (1997) framework for evaluating teacher professional development. It concludes by suggesting that the use of portables in the primary school can lead to wider collaboration and networking and identifies factors that may influence this progression.