More examples

Christopher using technology as a means to take notes (at interviews for potential charter school teachers).  At this point, given that some have had access to these laptops for two plus years, many are very adept at typing and most prefer typing to writing.  Though, of course, they write. :)

Autumn proud of the Individual Learning Plan she created.  Autumn prefers laptop to paper.

Mackenzie sharing with the group.
This is not an exaggeration: Students know about the technical parts of technology.  They can 'hook things up', solve technical issues, and explain roadblocks with reasons and in ways I never have been able to.  This access to technology for these digital natives has allowed them to have a high level of confidence and know-how that is not likely to be evident in students who occasionally use technology tools.

This is a perfect example of a student processing learning in his own way.  Max knows himself and what he needs to learn.  One of the things he does to help himself process information is to use sticky notes to organize and then he further processes through reorganizing the information in the most meaningful way to him on his laptop.

This is an 'access to information' example.  Grandma Jeri came to teach us about knitting.  It was SO interesting.  Among many items, she brought in a full dress that her great grandma had knit 100 years ago.  She also shared with us something called 'Yarn Bombing' (see picture above).  A handful of students were enthralled by the yarn bombing.  Because of the ubiquity of information from having a class set of laptops, their busy little brains dove into learning about yarn bombing, the history, peoples' reactions in public, and the how-tos of it all.  The immediate access plays a big role in student engagement and interest in content.