Laptop for Every Student

This is one of the most ambitious projects in SAB. We are planning to equip our students with state-of-the-art laptops and fast Internet connection in the very near future. The project will gradually distribute the laptops to students based on the criteria that will be announced in the coming few weeks.

What will providing a laptop for every student achieve?

This pilot project has five ambitious goals:

        Increased technology literacy among all SAB students
        Increased engagement of students in their schoolwork
        Lowered rates of absenteeism
        Decreased disciplinary problems
        Improved student achievement in all core curriculum areas

What proof is there that it works?

SAB now supports such a project throughout its regional centers, and has studied the effects on teaching habits and educational outcomes.

Teachers in SAB have successfully integrated technology into their interactions with students. Students have been using our LMS and SIS to document their achievements, which are often about an aspect of coursework in their programs of study. Overall, teachers observe in their students a higher level of engagement and lower level of absenteeism, particularly among students who were struggling in school before.

There is still no proof, though, that increased use of laptops boosts achievement. Therefore, it is fair to say that the goal of "improved student achievement" is theoretical. SAB views the project as a "laboratory model" and hopes to help gather data -- such as what lesson plans worked and which didn't - that can translate into "guidance and support", to assist other educational institution in the Kingdom that may choose to establish their own 1-to-1 laptop project. A laptop in every student lap is becoming the "international norm" - and why shouldn't it be the norm in the AOU? .