Free for All: A Case Study Examining Implementation Factors of One-to-One Device Programs

Despite significant investment in school one-to-one device programs, little is known about which aspects of program implementation work and why. Through a comparison of two implementation models, adopter-diffusion and saturation, using existing data from the One Laptop per Child Australia laptop program, we explore how factors of implementation may impact on device diffusion, learning and educational outcomes, and program sustainability in schools. The paper argues that more focused research into implementation of one-to-one device programs, moving beyond comparisons of 'devices versus without devices,' is needed to provide reliable data to inform future program funding and advance this area of research.