If you are a new Tech Director or Principal, or if you are new to Maine, or are “from away” but working on your own local learning through technology initiative, you might have questions about MLTI.
MLTI is the Maine Learning Technology Initiative, which started in 2002, providing 1to1 laptops to all 7th and 8th grade students and teachers in the state. From the beginning, we made the point of this being a learning initiative, not simply a tech buy.
The program has expanded over the years and the goals shifted. COVID saw MLTI shift to making sure that schools had access to technology. Currently, the state subsidizes districts buying student technology for one grade level per year, grades 1-12. The Maine DOE also has a cadre of MLTI Ambassadors who provide professional learning and support to districts around teaching and learning with technology.
MLTI is the only statewide 1to1 learning through technology initiative, and (depending on who you ask!) is currently the largest 1to1 program in the country.
Here are some places to get you started to learn more about MLTI…
The Maine Department of Education MLTI website:
Also, you might try these articles:
- Power of One to One – Early Findings from the Maine Learning Technology Initiative
- ASCD article on MLTI – Special Topic: Learning with Laptops
- Edutopia – An Entire State Commits to Laptops on Every Middle School Desktop
- School Tech: 6 Important Lessons From Maine’s Student Laptop Program (Mashable, Jan 2011)
Mike Muir 