In fact, I managed to obtain a Biochemistry degree without owning a laptop or smartphone during college, and my recent acquisition of a tablet has led to even MORE procrastination rather than studying.

Also, reading from an LCD screen hurts your eyes.  Paper is a much softer expressor of words.

Like you said, the problem is not lazy students, parents, teachers or administrators but a lack of support for the educational system.  Unfortunately, 80% of taxpayers have little or no connection to the educational system so to ask them for more of their money to fund schools is a long shot.  :/

Naturally, things have improved. Many teachers and lecturers create documents, even PDFs for students (virtually any child over the age of 11 could run rings around them). Even sophisticated technology plays a regular part in schools and colleges; but the cost of this kit remains an issue for most and a huge problem for many parents.

I think Apple’s move is about 18-24 months too early; by then really effective portable devices will be widespread and cheaper. Had this idea been implemented with e-ink readers it could have been viable.

Naturally, things have improved. Many teachers and lecturers create documents, even PDFs for students (virtually any child over the age of 11 could run rings around them). Even sophisticated technology plays a regular part in schools and colleges; but the cost of this kit remains an issue for most and a huge problem for many parents.

I think Apple’s move is about 18-24 months too early; by then really effective portable devices will be widespread and cheaper. Had this idea been implemented with e-ink readers it could have been viable.

Naturally, things have improved. Many teachers and lecturers create documents, even PDFs for students (virtually any child over the age of 11 could run rings around them). Even sophisticated technology plays a regular part in schools and colleges; but the cost of this kit remains an issue for most and a huge problem for many parents.

I think Apple’s move is about 18-24 months too early; by then really effective portable devices will be widespread and cheaper. Had this idea been implemented with e-ink readers it could have been viable.

Naturally, things have improved. Many teachers and lecturers create documents, even PDFs for students (virtually any child over the age of 11 could run rings around them). Even sophisticated technology plays a regular part in schools and colleges; but the cost of this kit remains an issue for most and a huge problem for many parents.

I think Apple’s move is about 18-24 months too early; by then really effective portable devices will be widespread and cheaper. Had this idea been implemented with e-ink readers it could have been viable.

Text books – Three of the biggest text book publishers have signed exclusive deals with iBooks. So – no iPad, no access – Brilliant! The cost of physical text books from these publishers may rise as a result – even better! 

Now if these electronic text books were published as PDFs (even with DRM) so that ANY device could read them, this could be a truly democratising “liberal arts” move – but its just cunningly disguised  marketing bonanza from the second richest company on earth. 

As Zaphod Beeblebrox might say, to the people cheering the latest Apple money making stunt.
“OK dudes – 10 out of 10 for style – but minus several million for good sense. Freeeeowww”

Check out Zaphod Beeblebrox on wikipedia. Essentially Steve Jobs in space.

Text books – Three of the biggest text book publishers have signed exclusive deals with iBooks. So – no iPad, no access – Brilliant! The cost of physical text books from these publishers may rise as a result – even better! 

Now if these electronic text books were published as PDFs (even with DRM) so that ANY device could read them, this could be a truly democratising “liberal arts” move – but its just cunningly disguised  marketing bonanza from the second richest company on earth. 

As Zaphod Beeblebrox might say, to the people cheering the latest Apple money making stunt.
“OK dudes – 10 out of 10 for style – but minus several million for good sense. Freeeeowww”

Check out Zaphod Beeblebrox on wikipedia. Essentially Steve Jobs in space.

In America Macs are widely used in schools and universities (partly because they are subsidised and cost less there anyway); but in Europe the Mac:PC cost differential is greater and they are less common. If you could buy an EXPANDABLE iPad for £200-250 in the UK, this idea would make more economic sense. Back in the real world, iPad2s cost £450-650 and they are NOT expandable. Considerably more than basic laptops – which are proper productive tools with ten times the storage and full connectivity.

Text books – Three of the biggest text book publishers have signed exclusive deals with iBooks. So – no iPad, no access – Brilliant! The cost of physical text books from these publishers may rise as a result – even better! 

Now if these electronic text books were published as PDFs (even with DRM) so that ANY device could read them, this could be a truly democratising “liberal arts” move – but its just cunningly disguised  marketing bonanza from the second richest company on earth. 

As Zaphod Beeblebrox might say, to the people cheering the latest Apple money making stunt.

“OK dudes – 10 out of 10 for style – but minus several million for good sense. Freowww”

In case your wondering: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zaphod_Beeblebrox 

In America Macs are widely used in schools and universities (partly because they are subsidised and cost less there anyway); but in Europe the Mac:PC cost differential is greater and they are less common. If you could buy an EXPANDABLE iPad for £200-250 in the UK, this idea would make more economic sense. Back in the real world, iPad2s cost £450-650 and they are NOT expandable. Considerably more than basic laptops – which are proper productive tools with ten times the storage and full connectivity.

Text books – Three of the biggest text book publishers have signed exclusive deals with iBooks. So – no iPad, no access – Brilliant! The cost of physical text books from these publishers may rise as a result – even better! 

Now if these electronic text books were published as PDFs (even with DRM) so that ANY device could read them, this could be a truly democratising “liberal arts” move – but its just cunningly disguised  marketing bonanza from the second richest company on earth. 

As Zaphod Beeblebrox might say, to the people cheering the latest Apple money making stunt.

“OK dudes – 10 out of 10 for style – but minus several million for good sense. Freowww”

In case your wondering: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zaphod_Beeblebrox 

I’m thinking of that great example of the school in CA during the Clinton administration that was being set up as an example of what could be done.   All new technology, new stadiums, lower teacher to student levels, updated everything.    Several Billion poured into 1 school which served underprivileged students in the hope that it would set an example of what could be done with more resources.  Needless to say, it never was publicized much because it was an abysmal failure… grades didn’t go up.    Students quitting school didn’t go down.  On every metric level, more money didn’t help.  

The issue wasn’t solely more resources.

I’m thinking of that great example of the school in CA during the Clinton administration that was being set up as an example of what could be done.   All new technology, new stadiums, lower teacher to student levels, updated everything.    Several Billion poured into 1 school which served underprivileged students in the hope that it would set an example of what could be done with more resources.  Needless to say, it never was publicized much because it was an abysmal failure… grades didn’t go up.    Students quitting school didn’t go down.  On every metric level, more money didn’t help.  

The issue wasn’t solely more resources.

It is apparent from your article that you cared deeply about your students. I’m sure you reached more of them and had a positive impact on their lives more than you think.

I think your argument on cost saving is a bit naive. You assume that parents have access to the Internet at home, and the knowledge to use it. And I’d have to see a detailed breakdown of the cost savings in buying a tablet vs. buying textbooks. The math touted is $75 for a textbook that is used for 5 years, vs. $15 for a better digital version that a student will have use for over a year. That would work, except that many schools do not let students take their textbooks home, they are shared among multiple classes. If I share textbooks between only 2 classes, then the tablet costs are already twice as high, before I even factor in the cost of the tablets, plus all the associated costs (support, repair, power consumption, etc). 

Rich schools have much different problems than schools that lack sufficient funding, but if you really care about solving the biggest problems in education, you need to raise the tide and pull up the boats at the bottom first.

However, the arguments set forth in the debate now are saying that technology makes education easier and better – which, to a certain point, cannot really be argued against. Access to the Internet has been shown to be an important indicator in student success. Additionally, there are cost savings to be realized, providing the tech acquisition is done properly, as well as advantages like easy communication between parents and teachers (and the ability for teachers to simply forward problematic or simply poorly done homework to parents).

All that said, technology is not a panacea, just as no single thing is in education. The human element you refer to is important – even my last example requires a constant relationship between parents and teachers. But technology is a valuable tool that shouldn’t be dismissed simply because it’s not going to solve all our problems immediately.

However, the arguments set forth in the debate now are saying that technology makes education easier and better – which, to a certain point, cannot really be argued against. Access to the Internet has been shown to be an important indicator in student success. Additionally, there are cost savings to be realized, providing the tech acquisition is done properly, as well as advantages like easy communication between parents and teachers (and the ability for teachers to simply forward problematic or simply poorly done homework to parents).

All that said, technology is not a panacea, just as no single thing is in education. The human element you refer to is important – even my last example requires a constant relationship between parents and teachers. But technology is a valuable tool that shouldn’t be dismissed simply because it’s not going to solve all our problems immediately.

However, the arguments set forth in the debate now are saying that technology makes education easier and better – which, to a certain point, cannot really be argued against. Access to the Internet has been shown to be an important indicator in student success. Additionally, there are cost savings to be realized, providing the tech acquisition is done properly, as well as advantages like easy communication between parents and teachers (and the ability for teachers to simply forward problematic or simply poorly done homework to parents).

All that said, technology is not a panacea, just as no single thing is in education. The human element you refer to is important – even my last example requires a constant relationship between parents and teachers. But technology is a valuable tool that shouldn’t be dismissed simply because it’s not going to solve all our problems immediately.

So while I understand why you are enamoured with a linux solution, hardware isn’t the problem…its the people.

So while I understand why you are enamoured with a linux solution, hardware isn’t the problem…its the people.

So while I understand why you are enamoured with a linux solution, hardware isn’t the problem…its the people.

So while I understand why you are enamoured with a linux solution, hardware isn’t the problem…its the people.

So while I understand why you are enamoured with a linux solution, hardware isn’t the problem…its the people.

Switch to linux based systems.  that alone would have saved the school TONS of money, extend the life of school’s computer systems.  As you say though, most people in the school probably would not be able to manage the technology, so then switch to a google based system running chrome OS.  Such a system can be run super lean and on any hardware that will run chrome.  the good thing is that it puts everyone on the same platform and allows teachers to do FAR more than justAV presentations.  for example, materials can be posted and shared, students can work together remotely.  teachers can have discussions with students remotely. heck if developed, there is no reason why HTML5 based eBooks can’t be run on the platform. The thing is that it can all be done for a fraction of the cost of what it takes schools to buy and store books today, get a lot more felxibility and a lot more material to your students, plus it allows them to stay on a modern communication system right from the beginning, all at minimal expense and minimal maintenance on the school’s part.  All of that plus it runs in old and low specd hardware.

The money saved can then be reinvested into things such as maintenance of the physical plant or personel.

Switch to linux based systems.  that alone would have saved the school TONS of money, extend the life of school’s computer systems.  As you say though, most people in the school probably would not be able to manage the technology, so then switch to a google based system running chrome OS.  Such a system can be run super lean and on any hardware that will run chrome.  the good thing is that it puts everyone on the same platform and allows teachers to do FAR more than justAV presentations.  for example, materials can be posted and shared, students can work together remotely.  teachers can have discussions with students remotely. heck if developed, there is no reason why HTML5 based eBooks can’t be run on the platform. The thing is that it can all be done for a fraction of the cost of what it takes schools to buy and store books today, get a lot more felxibility and a lot more material to your students, plus it allows them to stay on a modern communication system right from the beginning, all at minimal expense and minimal maintenance on the school’s part.  All of that plus it runs in old and low specd hardware.

The money saved can then be reinvested into things such as maintenance of the physical plant or personel.

Switch to linux based systems.  that alone would have saved the school TONS of money, extend the life of school’s computer systems.  As you say though, most people in the school probably would not be able to manage the technology, so then switch to a google based system running chrome OS.  Such a system can be run super lean and on any hardware that will run chrome.  the good thing is that it puts everyone on the same platform and allows teachers to do FAR more than justAV presentations.  for example, materials can be posted and shared, students can work together remotely.  teachers can have discussions with students remotely. heck if developed, there is no reason why HTML5 based eBooks can’t be run on the platform. The thing is that it can all be done for a fraction of the cost of what it takes schools to buy and store books today, get a lot more felxibility and a lot more material to your students, plus it allows them to stay on a modern communication system right from the beginning, all at minimal expense and minimal maintenance on the school’s part.  All of that plus it runs in old and low specd hardware.

The money saved can then be reinvested into things such as maintenance of the physical plant or personel.

Switch to linux based systems.  that alone would have saved the school TONS of money, extend the life of school’s computer systems.  As you say though, most people in the school probably would not be able to manage the technology, so then switch to a google based system running chrome OS.  Such a system can be run super lean and on any hardware that will run chrome.  the good thing is that it puts everyone on the same platform and allows teachers to do FAR more than justAV presentations.  for example, materials can be posted and shared, students can work together remotely.  teachers can have discussions with students remotely. heck if developed, there is no reason why HTML5 based eBooks can’t be run on the platform. The thing is that it can all be done for a fraction of the cost of what it takes schools to buy and store books today, get a lot more felxibility and a lot more material to your students, plus it allows them to stay on a modern communication system right from the beginning, all at minimal expense and minimal maintenance on the school’s part.  All of that plus it runs in old and low specd hardware.

The money saved can then be reinvested into things such as maintenance of the physical plant or personel.

Switch to linux based systems.  that alone would have saved the school TONS of money, extend the life of school’s computer systems.  As you say though, most people in the school probably would not be able to manage the technology, so then switch to a google based system running chrome OS.  Such a system can be run super lean and on any hardware that will run chrome.  the good thing is that it puts everyone on the same platform and allows teachers to do FAR more than justAV presentations.  for example, materials can be posted and shared, students can work together remotely.  teachers can have discussions with students remotely. heck if developed, there is no reason why HTML5 based eBooks can’t be run on the platform. The thing is that it can all be done for a fraction of the cost of what it takes schools to buy and store books today, get a lot more felxibility and a lot more material to your students, plus it allows them to stay on a modern communication system right from the beginning, all at minimal expense and minimal maintenance on the school’s part.  All of that plus it runs in old and low specd hardware.

The money saved can then be reinvested into things such as maintenance of the physical plant or personel.

However, they can all use their parent’s phones, and many use ipods and ipads with ease.

Now tech is truely coming of age, and is usable by everyone (even non-techy teachers!), I think the future is bright!….we just need more of it!

However, they can all use their parent’s phones, and many use ipods and ipads with ease.

Now tech is truely coming of age, and is usable by everyone (even non-techy teachers!), I think the future is bright!….we just need more of it!

However, they can all use their parent’s phones, and many use ipods and ipads with ease.

Now tech is truely coming of age, and is usable by everyone (even non-techy teachers!), I think the future is bright!….we just need more of it!

However, they can all use their parent’s phones, and many use ipods and ipads with ease.

Now tech is truely coming of age, and is usable by everyone (even non-techy teachers!), I think the future is bright!….we just need more of it!

However, they can all use their parent’s phones, and many use ipods and ipads with ease.

Now tech is truely coming of age, and is usable by everyone (even non-techy teachers!), I think the future is bright!….we just need more of it!