That Seems Nuts!

I purchased my first laptop, in order to replace my almost new desktop (2000), in 2003. It cost almost $1000. This 12,000 lb, blue woolly mammoth, of a computer (also known as the "Blue Beast")was a sure bet for me to gain academic success. At the time, I was unaware of what "wireless" internet was, but knew it was expensive, so I passed on the option to go wireless. Instead, I attached an ethernet cord to my mobile devise, and began living the life of an almost completely mobile computer user. Life on the computer, as I knew it, could not get much better than that.


Of course I was wrong. Life got MUCH better, in terms of computers. My next computer was a much more powerful desktop. The decision was made, after several years of renting a U-Haul truck to transport the "Blue Beast." I figured, if I was going to have a heavy computer, and since light weight laptops cost more than a powerful desktop (at the time), I might as well get a computer that would permanently sit on my desk.


This changed (again, this past summer), upon enrolling in my online Masters of Education program (Integrating Technology into the Classroom) through Walden University. How were my wife and I supposed to balance computer time? Was she supposed to wait patiently to go on Facebook, while I worked away at my classes? The answer, of course was..."NOT A CHANCE!" How was I supposed to study while on vacation, because being a teacher, you have to enjoy your summer break? We needed to invest in a second computer, which we chose would a WIRELESS laptop. We chose to become members of the 21st century, in terms of modern computer users. The "Blue Beast" was a thing of the past. We welcomed in the "Red Raptor," which is must faster than my previous laptop, and slightly lighter in weight. The best part was, our new laptop was less than half the cost of my first laptop (about $400).

Which brings me to my educational point...

With laptops, primarily mini-laptops, getting to such low costs as $300 for a decent set-up, should schools be investing in one to one programs? Why do we have kids hand write papers over and over, until their erasers no longer exist, when we could have them type a paper on a specific topic, and share back and forth with a teacher or peer to edit through emails, blogs, and wikis? I understand the "old school" mentality, but what about 21st century mentality? I could not tell you the last time I sat down and hand wrote a paper from start to finish, and then went back and typed it. That seems nuts! So I wonder, do our students think we are nuts, because they know they are capable of achieve higher quality work even faster, if given a computer?

I believe one to one programs could be very beneficial, long term. The cost would be a lot. In a district of 3,000 kids, with mini-laptops costing $300 each, someone (probably tax payers) would have to fork over $1,000,000 just to get up and running, and that doesn't include all of the additional costs associated. Perhaps these work stations have to get even cheaper, but not lose quality, before this can happen? One to one programs are upon us (or so I have heard and read), but I wonder how long it will be before this is a reality for school districts across the country, since so many schools lag behind in the demands that technology already present to them.