The Case for Getting Portable Computers Into Our Schools Written By Jonathan Harrison

Why Do We Need Computers In Schools?  Computers have helped to streamline the writing process.  Computers narrow the information gap between rich and poor students.  Computers allow students with disabilities to accomplish as much as their peers in a smaller amount of time.  Computers and related technologies can deliver more information and media into the classroom.  The world now depends upon computers and computer literate people for commerce and education.  More people own computers and use them for business and pleasure, computers in school can become a bridge between learning at school and at home.

Desktop Vs. Notebook Desktop Desktop  Immobile  Cheaper per unit  Takes up more space  Harder to install  Might need new furniture  Usually requires wired network  Harder to connect to peripherals White = Positive Red = Negative Notebook Notebook  Portable  More expensive per unit  Takes up very little space  Doesn’t need to be installed  Needs nothing new, except a storage cabinet  Can be hooked up to wireless internet, or wired  Easy to connect to peripherals  Gives teachers and students more options

Working for 1-to1  Teachers need to be excited and confident about computer technology and implementing it in their classrooms  Notebook Computers allow teachers and students to learn about and explore computer technology at school or home  Notebook computers can be used to solve problems of Equal Use of computers by students because they are portable and can be used at home. For example, Laptops are not constrained by the amount of space available in a lab, so every student attending a lab session could have a computer, providing that there are enough units in the school.

Why Notebooks? – The Hardware They are convenient for educational users:  Portable – home or school, or anywhere in the classroom  As powerful as desktops  More connectivity, meaning more options

Why Notebooks? – The Research Although teachers need notebook computers first so that they can be knowledgeable and excited about their applications to education, it is important for students to also have access to notebook computers as well. Research conducted from by Rockman Et Al, an independent research group, of Microsoft’s Anytime, Anywhere Program found that students with notebook computers; spent more time doing schoolwork out of class, scored higher in writing and reading assessments, showed improved research skills, and engaged in more collaborative work than students without notebook computers (Carter, p39). The research shows a correlation between notebook computers and a better quality education. Moreover, the experience of schools in Lawerence Township, New Jersey, District 6 of New York City, or Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart in Texas, all speak to the benefits of getting portable computers into the classroom.

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