RJP31484 said:
Did you see that originally the Henrico School District had bought 25,000 ibooks?! I dont know what the going rate for them was in 2001, but if they were about 1k like today, thats 25 MILLION dollars!! I mean, I am certainly an advocator of technology in the classroom, but I doubt they got 25 million dollars worth of education out of them in 4 years. Especially since selling them at $50 each will put them at a loss of $23,750,000.00. YOUCH! additionally, I am also interested in how I can get one for $50.00??
I think that is the question. We have looked here at putting laptops into the hands of students. I have pushed hard for Macs, I will most likely lose.
I am the only teacher with a Macintosh. I am also the only teacher that uses the computer (Keynote or Powerpoint) in the classroom. SO much nicer then slides.
Have my students received the $1000 worth of extra education because of my Mac. Yes and they would agree... printing out slide notes alone is worth it for them.
Being able to take notes on the computer is a great asset. No more stray pencil marks. No more unable to read your own writing. Can they be abused, yes.
The question I think needs to be changed. Did each student receive the $1000 worth of extra instruction / help / lack of problem on average. If we used iBooks in our school the answer would be yes. I cannot tell you how often I hear the problem of... my computer is down... my floppy is dead... the computers in the lab can't print... etc etc etc.
SO what do students do... last year I pushed for a switch jump drives from floppies. Guess what happened... "Mr. Isaac, your computer is the only one that actually is useful and works can you print out my english homework for me?" Me to student, "Did you try the lab or somewhere else?" Student: "Your computer is the only one that will not wreck things and is the only one I trust."
If they had an iBook... hook up to the Airport and print. Wham bam thank you Apple.
I bet the students rcvd 25M in not pulling out hair. I personally pity the VA students next year and I am glad I am not there.
PS. I wish I was there I would load my van up and we would buy as many as could.