Maine plans to have a laptop for every student 7th thru 12th grade statewide (Augusta: for sale, lease)

[Maine Writer]

Originally Posted by Northern Maine Land Man

"How can this be blamed on laptops?"

It's as simple as copying and pasting as I just did from above. In many classes the kids know more about computers than the teachers do. Some sixth graders have been on computers at home for about eight years and finally when they hit the 7th grade they can use a computer at school.

It still comes back to personal responsibility. A laptop does not have the ability to force anyone to cheat. You can plagiarize by hand writing word for word. It's not the book's fault any more than it is a laptop's fault.

[Northern Maine Land Man]

Correct. My point was that many teachers are not proficient with computers. We recently had a teacher retire and she was proud to say she didn't know how to turn on a computer. That teacher taught eighth grade.

[Maine Writer]

In this day and age that's not a good thing. Are computer classes offered as part of teacher training?

[Northern Maine Land Man]

When that teacher went to school the computer had not been invented. Neither had the calculator, wireless phones, tape recorders, radial tires, laser pointers or a Fax machine. (I think she was opposed to all of those things.)

[starwalker]

Originally Posted by Northern Maine Land Man

When that teacher went to school the computer had not been invented. Neither had the calculator, wireless phones, tape recorders, radial tires, laser pointers or a Fax machine. (I think she was opposed to all of those things.)

Gods save us all from the days of the ditto and mimeograph machines! (I remember typing masters for both formats for my dad.) It is too bad that some teachers don't see the benefit in keeping up with the times.

My dad taught also (and went to school in a similar era to the retiree you speak of, quite possibly) and -- though he did not enjoy it, and likely neither did some of his students in his drafting and wood shop classes -- he began teaching them to use the metric system back in the 70s after discovering that it was easier not to convert when working with parts that were in mm (he was making the parts to my spec. for a telescope I was building, and the optics were metric).

I feel sorry for teachers who do not feel comfortable exploring new technologies at least enough to have a basic familiarity with them. I don't think we all have to be a whiz at everything, but turning your back on changes -- whether you agree with them or not -- can't really help anyone.

I think I understand a bit of her feelings though, as I find myself getting frustrated more and more often when searching for information on the Internet and finding "nothing but" video content.

[Maine Writer]

Originally Posted by Northern Maine Land Man

When that teacher went to school the computer had not been invented. Neither had the calculator, wireless phones, tape recorders, radial tires, laser pointers or a Fax machine. (I think she was opposed to all of those things.)

Don't they have to continue training on an on-going basis to keep their licenses?

[msina]

this was an interesting article...........

GOOD » Laptops of the World»

In inner-city Philadelphia, a pilot program is arming its high schoolers with laptops. But in countries like Norway—and increasingly in the developing world—that’s the norm. Why is the United States so behind? And is it worth it to play catch-up?

[reloop]

:d

[reloop]

Originally Posted by forest beekeeper

Do we truly 'need' this?

Yes, I think we do need technology training - everything is PC driven today - I often marvel as I'm out-and-about town at how much we now rely on them for everything - that doesn't mean it's always a good thing. I will say that I feel that we have to be diligent in our watching the cost 'tho. This is no time to forget how to work the best possible deal (with complete transparency by the way).

I say that with mixed feelings in general - I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place with this. My children are young and one of them will be using a laptop in a couple of years. He has computer classes now, and he's had classes since 1st grade, so he's pretty proficient with computers in general (plus we have one at home - obviously). Likewise with my daughter - she can do pretty much anything on a computer now - she's 9. They have a lot of access at the school, but I'm sure that there are smaller schools who don't have as adequate resources. That's simply reality. That's not our reality, so the tightwad taxpayer side of me conflicts in that I know they'll be just fine in this age of technology, so why do we need to subject retirees on a fixed income to more taxes to pay for their education? That said, there are still some of their friends who don't have a computer in their homes, and having to pay basic bills precludes their parents from buying them one (and no, they don't smoke, own cell phones or have internet access or new cars and they also don't eat out every night - sorry, went off on a tangent there).

Our school was fortunate enough to have had a sizable donation of computers that were "retired" from the military a few years back, and after a lot of tweaking, they were placed in most classrooms. The kids have a great time playing games (of the educational kind - I've watched with an eagle eye ) when they have inside recess or while the walkers are waiting for the buses to leave. They also use them in the Accelerated Reading program where they are required to answer comprehension questions on a book they read. I get an email everytime they do one, so I know their grade. I really do like that aspect. It keeps them on their toes because they know that the old hag at home is watching. Powerful incentive - that's what I've found that little gem to be. I am almost completely "self-taught" in the use of computers, as I feel strongly that there isn't much of anything one can't teach themselves if they have the wearwithall to at least try.

I will say 'tho, that I have on more than one occasion found myself picking up a lone laptop that was left behind either in the lobby or sidewalk of the school. Such is childish nature I suppose. I just shake my head as I hand it over to the office. I'd hate to be in that kid's shoes when it comes to pay the piper for that little moment of forgetfulness. I can assure you - it "ain't" pretty...

[forest beekeeper]

Originally Posted by Northern Maine Land Man

When that teacher went to school the computer had not been invented. Neither had the calculator, wireless phones, tape recorders, radial tires, laser pointers or a Fax machine. (I think she was opposed to all of those things.)

That attitude mirrors both of my parents.

At the VFW I also see/hear that attitude from many of the members. It keeps the younger vets from feeling comfortable there.



Our society is marching onward, and the education that our children receive should be kept as up-to-date as possible.

I am not comfortable with expecting the government to shoulder so much of the family's burden.

To me 'institutions' tend to be 'bad' things.

IMHO sending anyone to a government institution without judicial process seems wrong.

I have never trusted the government's motives when it comes to child education, and it only got worse when we had children attending such an institution.



Since Apple is willing to provide laptops for such a low price to the government [and obviously still make their profit even after factoring in on-going repairs]; they should likewise be willing to provide the same deal to the public.

So every child could have access to this technology. Not just the institutionalized children.