RE: We Need Tablet Computers in Schools

Former Member — Tue, 12 Nov 2013 00:54:11 GMT

I am unconvinced that tablets are needed at all in our schools.

Technology is constantly moving forward. Yesterday laptops became as powerful as desktops, today tablets are approaching that level of power (in some use cases). Tomorrow it may be a watch or something we have yet to imagine.

Why the focus on tablets? Just because they exist? There is plenty of reason to believe tablets are a short termed stepping stone towards something much better.

Investing a huge amount of our limited education budgets on a fad technology seems decidedly short sighted. By the time software designed for education on a tablet matures to equal that already found on traditional desktops, we will already be moving on to the next big thing.

RE: We Need Tablet Computers in Schools

DAB — Fri, 08 Nov 2013 20:59:55 GMT

In many ways, the Tablet issue is an extension of the PC on every desk issue a decade or two ago.

If the schools all went to a type of tablet supported by many vendors, then just the cost of eliminating paper text books alone would cover the price.

Having the software customize the education for each student is something I tried to get started back in the early 1980's.

There is very little need to hamper each student's progress by setting them into a class room environment where the pace is set by the slowest student.

Allowing most students to run ahead in the pursuit of knowledge just makes too much sense. Let's encourage kids to expand as fast as they can. Yes some will be left behind, but we will free most students to excell.

I know from my own experience, spending 16-18 years in class rooms being bored stiff. That is why I am a big proponent of distance learning courses. By working at my own speed, I was able to complete an entire semester class in as little as two weeks.

Time is too precious to waste using slow and ineffective teaching techniques.

We have the technology, we have the knowledge, and we have many students crying for a chance to expand their learning experience.

Let us enable the youth to go way beyond where we were forced to plod along.

Just my opinion,

DAB