> In San Lorenzo, California, 8,000 students from grades four through 12
> will get a laptop that they can keep until they graduate.
>
Do they really think a computer they give to a student in the fourth grade
is going to be of any use by the time the student in a senior in high
school?

> Researchers are already saying that wireless technology is having an
> impact, by increasing student access to computers and giving kids more
> autonomy in the classroom.
>
There's a fine line between autonomy and isolation.  There's a significant
social dimension to the construction of knowledge that can be lost if the
students sit around looking at their screens rather than talking to each
other or the teacher.  I'm yet to be convinced that anybody has a really
good handle on how to use computers in a classroom if the subject is other
than a technology subject.  It probably can be done but, like the rush to
put a computer in every classroom, I worry that the hype may be driving the
technology distribution rather than any coherent plan of how to use it.  And
given the costs involved, we call not commit the money, and give up spending
for other resources, without getting some real educational gain.  For
example, doe San Lorenzo really know what its going to do with all those
computers that's going to create a net increase in the quality of the
education sufficient to justify the money spent.

------
Paul Chapin
Curricular Computing Specialist
Amherst College
413 542-2144