Journal #8: Choosing the Perfect Tools for One-to-One

Bouterse, Brian (2009/08). Choosing the Perfect Tools for One-to-One. Learning and Leading with Technology, 1, Retrieved 08/07/2009, from
http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Publications/LL

Wow, I must be really behind the times (and I'm only 26)! After reading this article I took a minute to think back on my years in junior high and high school. I don't even recall my school offering a computer lab or assigning projects that required us to do more than some simple internet research or word processing. Now schools are considering offering a laptop to every student! Don't get me wrong, this is an incredible opportunity for the students and one that will absolutely increase their technological proficiency. However, it seems like the only information we ever receive about schools through the media is how there is a lack of funding. My question, then, is how are schools affording to accomplish this and are the results really worth the expenditure (which I imagine is quite large)? I am in no way resistant to new technology and can definitely see the necessity of being proficient with it if one is to be successful in modern society. I am just not convinced that it is vital for every student to have their own laptop in order to accomplish these goals. I may be a little misguided by all the tech-related articles that we have been reading, but it seems that the focus of schooling is beginning to shift away from subject competency and personal development and more towards developing a technologically literate society.

How much did your junior high and high school offer access to technology?
This is a question for the rest of the class. I am just wondering if the school district that I went through was much different than everyone else's.

Are one-to-one programs necessary to further the education of our youth?
At this point I would say no. I still feel that the primary goal of education is to develop subject matter competency in our students and to aid them in their personal development. Both of these goals can be accomplished with limited exposure to technology. However, with the way society is advancing, these goals may have to be modified.