School Technology Policies

After reading a couple of articles in *Education Week*, I realized that this
fight to adopt new technology has taken on a new light. Here are the
articles of reference:
http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2010/03/18/26ipods.h29.html

http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2010/03/18/26overview.h29.html?tkn=UQUFRiXlI0hFyaPvLfAXi9%2BMvLZIjhaEn0HJ&cmp=clp-edweek

Let’s face it - I am not the most technology-savvy person in our school
district. However, I am a strong user of technology and learn how to use my
tools extremely well. I take the “depth” approach, as opposed to the
“breadth” approach, and that serves my purposes. When I recently purchased a
MacBook Pro for my Ph.D. classes and took advantage of an included iPod
touch, I learned a few things.

First, these tools are versatile. Largely graphically-dependent, they are
perfect for low-language-proficient students. My iPod Touch (and then my
iPhone) are the *only* handheld tools that have saved me time on the
computer. Even my BlackBerry requires me to use a full computer to complete
email and scheduling tasks. My iPod, however, allowed me to interact with my
email, view attachments, post comments on blogs and other sites, and
experience the web quite effectively. For example, I had a bank transaction
to make, and in the time that it takes my computer to boot up, I had
downloaded my bank’s application, logged in securely, and completed my
transaction. My computer was still starting up.

Second, these tools are inexpensive. If Apple can give them away as a
promotional item, then you know that consumer-friendly pricing is on its
way. They are also several different models and versions of the tool that
are extremely reasonably-priced. If your school district cannot provide
laptops for every student, then this might be a response that supports
shrinking budgets and increased expectations for classroom technology.

Third, these tools are controllable. In my current school district, there
are strict controls on internet access, and these controls can be passed
forward to the iPod touches. Application developers are not hard to find,
either, if you want to create a custom application. In our district, we have
been lucky enough to have several teachers and former teachers (and several
students!) who have developed custom applications for the iPod Touch and
iPhone.

With that said, what are the real challenges behind adopting something like
a class set of iPod touches, train several teachers in effective use of the
tools, and then put them in hands of students? Is it the novelty, or the
echos of poorly designed educational tools for other handhelds? Perhaps the
dependence on PCs puts Apple products at odds when making purchases. Your
thoughts?