NEW TOOLS FOR SCHOOL: EDUCATORS DREAM OF LAPTOPS FOR ALL STUDENTS:

After years of debate, many educators have become advocates for the benefits of using laptops and handheld computers in the classroom. In Silicon Valley, students use handheld devices to graph math problems, learn economics and map out science experiments. Bill Richter, principal of Lynbrook High School said, "The curriculum is the same...It's just a different way of access that allows kids to be more creative and more in control of how they learn." Around 15 percent of school districts nationwide have some type of laptop initiative and proponents of the programs say that it is the next step in giving students essential technical skills for future success in the workforce. Critics of the laptop programs have said schools are not discussing the hazards of handheld devices and laptops. Distribution of the equipment and teacher training can be very expensive for schools and students must be taught about privacy and using the tools responsibly. The largest laptop program is San Jose's East Side high school district. Superintendent Joe Coto is planning on giving every student in the district a laptop to bring technology into the homes of about 100,000 people who would not normally be able to afford it. "The digital divide has been around a long time, and we think our kids deserve this. We believe it will improve academic performance, increase understanding of future careers in technology, and bring greater involvement and communication with parents. And we think it will be an important step for our students who don't speak English." 

Date: Thursday, April 4, 2002 
Author: Katherine Corcoran 
Web site: http://www.siliconvalley.com/mld/siliconvalley/news/2994121.htm