"...an utterly corrupt new religion called environmentalism..."
If the history of this planet's climate over millions of years is any guide, we are about to enter a new ice age.
CAIR spokesman Ibrahim Hooper indicated in a 1993 interview with the Minneapolis Star Tribune that he wants to see the United States become a Muslim country.
Teaching with Laptops
By Nancy Salvato (02/26/06)
To be completely honest; I am excited over Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn’s proposal, the “I-Connect Initiative”, initially intended to provide a personal laptop computer for all 169,000 seventh grade students in Illinois public schools.1 I can’t understand why anyone wouldn’t want to see students realize the benefits of keeping all school related materials in a portable database. Just think about it; anything at all related to school could be accessed in one convenient location. Students wouldn’t have to phone the homework hotline; worry about carrying books back and forth (click here); or forget papers, teachers could post outlines of material covered in class; online videos for students who were absent for the movie or want to give it a second look; and provide links to more in depth information on any topic. There would be no need for checking assignment notebooks, or printing countless worksheets. Supplemental information could be provided on topics that struggling students don’t fully grasp or for gifted students who want to challenge themselves. Absent teachers could leave extensive plans for the substitute, so that critical instructional time is used to its fullest potential.
Of course, I’m comfortable spending hours at a time on my computer and I can’t imagine ever trying to write or research without one. There’s no telling how many hours I save instantly accessing news from all over the world, experts in a plethora of fields, or being an email away from colleagues. I’m not the only one aware of the benefits. The policy of Dr. Mark Edwards, Superintendent, Henrico County Public Schools, is straightforward, "We don't think technology will ever replace teachers. But teachers who can use the technology will replace those who can't use it because it's here to stay."2 Teachers, uncomfortable with computers and hesitant to change established routines and practices, need only step out of their comfort zone and learn the PC to gain an appreciation for the many advantages which outweigh any disadvantages. According to Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn, “No Illinois child should be left on the wrong side of the digital divide,”3 He, like I, believes that, “Laptops are the textbooks of tomorrow.”4
As amended, HB 5244 (Kelly, D-Matteson) establishes a pilot program, narrower in its scope, costing considerably less to implement at $5 million. Participants would be culled from two school districts from each Regional Office of Education area and 30 school districts each from the City of Chicago and from Cook County outside the City of Chicago. Priority will be given to schools with at least 40 percent low-income student enrollment.5
The bill was approved by the House Computer Technology Committee and was sent to the House floor for consideration.6 The148 selected schools will receive:
· Laptop computers for all 7th grade students and classroom teachers
(All laptops will be equipped with science and math tutorials, word processing,
note taking, spreadsheet software, and a warranty).
· Professional development opportunities for teachers
· Technical assistance for school based networks 7
There are justifiable concerns broached by Illinois taxpayers. What if $5 million dollars buys a lot of instant messaging between friends and playing games? From all appearances, the price doesn’t actually include Internet access. There is potential for the computers to get lost or break during their six year anticipated life expectancy. They definitely wouldn’t be running on the most current operating systems. Most importantly, it should be up to individual schools to decide how best to educate their students. This program allows for no flexibility in how to appropriate this educational money; it's for laptops or nothing.8
Some fear possible ideological repercussions. Computer curriculum has the potential to cultivate UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Cultural, Scientific & Cultural Organization) educational goals, "culturally neutral universal values to which all people aspire.”9 This is because UNESCO and Microsoft are cooperating to create resources “to support the development of curricula for teachers and training courses on the use of Information Computer Technology in classrooms.”10 Those unhappy with the way multiculturalism has replaced more traditional learning goals of understanding and love for our country; its historical figures and practices, may have some legitimate reason to be concerned.
Drawing on what is already known from other states that have invested in the laptop program, problems have surfaced in schools not fully planning how laptops would be used; that didn’t include staff in deciding ways laptops should be implemented; where money was not set aside for program or professional development; where teachers rarely asked students to turn on their laptops; if students left laptops at home; where frustrated parents felt money was invested in tools only being used sporadically; where digital resources were unreliable and of poor quality; when bandwidth was poor; or when batteries would only last 90 minutes.11
According to Vicki Wilson, Henrico County Public Schools’ assistant superintendent for curriculum, training is a big consideration. "New students and parents need a tremendous amount of training to understand the technology and be able to use it. It also has to be differentiated, because teachers, students, and parents are all at different places with their technology skills." 12
Henrico County Public Schools also discovered that security is a big issue. Some 50-60 students were disciplined for downloading pornography at home, and two students were suspended for trying to hack into the computers of teachers and classmates. This was resolved by "scrubbing" the iBook hard drives and placing restrictions that prevent instant messaging and limit file sharing. 13
Indisputably, more research is needed to know exactly how computers can be the most effective tool at school. According to Ludger Woessmann, a researcher at the University of Munich, "if you overuse computers and trade them for other [types of] teaching, it actually harms the student."14 Basically, what needs to be determined is when computers are useful and when they're not. According to Dr. Marcia Linn, professor of education and director of the Technology Enhanced Learning in Science Center at the University of California at Berkeley, "People need guidance in how to use [computers in education]."15 According to the Illinois Government News Network, Illinois, “School districts will decide how the laptop computer will be utilized in the classroom. Teachers will also receive professional training on how to integrate laptop computers into everyday curriculum.”16
According to the IGNN Press release, Henrico County Virginia students taking part in a similar laptop initiative for grades 6-12, achieved the highest SAT verbal and math scores ever recorded in the county, just four years after the program began.17 Phoenix, Arizona students attending Deer Valley Unified, a 30,000-student district, and using laptops as part of their curriculum, are retaining the increases they made in fifth grade. Schools participating in the project do better than those that are not. 18
According to a study of one-to-one laptop computing at Piscataquis Community High School (PCHS) conducted by the Mitchell Institute (as part of a Great Maine Schools Project grant funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation), PCHS’s laptop program improved computer skills, increased access to educational resources, boosted student motivation and interest in school, and enhanced interaction among students and teachers. Overall, laptops improved the quality of work and student achievement. The program contributed across the spectrum of PCHS students, most of all helping at-risk and low-achieving students. It prepared all students for higher-level learning. Of particular note, after implementing the laptop program, daily student attendance increased from 91% to 98%. Discipline referrals declined by 45% during the first year of implementation. Some average students became high-achievers and students with behavior issues became more focused. Laptops provided opportunities for social contact to those who otherwise might not reach out. Shyer students were availed of opportunities to express themselves and get involved. Students wrote more, preferring typing to handwriting, and access to spelling and grammar check gave them more confidence. Grades improved with laptops.19
Jeff Herbel, Oklahoma City's information technology project leader, makes a very good argument for purchasing laptops for students. “Going to the lab interrupts class schedules, and it takes students and teachers out of the classroom." 20
There appears to be many good reasons for implementing laptop programs in Illinois schools. Because Illinois can learn from the mistakes of other school districts around the country, many potential pitfalls can be avoided. Still, it should be up to the individual school districts to decide exactly how they want to use available technology. You can lead a horse to water, but you cannot make him drink.
11After Laptop
http://fno.org/apr02/afterlaptop.html
14, 15 Contrarian finding: Computers are a drag on learning
http://www.csmonitor.com/2004/1206/p11s01-legn.html
8 Editorial: No money for laptops
http://studentsfirst.us/news/contentview.asp?c=174782
19 Great Maine Schools Project
http://www.notesys.com/Copies/Maine%20PCHSfinalrptmemo%2017Feb04.pdf
5, 6 Illinois School Nutrition Association
http://72.14.207.104/search?q=cache:zOo2vLqkrcsJ:www.isfsa.net/isboe/junkfood.htm+HB+5244+(Kelly,+D-Matteson)&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=1
2, 12,13, 18, 20 Laptop Learning
http://www.asbj.com/2002/07/0702coverstory.html
10 Laptops, Bill Gates and UNESCO
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2005/12/laptops_bill_ga.html
7 TECH 2006: Students for the Information Age
http://www.illinois.gov//PressReleases/ShowPressRelease.cfm?SubjectID=14&RecNum=4666
9 Q&A: UNESCO and Microsoft to Focus on Technology in Joint Initiative for Community Development
http://www.microsoft.com/emea/pressCentre/UNESCO.mspx
1, 3, 4, 16, 17 QUINN TO PREPARE STUDENTS FOR THE INFORMATION AGE ECONOMY WITH I-CONNECT INITIATIVE
http://www.illinois.gov/PressReleases/ShowPressRelease.cfm?SubjectID=25&RecNum=4521
Copyright © Nancy Salvato 2006
(Printer friendly version) Email: Nancy Salvato
Nancy Salvato is the President of The Basics Project, (www.Basicsproject.org) a non-profit, non-partisan research and educational project whose mission is to promote the education of the American public on the basic elements of relevant political, legal and social issues important to our country. She is an experienced educator and an independent contractor with Prism Educational Consulting. She serves as Educational Liaison for Illinois Senator Carole Pankau. She works nationally and locally furthering the cause of Education Reform. Her writing is widely published on the internet and occasionally in print venues such as the Washington Times. Her opinions have been heard on select radio programs across the nation. Additionally, her writing has been recognized by the US Secretary of Education. She is also a Staff Writer, for the New Media Alliance, Inc.
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The seditious act is being carried out by our very own elected officials, with President Bush leading the insurrection."
"The FDA has conveniently used the excuse of looking out for consumer safety to increase their perverse regulatory power,
undermine free speech, disrupt commerce, and generally get in the way of helping people improve their health. The "half-truth" of
the safety issue is used as a ploy to reduce the rights of Americans, one freedom at a time. Once again, the FDA is seeking more
police power to intimidate supplement companies. This is one step in an overall FDA master plan to eliminate therapeutic nutritional
supplements from the free market. Those who lose are the American public." The FDA - A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing
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