21st Century Learning #106: Bill Campbell on Tablet PCs

This week I listened to a discussion on Ed Tech talk led be Bill Campbell on the feasibility of Tablet PCs use in schools. I chose this topic because I am familiar with the technology discussed. I was interesting in this discussion because I was surprised that tablets would be considered for students bellow college level.

The school implementing the tablet program is the Dwight Englewood School. The Dwight Englewood School is a one to one school meaning all the students have a computer. At first it seems like a good idea but it is entirely infeasible in schools outside of the private realm. This discussion was not as much about the use of tablets as it was giving the students and teachers the tools they need to succeed.

Both sides of the discussion were well represented but I felt that it was overkill. I don’t think the use of technology needs to be as complicated as it gets. Technology such as tablets and laptops are great for students but they are tools and should not replace all manners of traditional learning in my opinion.

After I listened to this Ed Tech Talk discussion, I realized that I should have chosen a different topic because of my familiarity with the topic. I found it frustrating to listen to because it reminded me of technical team meetings that I was once involved with. I always felt that the discussions were always needed but also went in circles with no clear end in sight. I used to find these discussions would often start because different staff members used the discussion to create reasons to go on expensive “exploratory” trips much like the ones brought up in this discussion.

I am not sure that I would recommend listening to this discussion because it is not relevant to educators in public schools and regularly funded private schools. The one to one approach that the Dwight Englewood School uses, is at best an experiment that will cost the school and parents a great deal of money. Technologies such as tablets and laptops have a place in schools as tools and nothing more.

http://www.edtechtalk.com/21cl_106

https://www.d-e.org/podium/default.aspx?t=125618&rc=1