Comments on: MIT finds ways to get computers to all children http://atticmooses.com/blog/2005/10/04/30/ teaching in an e-world Fri, 20 Feb 2009 10:16:50 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Jack http://atticmooses.com/blog/2005/10/04/30/comment-page-1/#comment-183 Jack Sun, 13 Nov 2005 16:58:40 +0000 http://atticmooses.com/blog/2005/10/04/30/#comment-183 I think it is unfortunate that they are planning on ending the laptop program and I think you have a very valid point when you stated how adults waste time on their computers too. The concept of wasting time or messing around isn't correlated with the laptop, but with people in general. If you take away the laptop those same kids will still play games and mess around, they'll just be doing so on paper instead; doodaling, passing notes, or drawing pictures. They should realize that, if anything, the laptops increase the efficiancy of the students when they actually are working. I think it is unfortunate that they are planning on ending the laptop program and I think you have a very valid point when you stated how adults waste time on their computers too. The concept of wasting time or messing around isn’t correlated with the laptop, but with people in general. If you take away the laptop those same kids will still play games and mess around, they’ll just be doing so on paper instead; doodaling, passing notes, or drawing pictures. They should realize that, if anything, the laptops increase the efficiancy of the students when they actually are working.

]]> By: Holly Holmes http://atticmooses.com/blog/2005/10/04/30/comment-page-1/#comment-175 Holly Holmes Sun, 13 Nov 2005 03:21:10 +0000 http://atticmooses.com/blog/2005/10/04/30/#comment-175 I am totally for having laptops in the classroom, and I think it’s great that affordable computers were make especially for that use. Although I think computers are great for the class I also think that there is a time to use them and a time to set them aside. The laptops should be used for external learning on the internet, and for programs such as word, but should be set aside for group interactions and “old school” learning. Technology is only advancing in our future which is why it is SO important for our students to be familiar with computers. As for the case in Maine, I agree with Prof. Lancast that either not enough or no training was available for teachers before incorporating the laptops into classrooms. I also think that the state jumped to a conclusion to fast and acted too soon when removing the laptops from the school. Instead, I think that the state should have used Maine as an experiment and try other ideas for incorporating laptops into a classroom without all the wasted time. They must also realize that all people get distracted and students are going to find was to entertain themselves in any situation. I am totally for having laptops in the classroom, and I think it’s great that affordable computers were make especially for that use. Although I think computers are great for the class I also think that there is a time to use them and a time to set them aside. The laptops should be used for external learning on the internet, and for programs such as word, but should be set aside for group interactions and “old school” learning. Technology is only advancing in our future which is why it is SO important for our students to be familiar with computers. As for the case in Maine, I agree with Prof. Lancast that either not enough or no training was available for teachers before incorporating the laptops into classrooms. I also think that the state jumped to a conclusion to fast and acted too soon when removing the laptops from the school. Instead, I think that the state should have used Maine as an experiment and try other ideas for incorporating laptops into a classroom without all the wasted time. They must also realize that all people get distracted and students are going to find was to entertain themselves in any situation.

]]> By: Stacey Busman http://atticmooses.com/blog/2005/10/04/30/comment-page-1/#comment-160 Stacey Busman Fri, 11 Nov 2005 18:45:47 +0000 http://atticmooses.com/blog/2005/10/04/30/#comment-160 As i was reading through the replies i was completely taken by surprise. I have to give props to Joseph for standing up and sharing what he really feels about the quality of people's lives and not just the technology we are using. The other respones to it were great points to make as well in the fact that if we teach them how to use the technology, we will enable them to use the skills that they now possess and enter into the job market. Reading this article made me a little selfish actually and made me want one of those $100 dollar computers:) Man, that's peanuts for something that will enable everybody to have the means to work online and get the work done that they need to. Some of the techniques sound so primitive such as turning a crank to charge up the adapter, but hey, whatever works. Ten minutes of cranking to receive 100 minutes of work time, great! As long as students have access to the opportunites available in working on a computer, we are on our way up. As i was reading through the replies i was completely taken by surprise. I have to give props to Joseph for standing up and sharing what he really feels about the quality of people’s lives and not just the technology we are using. The other respones to it were great points to make as well in the fact that if we teach them how to use the technology, we will enable them to use the skills that they now possess and enter into the job market.

Reading this article made me a little selfish actually and made me want one of those $100 dollar computers:) Man, that’s peanuts for something that will enable everybody to have the means to work online and get the work done that they need to. Some of the techniques sound so primitive such as turning a crank to charge up the adapter, but hey, whatever works. Ten minutes of cranking to receive 100 minutes of work time, great! As long as students have access to the opportunites available in working on a computer, we are on our way up.

]]> By: sean http://atticmooses.com/blog/2005/10/04/30/comment-page-1/#comment-153 sean Thu, 10 Nov 2005 18:14:37 +0000 http://atticmooses.com/blog/2005/10/04/30/#comment-153 Joseph, I think the thinking behind getting computers to people who may be starving as well is to look to the future. Sure, food is needed, but just giving food will = a country that always needs food. Giving them technology might mean that they learn to fit into the internet economy of the future. Once they get involved with an economy then they can start to fend for themselves and no longer need our food assistance. Further, once they build an economy then they can start purchasing American goods which stimulates our economy as well. Does that make sense? Joseph, I think the thinking behind getting computers to people who may be starving as well is to look to the future. Sure, food is needed, but just giving food will = a country that always needs food. Giving them technology might mean that they learn to fit into the internet economy of the future. Once they get involved with an economy then they can start to fend for themselves and no longer need our food assistance. Further, once they build an economy then they can start purchasing American goods which stimulates our economy as well. Does that make sense?

]]> By: Benjamin Berry http://atticmooses.com/blog/2005/10/04/30/comment-page-1/#comment-152 Benjamin Berry Thu, 10 Nov 2005 17:22:36 +0000 http://atticmooses.com/blog/2005/10/04/30/#comment-152 It is important for kids to get introduced to computers. A one to one ratio of computers to children is very effective and ultimately necessary if technology is really going to be integrated into the classroom. However, I wonder if we can make these computers so that students cannot install large programs. That is to say could we make these laptops so they only run specific programs? I don not think kids should be using school resources to play games that are not educational. Perhaps some games that are educational could be permitted? Also, I am not necessarily convinced that spending an extra 100 dollars on kids in our public schools is not feeding the poor. After all if you give a man a fish you feed him for a day, but if you teach a man to fish you feed him for a lifetime. Look at what is happening to India with the advent of technology. Respectfully, Berry (Pura Vida) It is important for kids to get introduced to computers. A one to one ratio of computers to children is very effective and ultimately necessary if technology is really going to be integrated into the classroom. However, I wonder if we can make these computers so that students cannot install large programs. That is to say could we make these laptops so they only run specific programs? I don not think kids should be using school resources to play games that are not educational. Perhaps some games that are educational could be permitted?

Also, I am not necessarily convinced that spending an extra 100 dollars on kids in our public schools is not feeding the poor. After all if you give a man a fish you feed him for a day, but if you teach a man to fish you feed him for a lifetime. Look at what is happening to India with the advent of technology.

Respectfully,
Berry (Pura Vida)

]]> By: karalyn knibbe http://atticmooses.com/blog/2005/10/04/30/comment-page-1/#comment-148 karalyn knibbe Thu, 10 Nov 2005 03:52:30 +0000 http://atticmooses.com/blog/2005/10/04/30/#comment-148 Mass produciton of laptops for only $100 is great! I never imagined they could be made this cheap. Wow, I think if the prices are this cheap, schools will really jump on teh idea of every student having their own laptop. This laptop does sound like it fits the need as it is very durable and will take some bumps and bruises which are bound to happen with kids using them. They have the wireless connection where they can share it with the laptops around them. THis is very improtant for classrooms where many laptops are together and all need to be online. I think in the near future these laptops may take over the old stationary computers and soon schools will do away with their expensive, continual money sucking computer labs. With computers this cheap, there is no other way to go. Also, when you view the benefits involved and how well the students excell. Mass produciton of laptops for only $100 is great! I never imagined they could be made this cheap. Wow, I think if the prices are this cheap, schools will really jump on teh idea of every student having their own laptop. This laptop does sound like it fits the need as it is very durable and will take some bumps and bruises which are bound to happen with kids using them. They have the wireless connection where they can share it with the laptops around them. THis is very improtant for classrooms where many laptops are together and all need to be online.
I think in the near future these laptops may take over the old stationary computers and soon schools will do away with their expensive, continual money sucking computer labs. With computers this cheap, there is no other way to go. Also, when you view the benefits involved and how well the students excell.

]]> By: Sara Eilers http://atticmooses.com/blog/2005/10/04/30/comment-page-1/#comment-143 Sara Eilers Wed, 09 Nov 2005 18:44:51 +0000 http://atticmooses.com/blog/2005/10/04/30/#comment-143 The idea of mass producing labtops for $100 is great news. I feel like throughout this class as we talk about subjects like 'which is better stationary or portable computer labs' always in the back of my head is this unsureness as to whether its fair that kids can have this choice while there may be a school in the county over from them that are struggling to provide computers for the teachers. Not only is this a reasonable option, it also comes with many benefits and advantages to the common labtop. Its durable, transportable, both of those thogether make it very child resistant, but more importantly with them you can save even more money may sharing the wireless internet signal. I think that these labtops have the potential to take over computer labs with all of their advantages. The idea of mass producing labtops for $100 is great news. I feel like throughout this class as we talk about subjects like ‘which is better stationary or portable computer labs’ always in the back of my head is this unsureness as to whether its fair that kids can have this choice while there may be a school in the county over from them that are struggling to provide computers for the teachers. Not only is this a reasonable option, it also comes with many benefits and advantages to the common labtop. Its durable, transportable, both of those thogether make it very child resistant, but more importantly with them you can save even more money may sharing the wireless internet signal. I think that these labtops have the potential to take over computer labs with all of their advantages.

]]> By: Joseph DeVol http://atticmooses.com/blog/2005/10/04/30/comment-page-1/#comment-141 Joseph DeVol Wed, 09 Nov 2005 16:45:06 +0000 http://atticmooses.com/blog/2005/10/04/30/#comment-141 Although I am for computers and I agree with getting affordable computers to people, I think “why are we so concerned in putting money into getting poor people computers when they are dying from food shortages and disease.” I think that we are getting a little ahead and techno-zealous, when it comes to sharing technology. Also the wireless model is great and sounds to show promise in the future, but if the initial computer that is connected to the internet so many computers would be going though it, I wonder about the processing power that it is going to take? Hopefully the initial computer will not stop working and put priority to getting the signal across. So.....in conclusion I think that it is a great idea but really hope that we start putting money into saving peoples lives rather than helping them surf the internet. Although I am for computers and I agree with getting affordable computers to people, I think “why are we so concerned in putting money into getting poor people computers when they are dying from food shortages and disease.” I think that we are getting a little ahead and techno-zealous, when it comes to sharing technology. Also the wireless model is great and sounds to show promise in the future, but if the initial computer that is connected to the internet so many computers would be going though it, I wonder about the processing power that it is going to take? Hopefully the initial computer will not stop working and put priority to getting the signal across. So…..in conclusion I think that it is a great idea but really hope that we start putting money into saving peoples lives rather than helping them surf the internet.

]]> By: Anne Roth http://atticmooses.com/blog/2005/10/04/30/comment-page-1/#comment-135 Anne Roth Wed, 09 Nov 2005 02:20:03 +0000 http://atticmooses.com/blog/2005/10/04/30/#comment-135 I think this development is huge in the way of expanding technology on to everyone in the world. I think with the development of a laptop at such a reasonable price, it would help students at home because almost everyone could afford them, and for those who could not, it would be cheap enough for schools to have a supply of them for students to check out at the end of the day similar to what they did with calculators in my high school. You had to fill out a small sheet with our name and the date so the teacher knew who had them. Then they were due by 1st block the next day. I also think this will help kids in other less fortunate countries. I believe with computers at this reasonable of a price, people would donate money to buy computers or donate the computers themselves to help kickstart a technology program in less fortunate schools districts in this country and abroad. By making this resource so inexpensive and easily transportable and durable, I think that technology integration will take a huge increase worldwide. I think this development is huge in the way of expanding technology on to everyone in the world. I think with the development of a laptop at such a reasonable price, it would help students at home because almost everyone could afford them, and for those who could not, it would be cheap enough for schools to have a supply of them for students to check out at the end of the day similar to what they did with calculators in my high school. You had to fill out a small sheet with our name and the date so the teacher knew who had them. Then they were due by 1st block the next day. I also think this will help kids in other less fortunate countries. I believe with computers at this reasonable of a price, people would donate money to buy computers or donate the computers themselves to help kickstart a technology program in less fortunate schools districts in this country and abroad. By making this resource so inexpensive and easily transportable and durable, I think that technology integration will take a huge increase worldwide.

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