Posted on 01/02/2012 11:05:32 AM PST by MichCapCon
East Grand Rapids Public Schools is considering a plan that would require all third through 12th graders to use wireless devices in class by the fall of 2012, according to a school official.
But the district is considering holding parents responsible for acquiring the technological devices, which is raising some eyebrows.
Jeanne Glowicki, the East Grand Rapids Public School assistant superintendent of instruction, said parents would be given options of how to get the wireless devices.
“Parents will be given a menu of options which include purchase, lease, technology tools used already in their home, use school technology tools, and scholarship,” Glowicki wrote in an e-mail.
Glowicki said the school board hasn’t made a final decision yet.
Martin Ackley, spokesman for the Department of Education, said the program is legal.
“Whether it is equitable or not is another question,” Ackley said in an e-mail. “The district is implementing a BYOD (bring your own device) program. The inequity issue is summed up quite well by Gary Stager, a leader in educational technology use. ‘The only way to guarantee equitable educational experiences is for each student to have access to the same materials and learning opportunities. BYOD leaves this to chance with more affluent students continuing to have an unfair advantage over their classmates. This is particularly problematic in a society with growing economic disparity.’ While the district is meeting the guidelines of the law, BYOD may not be the most equitable manner in implementing a 1:1 environment in a public school.”
Michael Van Beek, education policy director at the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, said he’d be concerned if the technology was needed for classes that were mandatory and not electives.
“The unanswered question here is what if a student chooses not to purchase, lease, apply for a scholarship or use their own personal devices,” Van Beek said in an e-mail. “What happens then? Will they be able to fully participate in the school’s programs?”
Can’t say I needed a wireless device to learn anything in school.
Unless a paper and pencil are considered “wireless devices”
Students today use spreadsheets and word processors. I didn’t have them when I grew up.
But I did have to learn them as an adult.
If possible, I would have preferred having them growing up. Bottom line: the world changes.
We got a computer in 2004 when the local high school announced they would no longer accept hand-written reports/homework. More cost effective than driving the kids back and forth to the library.
Technology is a part of the learning process. My daughters are asked to supply certain items that I pay for because I want them to do well. My daughters also know what supply and demand is, what the constitution is, what McCarthyism really is and what Wilson, FDR, LBJ, Clinton etc really were/are. Therefore, I feel confidant that my money isn’t being wasted.
Not to worry, the government is already giving welfare clients computers.
law schools require computers.
colleges require computers.
science classes require scientific calculators.
this is just complaining to complain.
It is impossible to work anywhere without utilizing a computer [except for the very lowest paying jobs].
Even though I graduated decades ago, I embraced computers ... because I like them, but also because I have to compete with others who do know them well.
Interestingly, most of the studies on the impacts of computers in schools/curriculum, point to a single benefit: kids are better able to use computers. What isn't seen as a benefit is the impact on making it easier for kids to learn, have better retention of information, etc.
No question we’d all like to have computers and such,it would have saved me from carrying a ton of books in daily. That being said i don’t see how it will work out when some kids simply won’t be able to afford it.
If the district finds a way to get them wireless devices then its not fair to the next level up who struggle to get one for their kids while making a big dent in their budget. If the government told me i had to have,had to,no choice,some sort of electronic device i would be extremely upset.
Colleges. Voluntary. There’s no comparison.
My ignorant question. If school requires such a purchase, can the cost of the electronic device(es) be deducted on one’s income tax?
Can Schools Require Students To Own
Clothes? Yes (BYO clothes is standard - students must arrive clothed)
Books? Yes (BYO class texts - text book fees are not uncommon)
Pen & Paper? Yes (BYO paper & pen is common)
Wireless Devices? Yes (its the new BYO paper/pen/books)
It’s a different world. Technology plays and is going to play an ever increasing role in children’s lives as time goes on. A Cambridge study has found that in the 21st century it’s more important to be able to find information quickly than to memorize it in the first place. The limitations on the latter are simply insurmountable in this day and age where detailed answers are expected more quickly than ever before.
It’s just another thing to buy.
You have to buy books, stationary supplies, sports uniforms, parking passes............and on and on.
It’s getting more and more expensive to send kids to the “free” public schools.
So, your position is that the nanny-government should supply everything. Breakfast, lunch and dinner, too. Snacks. tissues, bottled water, throat lozenges, sneakers for gym class, etc.
Really? Really? How about you learn how to read before making comments that display that difficulty that you have in comprehension.
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