There must be some attraction for school leaders for the NSW department's approach to provision of computers for schools under the DER. There is one netbook computer for all Yr 9-12 students and teachers, with one set of software at one low price. Don't have to worry about that choice question for quite a while. The other state systems at are leaving the choice of type of computer to schools, with some restrictions. It is a fearsome decision to make. With the NSW approach, a very cheap price can be negotiated and school and system management is greatly simplified. But, it prevents schools making their own adaptations and maybe, locks the system into a less than optimal set-up for several years. There are obvious advantages and there are potential risks. One of these is the constantly changing hardware environment. Netbooks only arrived in the last two years.Apple's announcement of the iPad might, just might, change the whole environment regarding which computers are used in schools. At this stage the iPad is two months away from release, and it appears to be significantly under-powered for school computing. But our perception of what level of computing is required for which students is constantly evolving.
It is interesting that the Queensland department has a different view to NSW and has not accepted netbooks for DER funding, arguing that notebooks or desktop computers are required if students are to be able to engage in the more creative uses of computers. Most of the other jurisdictions are leaving the decision to schools. Victoria and SA recommends that schools get netbooks, but offer a choice of netbooks, laptops and desktops. Of course the term netbook is not defined. It is a small, relatively low powered computer, and there are big and small members of the family.
So what is the best choice? There will be debate about whether the iPad constitutes a 'laptop computer' within the DER definition but I am betting it will qualify. [Update: no it doesn't because it lacks a physical keyboard! (ruling by DEEWR) 10/3/10] With lots of discussion about smart phones being include in the mix of school computers, there will surely be good arguments to include the iPad. Not for all situations, but my bet is that the iPad will be a very suitable computer for 80% of school purposes. At about $500 it is in the price range. It is very portable and lightweight. It provides instant web access and is a platform for a vast number of applications, with many more purpose-built apps for education on the way. But it does not multi-task, yet, has no camera and has limited storage and will not run lots of standard PC applications. But maybe we need to think about using more than one appliance? Students can take photos and video with their phone, email these to the iPad, create a voice, text image and video presentation upload these to the web and view from any computer anywhere.
The Economist says that the iPad may have its greatest impact on netbook sales. That's the market it is aimed at. I think we need to pay a lot attention to accessibility of a computer. It is the immediacy of iPhone access to the web and to applications that is one of its main appeals. The rigmarole of setting up a laptop, getting it started and accessing information is quite frustrating in a class when the whole process takes at least five minutes - which can feel like an age. Immediately accessible small devices are very appealing. Which to me counters some of the argument of the people who believe that a full strength laptop is the only option. Of course, taking a class to another room where the desktop computers are is at the negative end of the scale of accessibility. Notice that I just argued that accessibility may counter higher power. The two factors have nothing to do with each other, but that is the type of thinking that we go through. Am I willing to trade off factor x in order to increase factor y. By bet is that one-to-one computing is all about universal accessibility to the new tools. That means any-where access (home and school wireless), open systems (minimal filtering and student responsibility) simplicity, portability and speed, so every teacher and every student can use the tools.
