Computers are so essential today that business routinely invests in new hardware, rather than risk falling behind.
Last week the Biddeford School Committee also acted on this belief, ordering new laptop computers for Biddeford High School students. Though the cost seems daunting, past experience indicates that the investment will be a good one.
For seven years, Maine middle schools have benefited from the Maine Learning Technology Initiative, which put an Apple laptop in the hands of every seventh and eighth grade student. Offers have now been extended to Maine’s high schools, and the Department of Education has placed a preliminary order for 64,000 MacBooks for grades 7-12.
The deal arranged for Biddeford High School calls for all freshmen and sophomores, and some juniors and seniors, to get new MacBooks. The district will also purchase 570 laptops leased for students at Biddeford Middle School under Maine’s laptop program, which are due to be replaced.
The arrangement with MLTI carries a price tag of $570,000 ”“ substantially less than the $1 million it would cost to outfit all Biddeford High School students. Ingenuity and thrift has saved the city’s taxpayers a substantial amount. The cost is roughly equal to the amount Biddeford schools will receive in under the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
Buying essential tools for students will engage their initiative and curiosity, and the deal includes more ”“ a new wireless computer network for the high school, not to mention considerable software, at no additional cost.
Many young people have a natural inclination to expand the reach of technology, but they can only go as far as their computers, software and networks will take them. This kind of investment will enable some students to expand their creativity, and others to become more effective problem-solvers. Most will learn new ways of dealing with numbers, text, images and music.
The advice of a Learning Technology task force in 2001 remains valid today: Schools must prepare students to thrive in a world that relies on technology for productivity and innovation.
The expansion of the technology initiative, though expensive, is a valuable opportunity to improve the learning environment at Biddeford High School. Besides the hardware, software and school network, the package will provide the service and support, professional development and educational tools that are part of the initiative.
It’s difficult to go ahead with a major investment when budgets are tight. School districts that invest the laptop initiative do so with the expectation that they will get good educational value for the money.
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