Who thinks that kids should have school issued laptops?

Question

Then they could do all their work on the laptop, eliminating the need for so much paper. They could also use .pdf books - eliminating the need for them to carry around a 60lb backpack. Basically, the only thing they would need, would be the laptop - since they could do everything on it. I think kids from a young age - maybe 4th grade should have them.

Answer 1

I wouldn't issue them laptops. It would be like giving out free candy. After a few weeks, all of the laptops would be gone.

Instead, I'd post all of the text of all of the textbooks and all homework assignments on the Internet so that students who have access to the Internet at home can easily read their assignments and study the material once they get home.

In addition, I would give the parents of children who can't afford a computer or Internet access, the ability to buy one of those stripped down one hundred dollar laptops that are currently being developed. The students could use a flash drive to download all needed information at the school and then access it at home.

I'd also give these kids access to the Internet at school in a controlled environment.

But, I can't see young kids bringing computers to and from school.

Now, if a high school kid wants to bring his own laptop to school and he officially accepts complete responsibility for the value and contents of the laptop, I would allow him to use it at school.

Note: I hope that whizzdom is not a real teacher. If she is, we are in deep trouble.

Answer 2

I think the idea is great and it would have a lot of benefits. I do think that 4th grade is too young - I think high school would be a good place to start. You also have to think about how all of the laptops would be paid for - would the taxpayers pick up the bill or would the parents be expected to shell out the money? Not every parent can afford 2k on a laptop, and especially not if they have multiple kids in high school at the same time. Then you have the issue of the kids breaking the laptops and needing new ones.
I think it's a great idea in theory, but it would need to have a lot of kinks worked out before it could be implemented throughout the country.

Answer 3

If there is a program that will either donate them at cost or find some way of eliminating the huge cost this would bring to the schools, yes! Computers are an essential part of the economy and workplace skills are essential.

Low cost laptops should be produced for the school market - something along the lines of a dedicated system that has only what the school requires. Replace the books with these and you would not only make the kids more adapted to the moderne world, but get rid of the problem of having out of date books in the classroom.

Answer 4

Computers are great, I love them, however, as a (secondary) school teacher, I feel its best for the teacher to have computerized learning/teaching equipment such as an interactive whiteboard or other such equipment, instead of the pupils having laptops, and i'll tell u exactly why i say this. Teachers are trained to act in emergencies should the computer be unavailable on any given day...children would need individual training to do this should they each use only a laptop and because their writing skills might be adversely affected due to everything be computerised, this could be a mammoth task.
a) it has been researched by scientists and (i feel with my own experience) that basic things such as reading and writing, are important language communication tools. if we have this, we have all the necessary tools to excel at any other subject, because we can interpret questions (during exams etc) better and thus have a better chance at success than if we struggle with our main language.
b) using computers can be a lot like watching television, if for example, you read an 'e-book' or a book which is online, it has the effect whereby you see pictures on screen (just like a story on tv) whereas if you read a book, your brain makes the effort to conjure up the image, and in so doing your brain gets exercise, this may sound strange but its exactly how it works when you read books with little or no pictures in it. Reading therefore is a definite bonus in developing a create mind (rather than sitting and watching tv or an online story unfold whereby one absorbs everything like some sort of dumb sponge!)
I agree computers are useful in saving paper, however, laptops for every kid at school would mean less writing would occur, but sadly, there'd be more strain on the eyes (laptops are not good for people with weak eyesight) and what's more is that, if your l/top broke down...how would you prove you did your homework when you teacher asks for it and you unfortunately dont have a backup copy, you can hardly say the dog ate it! *wink*
Reading and Writing are necessary skills which a laptop wont completely be able to give you, perhaps in future, no one will ever need to write anything, in which case a laptop per pupil would make perfect sense. I used to be a bookworm when i was a kid, and this has really helped with my spelling and all else (i used to top the class on many occasions with my grades!) i swear by reading books rather than entertainment by telly...
Perhaps, in future, there'll be a little notepad that's less cumbersome than a laptop, but does the same job...who knows, seeing as you're such a futuristic thinker, perhaps that's something for you to work on, good luck! Whizzdom.

Answer 5

Absolutely not! Has anyone noticed that the more we pour into our schools the worse our kids seem to be doing? The more we accommodate these kids, the worse they do? It isn't the school's fault either. Teachers can only teach students who are ready and willing to learn. So many of the kids today come from such disruptive homes, how could we possibly expect that they would arrive settled and ready to soak up some knowledge.

I think we should go back to way it used to be where teachers could discipline and the kids had to wear uniforms. A little structure, and things would turn around!

Answer 6

No! What about penmanship? Kids need to learn to write, and they can't do that typing on a keyboard.

Although, I can see the day coming when the Internet and computer software will replace the use of textbooks to a great degree so the laptop idea is valid, but it should not replace certain essentials like writing and math (without the aid of a calculator).

Answer 7

Sorry, you do no longer... and neither does the highschool the two. while i became in severe college they issued laptops to scholars. They ended up making use of video games on them, no longer doing their artwork, etc. another day there became somebody with a cracked demonstrate screen through fact they dropped it on the floor. This became severe college. With the immaturity in middle college i will think of bitchy ladies taking the laptops of ladies they hate and smashing them, boys by probability stepping on one yet another's computing device circumstances, lost laptops, stolen laptops, etc. in case you haven't any longer have been given get right of entry to to a working laptop or computing device at homestead, pass to the faculty library or a city library. you do no longer want a working laptop or computing device for each little thing. I truly have truly in basic terms mandatory a working laptop or computing device for printing papers. I hardly been given an task that I truly have straight away mandatory a working laptop or computing device for.

Answer 8

my school issued laptops and im happy to have one but it is not absolutely necessary. i do like the idea of saving paper and turning in things through the internet. but theyre are bad things such as theft and ppl who arent responsible. at my school idiots break their computers basically everyday.

im in highschool and i dont think 1/3 of my school can even be responsible with one so i doubt that 4th graders should get one cus they will just turn into gamers


plus its crazy expensive
mine was 2000 and it included warranty and all that but i dont think taxpayers should pay for that

Answer 9

No Due to multiple reason.
1. They will use calculators and other tools on laptop rather than using their brains which will cease brain growth.
2. Ultimately you will end up paying for it one way or another.
3. Kids need to learn writ ting with hands which they won't learn if they have lap tops.

Answer 10

NO,because it would cause schools lots of money and if the children lose them who would be responsible,and many of the U.S's schools budgets are going down so most couldn't afford it,but some schools do have computers but you cant take them home there not laptops.