Monday, July 12, 2010

Computers for all Students

Around the world, governments have begun to supply school children with notebook computers. The United Nations endorses a plan known as "One Laptop per Child" to supply $150 notebook computers to developing countries -- some of which already pledged to purchase millions of the devices for their school children. The device, which recharges with a hand crank, includes Wi-Fi networking and a simple, intuitive user interface. Supporters of these plans maintain that computer literacy and electronic communication are vital skills in todays world. Those who oppose this plan claim that technology detracts from traditional educational subjects. Should schools supply computers to all students? Why or Why not? Should the One Laptop per child program be limited to only those children in developing countries? Why or Why not?

15 comments:

  1. I do not think all schools should supply computers to all students. Most students parents give them a computer, I do think there should be assistance for students who come from a low income family who may not otherwise have a computer. I do like the idea of a few Apple Mac Book Learning Labs being available in all schools so if a teacher wants every student in class to have a computer they just need to check a cart out and bring it to class.
    As far as the One Laptop per child program, I do not think it should be limited to developing countries because there are many communities with in developed countries that may have the same funding as a developing country. I think the program should be based on how much funding the schools receive.

    Deanna

    ReplyDelete
  2. I believe all children all over the world should have computer access to computers and to the web. There is so much information out there that unless you access the net, you will never see it.
    Should we, as a nation, supply these computers to developing countires? Why not? If these developing countries are buying them for thier students, why not? I believe American students should have the advantage first if American tax dollars are buying them. It comes down to economics. Should all children have a computer, I think so. Should America buy these computers for the developing countries before American children benefit, absolutely not! For this reason, this program should not be limited to developing countries.

    ReplyDelete
  3. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I believe computers should not be supplied to every student in the classroom. Mainly, because I would want a more interactive classroom where the children can get up and participate in a game that I may have put up on the smart board. Ans it will also give me opportunity to have different groups working on different projects. One group could be researching on the internet, while the other groups are doing other projects form there books.
    I am really indifferent to as if which developing country should receive computers for each child. I would say yes, because every child should experience the education that we have in our country. If there were computers abroad then perhaps our children could interact via webcam with other countries. On the other hand, how could the government worry about supplying every child a computer in those developing countries when they still don't have safe drinking water or a comfortable place to lay their heads. I always said that our government really have their priorities mixed up.

    Pam J.

    ReplyDelete
  5. In my opinion regarding computers supplied to each student, I think it depends on what grade level you are refering too? Technology is changing and it helps many people learn new things not just students; therefore, comptuers are great for each student. There are endless learning activites they can learn or can use for research projects/papers. Many students believe it or not are not fortunate to have a computer at home. There only source to a compter is at school. Students are always eager to learn more with any thing involving technology. Elemantary students may not find much use to each computer, I think smart boards are better at this age.
    Should we supply the comptuers? Yes they should, the school should want to better themselves. Should one laptop per child progrm be limited? No it should not be limited to a source of education. Every child should have the chance to get on a computer and learn something new!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I disagree with the idea that every child should have a laptop. Every student has access to computers in the school’s library as well as the county libraries. Computers in the classrooms are important but not every student needs one. I believe that computers are great for many things, but they also open a lot of doors to not so good things. There is no way to monitor every child on a computer. As far as the blocks they put on the computers – many kids these days are so familiar with technology that they even have the capability to “hack” into different websites outside of the boundaries we set. I think kids are much smarter than we give them credit for sometimes. What happen to old fashioned – if you want something bad enough (education) then you will work to get it. I believe we have gotten way off track with the way kids are being taught. My grandfather told me when I was younger that it was up to me whether I learned something or not and I believe that. Yes – it is good to have a few computers but not necessary. Kids are learning about computers with out having them in the classroom. If a child wants to learn something, they will learn it. It comes down to teaching the children of today that it is important to have an education and about goals and how important learning is – If we can teach the kids using specific programmed computers then so be it, but I don’t think that each child should have a laptop computer. The one laptop per child program should NOT be limited to developing countries if we are going to implement this program – I agree with Pam that we have our priorities mixed up. Some of these countries may need more important things than laptop computers – like the necessities to maintain a healthy life.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I do not think that schools should supply students with notebooks computers. The reason I say that is because some of the students will not appreciate them and try to steal or damage them. Also it would not smart to give notebook computers to certain levels or grades. Schools should not give computers to elementary or middle school students because they would not know what to do with them. For high school students, the school should supply desk-up computers, instead of notebooks, for the classroom uses only.
    ABSOLUTELY NOT!!! The one laptop per child should not be limited to the children in the developing countries. I say that because I understand that they are in a developing country that is trying to come up and enter the 21st century but instead of just limiting the one laptop per child to them, I think that they should be one of the top priority. We need to STOP trying to waste our money on computers and instead we NEED to use that money for something else that is way more important!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. In my opinion, computers should be supplies to all students. No matter what the financial status of the student or the country they live in. Being able to surf the web puts so much information easily accessible. Also, students will learn how to access the web and learn how to use a computer. It would also benefit those who dod not have the finances to buy one. If all students had access to the web, no child could fell like they did not have the same advantages as other students. However, other countries that are not as well off as other countries should put their priorities first. I also agree with Pam - maintaining a healthy life.

    ReplyDelete
  9. In this class I have learned that Children should have a computer it helps them with typing skills and also it helps them keep up with the technology. Technology helps because we do not know everything in the world, and so if a teacher asks a question. What is the deepest part of the ocean and where is it. Possibly one maybe two students will know it, but most will not and it they had a computer in front of them they all could answer the question. A teacher could make it a game this was. Computers are becoming more common now, we as college students know this. If you have taken a math class, you have had to do your homework online. The teacher can go in and see how long you are on the site and how you are doing without having one piece of paper to grade the computer does it for you. So computers are a good thing to have in class.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I think it can be very expensive to provide a laptop for every student, however, we live in the richest country in the world so we should be able to provide laptops for students in this country as well as developing countries. Providing laptops is the one way to make sure our children learn to use the latest technology to become productive and employable adults. Computers are in every part of our everyday lives, both personal and professional and our children would benefit from having their own computers.

    ReplyDelete
  11. For my answer, I seem to have more questions. To analyze this I have to look at a specific country. Let’s suppose this program was implemented in Haiti. This program would work well for those that live in Port au Prince where electricity is not a issue and the Wi-Fi will work, however in the villages there is little, if any, electrical service and finding a Wi-Fi hotspot is non-existent. Does this mean that the government that is providing these laptops would also be extending electrical service and setting up Wi-Fi for all these homes?
    The idea behind this program is a good one but did the people that thought this would be wonderful look at the big picture? What good is a laptop with Wi-Fi if it cannot be used to its full capacity? Will these laptops have parental controls on them? Will the parents have any idea how to set them up if they do not? The internet is a door to a whole new world and I would be concerned with what these children could be exposed to.
    I think, in theory, this is a good idea but I would suggest that the more basic needs of the children of the country be taken care of before computers are handed out. Do they have adequate food and lodging? Do they have shoes? Is their water supply safe to drink? Laptops should be very low on the priority list for someone looking to improve the lives of these children.
    I do believe that all children should have access to computers at school. If the government wants to step in a make that a reality around the world then more power to them but to unitarily hand out laptops when there are so many other issues in this developing countries it seems a little ridiculous. Fulfill their basic needs and then discuss the idea of a laptop for every child.
    If this program is to go forward then it should not be limited to developing countries, there are plenty of families in the United States that could benefit from such a program. We may be one of the richest countries in the world but we also have a huge percentage of poverty. I am not sure how this would work for the children but perhaps if this program were used in the US, it could be based on families that receive free and reduced lunch.
    I am just glad that this is not my decision to make because there are so many variables that should be looked at before laptops are handed out. If it were my decision, the laptops would be obsolete before the final verdict.

    ReplyDelete
  12. No. Why? because we as Americans we no the tough economy slope we're traveling on and right now with purchasing notebooks that's just another debt tax payers are going to have to pay for.

    No. Why? because children in our on backyard are living like their in a developing country. America isn't what it use to be and really don't have money to give away.

    ReplyDelete
  13. No I do not agree with every school child having a computer to take home, but should access to one in school. Right now our country is not financially equipped to supply computer to other countries, regardless of their situation. We have school districts here in the United States that can barely make ends meet and are laying off employees left and right. So at this present time I don't think computers should be the top priorty. As long as schools have computers in the classrooms and students can access them to research info or being taught how to use them properly this will have to do for now. To agree with some previous comments we need to take care of home first, because we are still producing a society of people who cannot read let alone use a computer.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I feel that schools supplying each student with a labtop is not necessary. If there are computers in the classroom, library, and computer labs students will have plenty of opportunities to use a computer throughout the school day. Another reason I do not think that every student should have a laptop is that younger students do not have the full understanding of how to work everything needed on the computer and this could cause problems with them getting broken easier. If every classroom is provided with a set of computers for their students to be able to work in groups and then each day have a chance to work alone in the computer lab or library it will give them a chance to explore and work through technology. SMARTboards should be supplied to each classroom, so that classes can work interactively together on the lesson that is being taught that day. Students are much more interactive and up to technology standards, so allowing them to opportunities to explore on the internet and giving them programs to do assignments on is really going to engage their brains and make them want to do better.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Now a days every child or student must want to get computer because it's a basic need.it must be provide.


    Windows MAC Support

    ReplyDelete