One to One Computing for Schools:

We have reached the point where the provision of one computing device for every student is both feasible and educationally valuable! I believe the move to such a model is inevitable, but without a good roadmap, what schools adopt is going to be what the industry develops - not necessarily what is best for schools.

The Vision:

To improve education in the 21st Century by providing students ready access to educationally sound technology and electronic resources.

The Problems:

Advocates of one to one computing get frustrated that the resistance to their vision is focused on logistics and not much on educational value. The reality is that the two go hand-in-hand. Technology problems can easily take time away from teaching. Giving students a computing device may simply introduce new distractions. We must recognize that these concerns must either be addressed, or the value of one-to-one computing must be so great that it doesn't matter. It seems like many advocates expect the second statement to be true. I think it will be a long while before that is true. So let's get to work on addressing the problems!

First, let's clarify the problems:

Problem #1: Equipment

Realistically most schools cannot afford a computer for every student. The cost problem is not just the initial investment. Traditional laptops require enormous support resources. Windows (or Linux or even Mac OS) gets confused. Students install programs that complicate things. Settings get changed. Files get lost of corrupted.

That is only the software. With traditional laptops, there are many potential hardware failures. If a student opens and closes a clamshell laptop every class period of every day, there is a good chance that the hinges and the connectors inside the hinges will break or wear out. Of course there are myriad of ways of dropping a laptop during the average day of the average teenager.

Even if each student only runs into a hardware/software problem once in a school year, that is still more tech support than most schools can manage. Don't be fooled into thinking that a lease and warranty program is going to solve that problem.

Problem #2: Control

If every student has a computer, then there are clearly new distractions for our already over-stimulated students. It is difficult for even a great teacher to compete with Facebook and Instant Messenger. (An iPod hidden in the clothing is hard enough!) Are the only options to use computers sparingly and not allow the computers on their desk unless truly needed, or to have really strict consequences for violators, or to try to be more interesting than all of the options?

Problem #3: More Fluff, Less Thinking

In our media-intensive world, is the provision of a computer for every student just another step further away from requiring serious reading and thinking? Can computers really help students learn better or will it just help them be lazier in the learning process?

Problem #4: Extension Cords Everywhere

Few computers can run for more than 2 or 3 hours on battery power and as they age they seem to do worse. Schools need either lots of places for students to plug in their computer during the day or some sort of battery exchange program. Either idea is less than ideal.

Problem #5: Cost

We've all seen the ads for cheap computers, but realistically, the cheapest laptops available probably won't hold up long under typical student usage, but even if they did, the cost of providing a laptop to each student and providing support is still probably more than a school without a special grant can afford.

The Solution

The solution is a thin-client tablet computing devices with appropriate networking infrastructure and with solid school and course management software.

Solution: Equipment

A thin-client device has no moving parts (no hard drive, no fan, no CD-drive, etc.), so there are few things to fail. There is almost nothing to configure and almost no software to get confused. A thin-client device does not store information locally. If a device does actually fail, there is no pressing need to revive the machine or recover critical data. All student data is on the network. They could be given another device and keep right on working.

A tablet device has additional benefits: There are no hinges to break. An external USB keyboard can be easily replaced if it does fail for some reason. A tablet device can easily be built with edge protection to minimize breakage when dropped.

Solution: Control

With a thin-client device, all work is happening on the Server(s). With appropriate school management software, every student's schedule and needs can be known. When a teacher plans her course, she can specify the software needed during class time. If she does not allow Facebook or Instant Messenger, then it is not one of the options for her class period. In fact, with that sort of management, getting students to the software or website that they DO need for class is very fast and efficient. No wasted time here. Individualization for students who need it is potentially far easier as well.

Solution: Valuable Thinking

With a well-designed school and course management solution accompanying these devices, teachers can be more effective than ever before. With a collaborative, teacher-oriented website, teachers can work together to build great courses with well designed objectives and appropriate content – even great traditional content with electronic access.

Solution: Power

A thin-client device can use a half-watt processor. Battery life can easily span a school day. Students should just need to plug their device in when they get home.

Solution: Cost

Thin Clients can be built cheaper than a traditional laptop, but a thin-client does not get dated as fast as a traditional laptop. Equipment will wear out and must be replaced, but some clients will survive for years and still be able to access the latest change to the server. No need to change the student devices to upgrade.

The big bonus to a tablet device is that by giving students a device that is more comfortable to hold and carry and which runs all day on battery, schools save money by replacing or reducing traditional expenses like textbooks, photocopying, and communications.