Is this really feasible?

Another article I found on Twitter talks about Maine's recent requirement that every student in their schools will be given a laptop. First of all, as the article mentions, there has been some backlash against such drastic change because teachers do not want to completely change how their classrooms work. I think that those with the admirable goal of incorporating more technology into all teachers' lessons need to take it more slowly with some teachers and show them how to use technology in smaller pieces. However, having that much technology in front of every single student does open up a world of possibilities where new pedagogical possibilities are discovered in each and every classroom. It allows teachers to be inventive and open minded about trying new ways of using technology in lessons because they never have to worry about the limits of when the computer lab is available. Overall, however, I think this may be too expensive for the benefits. There is a diminishing marginal return to technology just like any other good and training teachers to use a more financially feasible amount of technology in creative ways that engage students and allows the students the opportunity to use the technology as well is a better option than just getting as much technology as possible and hoping it will improve education. Sometimes it is important to think about the economics of decisions, to worry a little bit about the Benjamins.

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by: yomanimus

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