Finally, all this stuff is great. Technology is great. Independent and self-guided study is great. BUT, I think we could do with a bit more focus on the fundamentals. All that "alternative" stuff is great, but it must be reserved for those who have already learned to sit down, shut up, study and learn, and who have learned to properly read, write and compute (not work a computer, compute).
Amen to that. A lot of times I think Slashdotters take for granted that everyone is as curious and geared toward learning as they are. To me, the average computer geek seems to be THIRSTY for knowledge. However the average high school student isn't. Anyone who thinks otherwise should be required to teach for two weeks.
but this SO sounds like a political trick to make it look like they do something for kids education, instead of REALLY tackling problems...
I can't speak for Maine, but here, the people responsible for making the major decisions in education have either NEVER been in a public school classroom as an instructor, or haven't been there in several years. They've become so far removed from the problem, that when they try to help, they're making decisions in a vacuum. Every few years, a new decision is made followed by several large purchases, and this is heraleded <sp?> as the new savior of public education.
I'd hate to be the support staff for any school district up in Maine...
Amen. I'll wager the budget for support is in no way tied to the # of PC's, laptops or whatever is coming into the state. They'll have all these machines and then wonder why the Network admin and his technician can't keep them all going.
He actually seems to know what he's talking about in the interview.
Or someone has written him a list of specs he can repeat in interviews.
$500 or less each
One piece, no upgradability, send back to manufacturer for repairs 3 year warranty - Maybe
contain a small amount writable flash memory
These are starting to sound like these little WinCE things we tried a few years ago. Looks like a kiddie laptop. Difficult to use. Screens dim after the first year. One solid piece. After the initial year warranty the company wouldn't call us back. The manual looks like a promotional pamphlet and there's no support otherwise.
the sudents won't be allowed to load any programs on them
That statement cracks me up. Sure, until your serious hacker kid gets bored with pocket Word and solitaire. Then he figures out how to put a copy of Scorched earth in the flash memory. Then his buddy asks him how he did it, so he shows him, and he shows another kid. Soon everyone's playing it. Then they figure out P2P, and now EVERYONE has a copy of Student X's assignment.
If that's all they're getting, I estimate that these things will disappear within two years of showing up.
This kind of program looks real nice in the press, but I'll be willing to bet no thought has been given to what will happen once these kids have a laptop in their hands. I work as a technician for a school district in a state where our governor thought it would be a good idea to do the same thing this year, plus give a well deserved raise to the teachers. It was a grand press event, but here were our pitfalls:
1. Abuse. A school is one of the only environments in the world where your users are also actively trying to destroy the computers. Everyone forgets that one, but remember, the same kids that were carving their names on desks and slamming their peers into lockers, are now trying to pry the keys of keyboards to spell curse words. Not to mention the "leet script kiddie" set who are trying to prove how awesome they are.
2. Support. I'll wager that it'll fall on the schools/districts/whatever to keep these laptops up and working. 17,000 laptops, let's say one technician per 500 laptops, that'll be 34 Technicians needed this year. He's planning on doing this every year until these kids become seniors. That's 204 Techs over the next 6 years. In our state, for a non-college grad w/experience, a tech can only expect to make $22,000/yr. That's $748,000 for new techs this year. and in 6 years it'll be $4,488,000 for 204 techs.
3. Networking/Software. One of the first things people cry when they get a new computer is "when can I get on the internet?" I would assume these schools are gonna have to get wireless networking. If not, then what? Next, did they include a copy of Office on every PC? or Works? or Star Office (hopefully)?
4. Teacher Training. They're spending $1 mil. on training according to the article. So let's drum up some numbers 17,000 students / 30 per classroom leaves about 566 Teachers. Now most teacher training occurs after school hours, so imagine spending 8 solid hours with 30 7th graders, then having to spend another couple in a class that you weren't really enthused about to begin with. Also, most likely they won't get to actually implement what they learned for at least 3 months (can't train in summer, b/c teachers are off contract then, and they'd have to be paid to come). By not using that training quickly, they'll start to lose it.
5. Curriculum. I've seen teachers with only one pc in the classroom and turn that one PC into a wonderful teaching experience. But I've seen these same teachers frustrated beyond belief, because the day they had an entire class period planned around using the computer, it broke, or the network was down, or whatever. What happens when they plan a class activity, and one student has a broken laptop, another left his home, and a third student had it stolen? I'll wager there's no replacements, or loaners being budgeted for. Likewise I've seen teachers with an entire lab full of brand new computers, which were turned into garbage within a year, b/c the teacher didn't know (or care) about teaching with them, and didn't keep an eye on the kids. I've seen PC's given to kids as a "reward" for sitting through a class. At this point they become overpriced gaming consoles, because the teachers never implemented them in class correctly.
Bottom line, it looks good in an election, and it's a great way for a governor to reward his supporters once it's over (big contracts for lots of PC's). But on the whole, the headaches can easily outway the gain here. And since I'm griping, I'd tell you how I'd fix it. I'd give a laptop to every teacher with a TV out, or TV converter, whatever is needed. Then I'd set up a number of labs on a campus, in proportion to the number of students on that campus. A teacher who is going to integrate technology in the curriculum can, with those tools, and one who doesn't care won't cause much trouble in the process. But new labs mean more room, and more room means new buildings, which means more money. And who's gonna be proud of a governor who promises "A laptop for every teacher, and you kids go share a lab?"
I agree. While it was nice to see how everyone worked together up there and built something they could feel "ownership" in, I got the impression that the whole article was a chance to dig at Russian space control. NASA praised the table, while Russain Space Control said it couldn't be done? Aren't these guys supposed to be working together? Granted, CNN is reporting to an American audience, so I can understand playing up the American angle a little bit, but this seems like it's poking fun at Russian Space Control a little too much.
I work as a technician for a school district that has a setup very similar to yours. I realize that the frustration level is high among the students/faculty at your situation, but let me tell you about the other side of the coin.
We have over 500 pc's, 100+ printers, and 18+ servers spread over 50 miles from the farthest points.
Until last year there was only one person (my boss) to handle *all* computer problems (plus writing grants, planning the networks, budgeting, proposing plans to school board, and coaching track/soccer)
I was hired last year, and all tech work, network administration, planning,tech support and occasionally purchase requests was passed on to me.
A school system is one of the only places where a third of the users you must support are actively trying to break the equipment/software/security.
Around half our teachers are actively trying to understand and use the technology, 1/4 consider it a necessary evil and try to use it only after being threatened, and another 1/4 want nothing to do with it and will break it before they'll try to use it.
I don't think it's wrong to want technology that works, I also don't believe that any of your expectations were too high. But it's never just as easy as saying "let's do it" with a school system. Very often schools make the initial commitment, but there is never a follow-up plan or budget for taking care of ongoing maintenance. There are a lot of teachers and administrators who want to give the students the best they can offer, but often the needs in a school are so varied, and each just as urgent as the next, that sometimes you have to decide which one will get taken care of, and which will get left until later.
So what's the answer? More money is first thing most people say. That's fine but it's not really the solution. More *resources* would be the way I'd phrase it. In our position we need updated facilities, more techs, training for teachers, up to date equipment . . . oh wait, I guess you need money to do all that. Well that means higher taxes. Nevermind, no one will vote for that. Three years running the people in this district have turned down a bond that would have built new buildings at each school, and repaired the old buildings, as well as funded all sorts of other improvments. With a school board trying to keep 50+ year old building from collapsing, Technology funding takes a back seat. If it hadn't been for E-Rate and other grants, we would have what we've got now.
So the frustration builds. For me because I can't keep it running smoothly. For the teachers because it never works like they expected. For the administrators because they can't fund what they feel is important to education. And for you because you can't use the technology that's there. All I can say for now is sorry, we're doing the best we can.
Slashdot Mirror
Finally, all this stuff is great. Technology is great. Independent and self-guided study is great. BUT, I think we could do with a bit more focus on the fundamentals. All that "alternative" stuff is great, but it must be reserved for those who have already learned to sit down, shut up, study and learn, and who have learned to properly read, write and compute (not work a computer, compute).
Amen to that. A lot of times I think Slashdotters take for granted that everyone is as curious and geared toward learning as they are. To me, the average computer geek seems to be THIRSTY for knowledge. However the average high school student isn't. Anyone who thinks otherwise should be required to teach for two weeks.
but this SO sounds like a political trick to make it look like they do something for kids education, instead of REALLY tackling problems...
I can't speak for Maine, but here, the people responsible for making the major decisions in education have either NEVER been in a public school classroom as an instructor, or haven't been there in several years. They've become so far removed from the problem, that when they try to help, they're making decisions in a vacuum. Every few years, a new decision is made followed by several large purchases, and this is heraleded <sp?> as the new savior of public education.
I'd hate to be the support staff for any school district up in Maine...
Amen. I'll wager the budget for support is in no way tied to the # of PC's, laptops or whatever is coming into the state. They'll have all these machines and then wonder why the Network admin and his technician can't keep them all going.
He actually seems to know what he's talking about in the interview.
Or someone has written him a list of specs he can repeat in interviews.
$500 or less each
One piece, no upgradability, send back to manufacturer for repairs 3 year warranty - Maybe
contain a small amount writable flash memory
These are starting to sound like these little WinCE things we tried a few years ago. Looks like a kiddie laptop. Difficult to use. Screens dim after the first year. One solid piece. After the initial year warranty the company wouldn't call us back. The manual looks like a promotional pamphlet and there's no support otherwise.
the sudents won't be allowed to load any programs on them
That statement cracks me up. Sure, until your serious hacker kid gets bored with pocket Word and solitaire. Then he figures out how to put a copy of Scorched earth in the flash memory. Then his buddy asks him how he did it, so he shows him, and he shows another kid. Soon everyone's playing it. Then they figure out P2P, and now EVERYONE has a copy of Student X's assignment.
If that's all they're getting, I estimate that these things will disappear within two years of showing up.
This kind of program looks real nice in the press, but I'll be willing to bet no thought has been given to what will happen once these kids have a laptop in their hands. I work as a technician for a school district in a state where our governor thought it would be a good idea to do the same thing this year, plus give a well deserved raise to the teachers. It was a grand press event, but here were our pitfalls:
1. Abuse. A school is one of the only environments in the world where your users are also actively trying to destroy the computers. Everyone forgets that one, but remember, the same kids that were carving their names on desks and slamming their peers into lockers, are now trying to pry the keys of keyboards to spell curse words. Not to mention the "leet script kiddie" set who are trying to prove how awesome they are.
2. Support. I'll wager that it'll fall on the schools/districts/whatever to keep these laptops up and working. 17,000 laptops, let's say one technician per 500 laptops, that'll be 34 Technicians needed this year. He's planning on doing this every year until these kids become seniors. That's 204 Techs over the next 6 years. In our state, for a non-college grad w/experience, a tech can only expect to make $22,000/yr. That's $748,000 for new techs this year. and in 6 years it'll be $4,488,000 for 204 techs.
3. Networking/Software. One of the first things people cry when they get a new computer is "when can I get on the internet?" I would assume these schools are gonna have to get wireless networking. If not, then what? Next, did they include a copy of Office on every PC? or Works? or Star Office (hopefully)?
4. Teacher Training. They're spending $1 mil. on training according to the article. So let's drum up some numbers 17,000 students / 30 per classroom leaves about 566 Teachers. Now most teacher training occurs after school hours, so imagine spending 8 solid hours with 30 7th graders, then having to spend another couple in a class that you weren't really enthused about to begin with. Also, most likely they won't get to actually implement what they learned for at least 3 months (can't train in summer, b/c teachers are off contract then, and they'd have to be paid to come). By not using that training quickly, they'll start to lose it.
5. Curriculum. I've seen teachers with only one pc in the classroom and turn that one PC into a wonderful teaching experience. But I've seen these same teachers frustrated beyond belief, because the day they had an entire class period planned around using the computer, it broke, or the network was down, or whatever. What happens when they plan a class activity, and one student has a broken laptop, another left his home, and a third student had it stolen? I'll wager there's no replacements, or loaners being budgeted for. Likewise I've seen teachers with an entire lab full of brand new computers, which were turned into garbage within a year, b/c the teacher didn't know (or care) about teaching with them, and didn't keep an eye on the kids. I've seen PC's given to kids as a "reward" for sitting through a class. At this point they become overpriced gaming consoles, because the teachers never implemented them in class correctly.
Bottom line, it looks good in an election, and it's a great way for a governor to reward his supporters once it's over (big contracts for lots of PC's). But on the whole, the headaches can easily outway the gain here. And since I'm griping, I'd tell you how I'd fix it. I'd give a laptop to every teacher with a TV out, or TV converter, whatever is needed. Then I'd set up a number of labs on a campus, in proportion to the number of students on that campus. A teacher who is going to integrate technology in the curriculum can, with those tools, and one who doesn't care won't cause much trouble in the process. But new labs mean more room, and more room means new buildings, which means more money. And who's gonna be proud of a governor who promises "A laptop for every teacher, and you kids go share a lab?"
My $0.02
I agree. While it was nice to see how everyone worked together up there and built something they could feel "ownership" in, I got the impression that the whole article was a chance to dig at Russian space control. NASA praised the table, while Russain Space Control said it couldn't be done? Aren't these guys supposed to be working together? Granted, CNN is reporting to an American audience, so I can understand playing up the American angle a little bit, but this seems like it's poking fun at Russian Space Control a little too much.
- We have over 500 pc's, 100+ printers, and 18+ servers spread over 50 miles from the farthest points.
- Until last year there was only one person (my boss) to handle *all* computer problems (plus writing grants, planning the networks, budgeting, proposing plans to school board, and coaching track/soccer)
- I was hired last year, and all tech work, network administration, planning,tech support and occasionally purchase requests was passed on to me.
- A school system is one of the only places where a third of the users you must support are actively trying to break the equipment/software/security.
- Around half our teachers are actively trying to understand and use the technology, 1/4 consider it a necessary evil and try to use it only after being threatened, and another 1/4 want nothing to do with it and will break it before they'll try to use it.
I don't think it's wrong to want technology that works, I also don't believe that any of your expectations were too high. But it's never just as easy as saying "let's do it" with a school system. Very often schools make the initial commitment, but there is never a follow-up plan or budget for taking care of ongoing maintenance. There are a lot of teachers and administrators who want to give the students the best they can offer, but often the needs in a school are so varied, and each just as urgent as the next, that sometimes you have to decide which one will get taken care of, and which will get left until later.So what's the answer? More money is first thing most people say. That's fine but it's not really the solution. More *resources* would be the way I'd phrase it. In our position we need updated facilities, more techs, training for teachers, up to date equipment . . . oh wait, I guess you need money to do all that. Well that means higher taxes. Nevermind, no one will vote for that. Three years running the people in this district have turned down a bond that would have built new buildings at each school, and repaired the old buildings, as well as funded all sorts of other improvments. With a school board trying to keep 50+ year old building from collapsing, Technology funding takes a back seat. If it hadn't been for E-Rate and other grants, we would have what we've got now.
So the frustration builds. For me because I can't keep it running smoothly. For the teachers because it never works like they expected. For the administrators because they can't fund what they feel is important to education. And for you because you can't use the technology that's there. All I can say for now is sorry, we're doing the best we can.