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Unread 15-06-2011, 17:38
sanddrag sanddrag is offline
On to my 16th year in FRC
FRC #0696 (Circuit Breakers)
Team Role: Teacher
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Rookie Year: 2002
Location: Glendale, CA
Posts: 8,515
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Re: 1 to 1 Computing -- Seeking Input

My recommendation is that whatever you get, get the cheaper ones, and plan to replace them a few years down the line. All the time I see schools making foolish decisions buying the latest and greatest technology which loses its value due to depreciation and becomes obsolete long before they ever plan to replace or upgrade it. It makes much more sense to buy mediocre computers every 4 years than to buy awesome computers every 8 years.

Also, don't ever depend on the vendor for IT support. It simply won't happen. Your district needs a proficient, robust, efficient, and well staffed IT department to venture into this realm.

Finally, content, content, content!

What is going to be loaded onto these devices? What types of activities will the students be doing? Laptops, netbooks, tables, and Smart Boards are all useless in a learning environment without the educational content to go with them.

Also, as a matter of cost-benefit, what exactly is gained by giving the students a device they can take home as opposed to keeping the resources at the school. I'd expect a rather high loss and damage rate if they were allowed to regularly take them home.
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Teacher/Engineer/Machinist - Team 696 Circuit Breakers, 2011 - Present
Mentor/Engineer/Machinist, Team 968 RAWC, 2007-2010
Technical Mentor, Team 696 Circuit Breakers, 2005-2007
Student Mechanical Leader and Driver, Team 696 Circuit Breakers, 2002-2004
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