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http://www.insanely-great.com/news.php?id=1261
iBooks are Buddies in Maine
By Remy Davison, Insanely Great Mac
November 15th 2002
Mac portables in education a roaring success.
Apple and Maine's iBook success story rolls on. Not only has the state's laptop
program recently received an award, but seventh and eighth-graders can't get enough of
it.
"It's my school buddy," said an eighth-grader, quoted in a
Wired story.
Even more surprisingly, there doesn't seem to be a rash of broken LCDs and crushed
keyboards in the repair shop. Students are taking care of their iBooks.
The students also learn basic programming instead of memorzing formulae. Proponents of
the Maine program point to its 'real-world' relevance, arguing that it gets kids
thinking about science and mathematics
Students also put their iBooks on charging carts and use protective black bags for
their portables. At this stage, it appears that critics of the program, who asserted
that 12 years olds weren't responsible enough to tote around expensive laptops, have
egg on their faces.
Analysis: Maine's success may force other states to take a long, hard look at laptop
programs. Where I hail from, it's compulsory in private schools (i.e., ones your
parents shell out a pile of money to go to) for kids aged 9 or 10 to purchase a laptop
(either outright purchase or school lease). Wealthy people know that tech literacy is
the road to staying wealthy in the future - and they're prepared to pay for it.
But of course, technology of itself isn't a panacea for unemployment; great
educational software and tech-savvy teachers who know how to implement computer-based
learning are still the keys to success.
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