Computer Utilization & Laptop Issues
Discussion Points by David Guiliani in a meeting (3/27/01) with Bernie Noe

Observations:

• The extensive communications and participation by faculty, staff, parents, and students on this issue. discussions is broadly appreciated - evidence to the power of people+technology.
• Parents generally strongly favor broadened computer utilization enhancing the learning processes, and better prepares students for the technology enhanced college and "real" world. Reports from middle school teachers on how this was achieved were encouraging.
• The major intended benefits can be achieved without mandatory laptops. A predictable computer capability is the major requirement for teachers to harness most of the benefits. The lack of in-class access resulting from not having mandatory laptops is a relatively minor.
• The proposed "mandatory laptop program" came across somewhat in a planning vacuum. A comprehensive technology planning process is essential to success in this valuable, expensive, and rapidly changing tool area. While such planning may exist, improved communications would have helped avoid misconceptions.
• Laptops can play an important role in a technology strategy, and should be supported for those students who want them, and for those situations where they can be useful.
• Families vary significantly in terms of computer hardware/software/fluency. Bringing the families along the technology path can be an important benefit.
• Parent concerns specific to laptops relate to both costs and benefits: (1) cost of laptops, especially for juniors and seniors; (3) burden and liability of carrying them; (2) risk of technology pushing out traditional development, e.g. critical thinking. I.e. if it "ain't broke, don't fix it."

Recommendation:

• Objectify required student computer functionality [see note below] (hardware, software, and skills), so that faculty can build curricula based on good assumptions.
• Implement with a "you choose laptop or fixed computer" strategy, giving parent families a choice of two supported platforms:
  1. Laptops with wireless access for campus use, and capable of internet communications at home. Offer a hardware/software package as is being planned. Laptop data can be backed up on a central server.
  2. Use of fixed computers at Lakeside, plus home computers which access Lakeside's central file servers. Curriculum and student files are available in either location.
• Identify students (and families) who need assistance in obtaining sufficient training and resources to be at least minimally functional & fluent in this computer enriched environment. E.g.: classes, tutoring, parent support groups.
• Invest in faculty & staff curriculum development to utilize this rich new tool set, as is being planned.
• Maintain a laptop pool to be available for those limited situations where a laptop is very important (e.g. short term needs of a given class.)
• Develop a phased technology plan useful for 5 years. Utilize faculty, staff and parent expertise.

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Note: e.g. Hardware: Windows 98 or ME, 300 MHz or higher processor, 4 Gbytes of hard drive space. Software: Office 98 with Word, Excel, Powerpoint.