A Tablet PC for every student. I can barely imagine what schools will be like when this happens.
In the past, computer industry efforts to target the education market have focused on putting computers in libraries or adding computer labs. What’s so exciting about the Tablet PC—primarily because of it’s mobility—is that it changes the focus from counting the numbers of computers chained to a desk to the numbers of students carrying computers—ready to read, write, interact, challenge and be challenged wherever and whenever with the full benefit of a computer and access to the Internet.
The statistics illustrate the point. There’s something like 5 students per computer in K-12. Amazing. Lora tells me Vermont breaks it down further: 5 students per old computer and 7 students per new computer. I wonder what constitutes a new computer. Tablet PCs?
There are dozens of things that can improve the likelihood of Tablet PCs becoming an education mainstay, but it’s more likely to happen than not. It’s a matter of time and effort.
Of the education market, college students are probably the most likely to take the plunge today. Most students are going to buy a computer anyway. Tablet PCs are a natural step up: All the benefits of a standard computer plus the added capabilities of digital note taking and ultra portability.
College students make a significant financial commitment, so the cost of the Tablet PC spread over four years of education and compared against all the other costs of going to school is moderate. But college students are also great practical adopters of Tablet PCs because they are independent operators. Outside of WiFi, no other infrastructure needs to be built up in order for them to take advantage of the Tablet PC. They buy it. They use it.
Hmm. If I was entering college again, I’d take my Tablet PC and sign up for all the biotech and nanotechnology classes I could get. Oh yeah, I’d have to do homework again. And take tests. Yuk. Never mind.