I think it will continue to innovate and expand learning and technological skill set for our children.Is Web based learning and tutoring next?
Congrats to HHS Grad tonight on achieving your diploma's

It's very important to keep our teachers and students current with all the new technology that is being developed. I think it's here to stay!!

While technology in the classroom is a fantastic idea, I think we should actually sponsor a bring your own device (BYOD) policy. I think it MUCH more important to spend district dollars on keeping our student to teacher ratio down. I'd rather see us keep the classrooms under 20-1 than give kids computers that they probably already have at home. We keep building new homes in an already crowded town, so we're going to need more teachers to keep up with the number of kids entering the school system.

Technology is the classrooms is happening - regardless of how we feel about it. It is important to make sure our kids have all the necessary tools to compete in todays society and workplace. While I can understand the cost concerns, I would almost bet that there is grant money and corporate discount incentives involved here. Although a bring your own device policy sounds like a good plan, the problem arises when the hardware and software are not compatible with those used in the schools. We experienced this problem this year. My daughter's laptop had all the latest versions of the popular software but they were not compatible with what the school had. Even "saving down" a version did not work. At least if the schools own and maintain the devices, one would think the software would be consistent throughout the district.

I'm all for technology and I think it's great that the schools are keeping up with the latest and greatest, however we really need the schools to equip air conditioning and have full day Kindergarten. Why can't the town allocate some of the funds to these areas so kids can focus on learning without being exhausted from the heat?

This is part of what educators are experiencing known as 21st century pedagogy and learning. GENy children (1990-2000) are living in a time of technology and digital content. Research points towards GENy as being a generation of knowledge workers where productivity is the norm. This generation needs to be fluent in 3rs we all know (reading, writing, arithmetic) and now the 4cs (creativity, communication, collaboration, critical thinking) for global competitiveness and the way of the future. They live through technology. Their teachers need to keep up with their needs for success. Their are grants available to schools to help them begin to "flip" their classrooms and launch what Verizon is calling Innovative Learning Schools. Its an exciting time. Teachers and parents can find more at thinkfinity by verizon or just google 21St Century learning. Great videos at TED and TEDx on this subject, too.

I'm using a mobile device in grad school, so why shouldn't my children? Learning is learning is learning. We must not forget that at one point pencil and paper were the new, disruptive technology and nobody would want to go back to the formerly tried and true method of rote memorization. Taking notes, sometimes your own thoughts, is important. Likewise, inserting an image or adding a link to a relevant source are important as well. Once in a while new, disruptive technologies come along, such as the printed book, the world wide web, and mobile computers. We need to embrace these new tools, or be left behind flipping burgers.

Hillsborough jumps in first and then we see what happens later, just how it is. I will say, the rollout should not include a limited number of students. What includes one child and does not include another, will very well change the education each child will receive in same school system, same grade. No bueno. How are the "10%" selected?? We should do this when we can do it for an ENTIRE grade (maybe let another school "experiment" to a decision on whether we go ALL IN)...or we continue to maintain uniform experience for all across a grade. If you are picked as a "10%'er"...do you have to pay more for the added benefit the school system is giving you?? Nope...so there is a bias there in selection.

I love technology & have for years. There is a real place for it in schools. I do wonder if there are any studies of a "down side" to using tablets? Who get picked to use them for starters? How fast & with what research will other children get a chance? How carefully is software analysized and by whom? Knowledgible Educators or software producers? What age is optimum? Toddlers can swype and pop but are they learning anything that Legos or other toy/tools can not give them? What about socialization skills? other motor skills, Handwriting to sign your name? Verbalization? Physically taking notes so information goes thru hand to mind, and is not just downloaded?
Don't stop technology but look at the big picture and the total child development; don't just rush to spend money on the latest thing hoping it is the magic bullet that will make children learn. Get their parents involved. Sometimes that's really hard, but it is the key to any child's academic success!
Sherry