ultraportables
Dell Mini-Note Project-March 2009: Update 1
Submitted by Shelley_Chamberlain on Sun, 11/30/2008 - 6:30pm.
The Dell Mini-note laptop project is an extension of the TAC 1-1 learning project team during the 2007-2008 school year. Last April, the 1-1 learning project studied the effects of having one laptop per child in two out of three science 8th grade classrooms at Brown Middle School. Two vendors (Apple and HP) graciously loaned enough laptops for each child to use during science class for 7 weeks. One classroom used MacBooks and the other used HP tablets. The student outcomes of this pilot were very positive. Students benefited in the following ways:
- Improved student performance
- Differentiated instruction
- Improved student focus
- Higher level of student understanding and motivation
- Enhanced student-teacher communication
- Improving technology skills
(See attachment for full report to NPS? School Committee)
Asus EEE - Ultraportable computer
Submitted by Erik on Wed, 04/30/2008 - 11:51am.
In yesterday's TAC? meeting, we were talking about the surprising success of the Asus EEE, which has really stimulated the market for Ultraportable computers.
Just saw the following promotion for it at TigerDirect.com. To see it, click here.
Asus Eee PC 2G Surf - Intel Mobile CPU, 802.11b/g Wireless, 512MB DDR2, 2GB SSD, 7" WVGA, Linux (Sky Blue)
The new Asus Eee PC 2G Surf brings portable computing to the next
level. At 7-inches and weighing only 2 pounds, you can take the Eee PC
anywhere. This amazing little notebook features rich network and
wireless connectivity, a graphic user interface for simplicity and ease
of use, and more than 40 built-in applications. With the Asus Eee PC,
bumps and shocks are no longer issues, because it features a dependable
solid-state 2GB storage drive that gives you unparalleled
shock-protection and reliability. Power-efficient design provides
longer operating time when you’re on the go. Perfect for the student,
the Asus Eee PC 2G Surf offers an excellent Internet experience and
makes it easy to learn, work, and play. Shop the World Wide Web without
attaching any lines or wires. Learn through the latest technology
without a technical manual. Connect with friends and family with just a
few clicks. You’re always connected with built-in WiFi 802.11 b/g that
automatically detects and connects to the Internet at any hotspot. The
Eee PC includes the documents and the e-mails software, and a suite of
other productivity software to help keep you on track. Upload photos
and videos and share them instantly on Flickr or YouTube without
waiting till you get home. Enjoy music and videos with extensive
support for a wide range of digital multimedia. Log on to Skype or
other networks, and you can connect with friends anywhere, anytime.
Best of all, the ultra-portable Asus Eee PC 2G Surf is incredibly
inexpensive – so you’d better place your order quickly before the word
gets out that this is the best deal anywhere for a super-light,
versatile notebook that makes even schoolwork tons of fun!
1-1 Learning Pilot-Stage 2
Submitted by Shelley_Chamberlain on Fri, 03/14/2008 - 9:52pm.
Lastest update:
We received 28 macbooks on loan from Apple and will be using them for one 8th grade science classroom at Brown to support two science units. We are meeting 2/20/08 with the teacher to define our assessments before and after each unit as well as the final student product.
We also heard we will be able to borrow tablet pcs by the end of the month. We are working on the logistics of that loan to see if we can fit it in this late in the year. We are still hoping to borrow some ultaportables.
Trends for School Networking
Submitted by Shelley_Chamberlain on Fri, 03/14/2008 - 8:57pm.
As a quick summary of my 3 days spent at CoSN's 13th Annual K-12 School Networking Conference
Visionary Leadership: Scaffolding 21st Century Learning with Technology
(Sunday, March 9 - Tuesday, March 11, 2008).
I noticed the following trends:
• Assessment—data warehousing and bringing the data to the teacher desktop (unlocking the data) as well as online assessment
• Making the case that 21st century skills are crucial and can be supported using technology
• Laptop 1-1 initiative as part of an Intelligent Classroom (projector with whiteboards)
• Ultraportables—two years out???
PC Evolution (ultraportables)
Submitted by Shelley_Chamberlain on Mon, 02/18/2008 - 9:10pm.
One of five trends written in the CoSN newletter. This can only help the 1-1 learning initiative.
Consortium for School Networking (CoSN)
1025 Vermont Avenue NW, Suite 1010, Washington, DC 20005
ph 202.861.2676 fx 202.393.2011 email info@cosn.org web www.cosn.org
Evolution of the PC Perhaps spurred by the increasing focus on the environment, there are several predictions on 2008 being the year of the evolving PC. PCs are expected to get smaller, more affordable, and use less energy, although not necessarily all in the same product. Begun by Apple in January with announcement of the Macbook Air -- "the world's thinnest notebook" -- 2008 may be the year the ultraportable becomes popular. Going hand-in-hand with this development is a similar increase expected in the use of flash drives, with one source predicting that each of the major PC vendors will release at least one flash drive-equipped laptop this year. The push to make cheaper PCs, which began with the One Laptop Per Child initiative and the introduction of the Asus Eee PC, may also move into the mainstream, with predictions that Apple and Dell will develop similar, low-cost PCs in 2008.
