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<title>RE: [Year 12 IPM] Computer Lab usage</title>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span lang=EN-US
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>Mark, <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span lang=EN-US
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=blue face=Arial><span lang=EN-US
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>“Shift happens”.
<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span lang=EN-US
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span lang=EN-US
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span lang=EN-US
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>Zach Alexakos</span></font><font
size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:navy'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span lang=EN-US
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;font-weight:bold'>From:</span></font></b><font
size=2 face=Tahoma><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'>
ipm-bounces@edulists.com.au [mailto:ipm-bounces@edulists.com.au] <b><span
style='font-weight:bold'>On Behalf Of </span></b>Mark Scott<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> Thursday, 7 September 2006
9:02 AM<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b> Year 12 Information Technology
Processing and Management Teachers'MailingList<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> RE: [Year 12 IPM]
Computer Lab usage</span></font><span lang=EN-US><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>Just read this three times and
still don’t understand<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>Do you agree with me or am I a
complete idiot?<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>Mark Scott<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<div>
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face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt'>
<hr size=2 width="100%" align=center tabindex=-1>
</span></font></div>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span lang=EN-US
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;font-weight:bold'>From:</span></font></b><font
size=2 face=Tahoma><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'>
ipm-bounces@edulists.com.au [mailto:ipm-bounces@edulists.com.au] <b><span
style='font-weight:bold'>On Behalf Of </span></b>Stephen Digby<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> Thursday, 7 September 2006
8:14 AM<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b> 'Year 12 Information
Technology Processing and ManagementTeachers'Mailing List'<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> RE: [Year 12 IPM]
Computer Lab usage</span></font><span lang=EN-US><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-US
style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=blue face=Arial><span lang=EN-US
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>- the community is voting
with its feet for privatized (user pays) education - </span></font><font
size=2 color=black face=Arial><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial;color:black'>Shift happens. </span></font><font size=2
color=blue face=Arial><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:
Arial;color:blue'>You can't deny it or legislate against it. Live with it.
Embrace it.</span></font><span lang=EN-US><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=blue face=Arial><span lang=EN-US
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>- the community and the
national government want student progress reports expressed as a single index
(A-F) in relation to objective benchmarks - </span></font><font size=2
color=black face=Arial><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:
Arial;color:black'>Shift happens. </span></font><font size=2 color=blue
face=Arial><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:blue'>You can't deny it or legislate against it. Live with it. Embrace
it.</span></font><span lang=EN-US><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=blue face=Arial><span lang=EN-US
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>- most school communities
want their schools to exclude students who damage the opportunity or safety of
other students. Schools who don't do this (esp. government schools)
are not attractive to parents with choices - </span></font><font
size=2 color=black face=Arial><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial;color:black'>Shift happens. </span></font><font size=2
color=blue face=Arial><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:
Arial;color:blue'>You can't deny it or legislate against it. Live with it.
Embrace it.</span></font><span lang=EN-US><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-US
style='font-size:12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=blue face=Arial><span lang=EN-US
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>- I could go on......</span></font><span
lang=EN-US><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-US
style='font-size:12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=blue face=Arial><span lang=EN-US
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>Most educators are very
selective about embracing "change". <br>
The changes that they embrace are usually those that fit their personal values
and their career aspirations.</span></font><span lang=EN-US><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=blue face=Arial><span lang=EN-US
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>The current line
management of educational structures has created an atmosphere where to
"talk the talk" is essential to getting promotion.</span></font><span
lang=EN-US><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=blue face=Arial><span lang=EN-US
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>Thus, the hegemony of
ideas from the "authorities' has come to mean the employer.</span></font><span
lang=EN-US><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-US
style='font-size:12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=blue face=Arial><span lang=EN-US
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>What I am trying
to say is that there is more money, and therefore more "snake
oil", in IT than most areas of the curriculum. To retain some
intellectual credibility and autonomy, it is wise to ensure that the benefits
of "change" are evaluated in an objective sense rather than accepted
as articles of faith in the vision of the current politician.</span></font><span
lang=EN-US><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-US
style='font-size:12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=blue face=Arial><span lang=EN-US
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>======================================================================================<br>
Stephen Digby, Learning Technology Manager <br>
<a href="mailto:admin@cheltsec.vic.edu.au">mailto:admin@cheltsec.vic.edu.au</a>
<br>
<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Cheltenham</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceName
w:st="on">Secondary</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">College</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>
<a href="http://www.cheltsec.vic.edu.au/">www.cheltsec.vic.edu.au</a> Ph: 613
955 55 955 Fx: 9555 8617<br>
======================================================================================<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=blue face=Arial><span lang=EN-US
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'><br>
<br>
My friend Winnie is a procrastinator. He didn't get his birthmark until he was
eight years old.- Steven Wright </span></font><span lang=EN-US><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-US
style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
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face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt'>
<hr size=2 width="100%" align=center tabIndex=-1>
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<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><b><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span
lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;font-weight:bold'>From:</span></font></b><font
size=2 face=Tahoma><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'>
ipm-bounces@edulists.com.au [mailto:ipm-bounces@edulists.com.au] <b><span
style='font-weight:bold'>On Behalf Of </span></b>Mark Scott<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> 06 September 2006 08:47 PM<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b> <st1:PersonName w:st="on">Year
12 Information Technology Processing and Management Teachers'Mailing List</st1:PersonName><br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> RE: [Year 12 IPM]
Computer Lab usage</span></font><span lang=EN-US><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div id=idOWAReplyText44444>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span lang=EN-US
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>Shift happens</span></font><span
lang=EN-US><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-US
style='font-size:12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>You can't deny it or legislate against it.</span></font><span
lang=EN-US><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-US
style='font-size:12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Live with it.</span></font><span lang=EN-US><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-US
style='font-size:12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Embrace it.</span></font><span lang=EN-US><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-US
style='font-size:12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Mark Scott</span></font><span lang=EN-US><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-US
style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt'>
<hr size=2 width="100%" align=center tabIndex=-1>
</span></font></div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><b><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span
lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;font-weight:bold'>From:</span></font></b><font
size=2 face=Tahoma><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'>
ipm-bounces@edulists.com.au on behalf of Stephen Digby<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> Wed 6/09/2006 8:03 PM<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b> 'Year 12 Information
Technology Processing and ManagementTeachers'Mailing List'<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> RE: [Year 12 IPM]
Computer Lab usage</span></font><span lang=EN-US><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p><font size=2 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt'>Hate
to always be the voice of reason, but I am firmly against
"change". I<br>
am only in favor of "improvement". The problem with many
changes that are<br>
proposed is that the case for them as improvements is not made.<br>
Recalcitrant is a good word as it refers to the refusal to accept authority.<br>
It is in the "unreason"able exercise of authority that recalcitrant
behavior<br>
can be a virtue - think of many issues not doubt dear to many hearts -<br>
corporal punishment, enforced numerical grading, enforced letter grades,<br>
enforced ranking reports, etc etc... Would YOU be recalcitrant ?<br>
<br>
Please let's focus on rational debate about what are improvement options and<br>
why they ARE improvements, rather than on an "authority" that tells
us that<br>
some changed classroom technology or layout is an improvement.<br>
<br>
============================================================================<br>
==========<br>
Stephen Digby, Learning Technology Manager<br>
<a href="mailto:admin@cheltsec.vic.edu.au">mailto:admin@cheltsec.vic.edu.au</a> <br>
<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Cheltenham</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceName
w:st="on">Secondary</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">College</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>
www.cheltsec.vic.edu.au Ph: 613 955 55 955 Fx:<br>
9555 8617<br>
============================================================================<br>
==========<br>
<br>
<br>
All that glisters is not gold.<br>
Shakespeare: From The Merchant of Venice (II, vii) Portia is a beautiful,<br>
virtuous, wealthy woman who is being wooed by numerous suitors. She is not<br>
free to decide on her own whom she will marry because her late father ...<br>
<br>
-----Original Message-----<br>
From: ipm-bounces@edulists.com.au [<a href="mailto:ipm-bounces@edulists.com.au">mailto:ipm-bounces@edulists.com.au</a>]
On<br>
Behalf Of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Bell</st1:City></st1:place>,
Cameron P<br>
Sent: 06 September 2006 12:44 PM<br>
To: Year 12 Information Technology Processing and Management<br>
Teachers'MailingList<br>
Subject: RE: [Year 12 IPM] Computer Lab usage<br>
<br>
Depends on the culture of the school too.<br>
I think wholesale systematic change is hardest for schools to deal with.<br>
I am sure we have all had dealings with some teachers that have the "this
is<br>
the way we have always done it" attitude and fight change. They often have<br>
the loudest voice in meetings and have the "fear-factor" in their
favour.<br>
Other schools have leadership that encourages change and - dare I say it -<br>
"taking risks". A culture like this can help reduce the effect of the<br>
nay-sayers and will provide the resources to facilitate change.<br>
<br>
I have also had a few teachers close to retirement refusing point blank to<br>
learn any new systems or procedures. I have been told "I am retiring next<br>
year, I am not going to worry about learning something new now." On the<br>
opposite side, you have those who just want to keep learning - regardless of<br>
their age or circumstances. I really admire that, as that is exactly the<br>
attitude I would want to instill in the students - life-long, ongoing<br>
learning.<br>
<br>
So that change can happen, how do you encourage "recalcitrant" (for
want of<br>
a better word) teachers to accept that we must constantly change and adapt<br>
to new circumstances so that it is not seen as a burden, but an opportunity?<br>
Would love any additional strategies people can suggest.<br>
<br>
Cameron<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
-----Original Message-----<br>
From: ipm-bounces@edulists.com.au [<a href="mailto:ipm-bounces@edulists.com.au">mailto:ipm-bounces@edulists.com.au</a>]<br>
On Behalf Of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Murray</st1:City></st1:place>
O.<br>
Sent: Wednesday, September 06, 2006 11:17 AM<br>
To: Year 12 Information Technology Processing and Management<br>
Teachers'MailingList<br>
Subject: RE: [Year 12 IPM] Computer Lab usage<br>
<br>
Mark<br>
I disagree with you.<br>
Based on my experience, I think teachers are highly adaptable to change be<br>
planned or unplanned. That being said I too get frustrated at trying to<br>
facilitate change in schools.<br>
<br>
Can you tell of other professions or groups of adults that change quickly?<br>
<br>
Regards,<br>
Oliver Murray<br>
Web Developer<br>
<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Westbourne</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType
w:st="on">Grammar School</st1:PlaceType></st1:place><br>
www.westbournegrammar.com<br>
<br>
-----Original Message-----<br>
From: ipm-bounces@edulists.com.au [<a href="mailto:ipm-bounces@edulists.com.au">mailto:ipm-bounces@edulists.com.au</a>]<br>
On Behalf Of Mark Scott<br>
Sent: Wednesday, 6 September 2006 10:30 AM<br>
To: Year 12 Information Technology Processing and Management<br>
Teachers'MailingList<br>
Subject: RE: [Year 12 IPM] Computer Lab usage<br>
<br>
We are talking teachers.<br>
<br>
This is a species renown for not changing quickly.<br>
<br>
Mark<br>
<br>
-----Original Message-----<br>
From: ipm-bounces@edulists.com.au [<a href="mailto:ipm-bounces@edulists.com.au">mailto:ipm-bounces@edulists.com.au</a>]<br>
On Behalf Of jturner<br>
Sent: Wednesday, 6 September 2006 10:11 AM<br>
To: Year 12 Information Technology Processing and Management<br>
Teachers'Mailing List<br>
Subject: Re: [Year 12 IPM] Computer Lab usage<br>
<br>
The big mistake people continue to make is seeing technology as the catalyst<br>
for sustainable change in education when it should be people.<br>
Technology is invaluable whatever its peculiarities but learner centered<br>
means people at the center.<br>
John<br>
<br>
On 05/09/2006, at 3:41 PM, Mark Scott wrote:<br>
<br>
> I have said it before and no doubt I will say it again.<br>
><br>
> The biggest advantage in introducing student owned laptops into a<br>
> school is that it can be used as a catalyst for change.<br>
><br>
> You can start to talk about learner centred classrooms instead of<br>
> teacher centred ones.<br>
><br>
> ... and of course this is not the only strategy you try, just one of<br>
> several.<br>
><br>
> Mark Scott<br>
> <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Luther</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceName
w:st="on">College</st1:PlaceName></st1:place><br>
><br>
> -----Original Message-----<br>
> From: ipm-bounces@edulists.com.au [<a
href="mailto:ipm-bounces@edulists.com.au">mailto:ipm-bounces@edulists.com.au</a>]<br>
> On Behalf Of Michael Walker<br>
> Sent: Tuesday, 5 September 2006 3:06 PM<br>
> To: Year 12 Information Technology Processing and Management<br>
> Teachers'Mailing List<br>
> Subject: Re: [Year 12 IPM] Computer Lab usage<br>
><br>
>>>> Laurie Savage<sav@pvgc.vic.edu.au> 09/05/06 12:07pm
>>><br>
>>> And now we have a generation of people who cannot do the simplest<br>
> calculation in their head.<br>
><br>
> Laurie<br>
><br>
>>>> Mark Scott wrote:<br>
>> They said the same thing about calculators back in the early<br>
> seventies.<br>
><br>
> Ah generalisations, you've got to love them... 8^)<br>
><br>
> I would argue that with the use of calculators, you don't need to do<br>
> the simplest calculation in your head. However, it requires a<br>
> different skill set to check that your calculator is giving you an<br>
> accurate answer rather than no skill set at all, hence the higher<br>
> emphasis on estimation that occurs in teaching maths now than when I<br>
> was at school. Tempora mutantur, nos et mutamur in illis...<br>
><br>
> I would also argue that those kids I know of who have trouble<br>
> performing the simplest calculation aren't all that flash on using the<br>
> calculator either. I would suggest that a greater cause is lack of<br>
> interest for whatever reason from boring teaching methods in previous<br>
> years showing the kids how irrelevant maths is to lack of support at<br>
> home for doing homework and school in general. Now there's a can of<br>
> worms or three...<br>
><br>
> Although I don't think laptops are a cure for all ills, I suspect that<br>
> under some circumstances they can be a useful tool in the hands of the<br>
> right practitioner, and in others are a complete waste of time when<br>
the<br>
> circumstances of the school and students are taken into account. To<br>
> give some examples, I am sure that in some laptop schools, the laptops<br>
> are an expensive pseudo notebook / electronic textbook whose primary<br>
advantage<br>
> is larger capacity, neater handwriting (typing vs scribble) and better<br>
> searchability. Obviously Mark's school is not one of them based on his<br>
> response. That's not to say schools with poor use of laptops don't<br>
> exist, and anecdotal evidence would suggest that they do. On the other<br>
> hand, the same applies to schools who have changed their teaching to<br>
> make good use of new teaching methods available from every student<br>
> having the tool and having been taught a proficiency with it.<br>
><br>
> On the other hand, I would suspect that there would be scenarios where<br>
<br>
> a<br>
> $2000 laptop would be a poor use of family or school resources for the<br>
> perceived benefits compared to alternatives. Would a struggling<br>
western<br>
> suburbs secondary school be able to justify making every student buy a<br>
> laptop, even on finance? Would alternative approaches such as good use<br>
> of Moodle with external access be more appropriate in terms of bang<br>
for<br>
> buck?<br>
><br>
> I would suggest that neither black nor white are correct and that<br>
> although there is a place for laptops in schools, it would be silly to<br>
> try and suggest that it would be desirable for every school in the<br>
> state and every student in the state to have a laptop and be in a<br>
> laptop program. Or to suggest that every maths student in the state<br>
> can't do simple calculations in their head...<br>
><br>
><br>
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