A survey of states towards 1:1 computing

Welcome Back for the 2009-2010 school year! Let's start the school year with a nice article summarizing recent work by Project Red on state's current progress towards implementing 1:1 programs:

http://www.eschoolnews.com/news/top-news/?i=60444

Eugene (WA) Schools deal with theft of educational technology

Two elementary schools grapple with the loss of $100,000 worth of educational technology. KVAL.org's full story here:

http://www.kval.com/news/local/45361322.html

Greek High School students to recieve 120,000 laptops

A new program will provide 120,000 Greek high school students beginning in Fall 2009. The Information Society Program (financed by the EU) will fund the new program. From the GRReporter:

http://www.grreporter.info/statiaen.php?mysid=2040&t=3&SESID=cvqru76eu4f0t3smgi3nm5fcd6

Texas House approves bill on funds for electronic texts in school

Texas House approves bill that opens up funding for electronic textbook resources in schools.

From the Dallas Morning News:

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/texassouthwest/stories/DN-textbooks_03tex.ART.State.Edition1.4afd165.html

Norway experiments with computer-based student assessments

In an effort to improve student assessment, the Norwegian Ministry of Education is piloting a program whereby students complete a national assessment using specially developed software.

From the BBC:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8027300.stm

Maine High Schools Surveyed on 1:1 Interest

Maine high schools weigh in on their interest in the state's 1:1 high school plans.

From the Kennebec Journal (ME):

http://kennebecjournal.mainetoday.com/news/local/6206227.html

Anti-theft laptops to be issued to Australia students

As past of Australia's grade 9-12 1:1 laptop program, Lenova, the Chinese laptop supplier, promises to foil would-be thieves with built in security features:


http://www.news.com.au/story/0,27574,25323465-421,00.html

Australia invests in 200,000 Lenova laptops

"NSW students currently in Years 10, 11 and 12 will be given one laptop between two students to use in class, and those computers will be in schools by the year's end. All the laptops will come with Microsoft Office Professional, giving students access to programs such as Word, Excel and PowerPoint."

From the Australian:
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25274027-5013404,00.html

Rwanda: Laptops Will Increase Quality of Education

"The State Minister in charge of Primary and Secondary Education has said that the use of computers by students will help increase the quality of education in Rwanda."

From the New Times:
http://allafrica.com/stories/200904010021.html

Webcam brings school to special needs students

"Having this technology available is really a turning point for children with cancer and other serious illnesses," said Aziza Shad, Georgetown's pediatric oncology director. "They miss their teachers. They miss their friends. These laptops with webcams provide a perfect way for them to participate in a lesson and stay connected with their school."

From the Washington Post:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/30/AR2009033002130.html?hpid=sec-education