entering our one-to-one program were recently updated. The 2008-2009
school year will be the 10th year of our laptop program. What has happened
with laptop computer technology over the past ten years? What is likely to
happen over the next ten years?
Let's start with the core capabilities.
1999 2008 2018 (projected using 1999-2008 rates)
RAM 96 2000 41666 in MegaBytes
CPU 300 2400 19200 in Mhz
HD 3.2 160 8000 in GigaBytes
COST 2086 1199 689 in constant dollars (inflation adjusted)
In addition the 2008 laptop has:
-faster wireless networking
-a higher resolution screen
-lighter weight
-a much better operating system
-a built in video camera
-a DVD read/write optical drive vs a CD-ROM drive
The only thing that hasn't improved much is battery life.
During this same 10 year period the Internet has blossomed into a vast
rich resource of information, much of questionable worth or even harmful,
but much of it incredibly useful. The Internet has also developed, via Web
2.0 tools, into a communications medium that allows all of us to be
publishers as well as consumers of information. It is a sure bet that the
Internet and Internet-based software will continue to evolve at a torrid
pace over the next 10 years.
My school is working hard to adjust its practices to take advantage of all
this, as are most schools. If the next ten years bring changes in
information technology at a similar pace -which seems likely- then many
more adjustments will be needed.
One of the biggest challenges we face in the next decade is retraining the
adults in our communities so that they can take advantage of the
educational opportunities being opened up by increasingly powerful
information technology.
I suspect that many of our schools have been adding or repositioning staff
to focus on technology-related professional development. It would be great
to develop a forum for these people to share ideas and practices. Before
creating such a forum I thought I'd canvas the ISED community for ideas.
Thanks,
Fred
-------------------------
Fred Bartels
Head - Computer Department
Rye Country Day School
914-925-4610
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