http://beta.aalf.org/news/ http://beta.aalf.org/news/view.php?HeadlineID=1219 n Apple's backyard, a battle over digital learning tools-specifically iPads-is growing in one school district. ipads tech In the shadow of Apple Computer’s 1 Infinite Loop headquarters, an initiative requiring public middle schoolers to use iPads in class and at home has spawned a growing battle over education in the digital age. District officials and many teachers tout the iPads as innovative learning tools. Students, it seems, are thrilled to have them. But many parents in the affluent district—including some software engineers, Apple employees and a brain researcher—question the benefit of the devices, and hundreds have signed a petition to limit their use.... Tue, 14 Feb 2017 http://beta.aalf.org/news/view.php?HeadlineID=1218 With the kids heading back to school, it’s time to ask the serious questions, like what laptop do you buy, and how long until you have to buy another? Now that your children have returned to school, there’s a pretty good chance you’re being asked to get them a computer. While there are buyers guides, the obvious question is how long will it last? Unfortunately, the obvious question has a less than obvious answer, as these things can be very hard to gauge, especially as the Bring Your Own Device movement tends to lead into the just as important conundrum: how long until you need to replace the BYOD computer with something else? It’s a serious dilemma with a just-as-serious expectation, because as your kids work their way through school, there’s a good chance the laptop you arm them with now isn’t likely to be good to them two or three years later. So what’s a good amount of time for a computer to last?... Thu, 09 Feb 2017 http://beta.aalf.org/news/view.php?HeadlineID=1217 Come fall, high school students will be issued Chromebooks and pilot tests will start at the elementary schools. One grade level – from second to fifth grade – at each elementary school will participate. Stan Gorbatkin, assistant superintendent of technology services, said administrators originally only included third through fifth grades in its pilot plans, but teachers pushed to include second grade. One of advantages of every student having the same device is the aspect of equity, District 204 administrators said. Gorbatkin said he spoke with a middle school student who said the Chromebook meant he and his family had the same opportunities as other students. "We're lifting some kids up; we're lifting some families up. I'm proud of that," he said.... Thu, 19 Jan 2017 http://beta.aalf.org/news/view.php?HeadlineID=1215 Parents at some Victorian public primary schools are being asked to buy their children tablets or laptops as part of Bring Your Own Device policies. But many have raised concerns around the cost involved and the safety of the devices in the hands of primary school-aged children. Each school has a level of autonomy when it comes to device requirements and how they are acquired; some schools opt to provide devices and ask parents to pay an annual levy. However for Carol, a parent of three children attending a primary school in Greensborough in north-east Melbourne, that was not an option. She has had to buy an iPad Air 2 for her 10-year-old son, Red — the total cost with the required apps was well over $700.... Sun, 15 Jan 2017 http://beta.aalf.org/news/view.php?HeadlineID=1214 A new survey by a private education solutions provider has revealed that students might learn faster via technology such as smart phones, as it helps them in understand complex topics better. But most parents and schools in Mumbai prefer devices such as tabs or laptops as they fear phones might distract students.... Wed, 21 Dec 2016 http://beta.aalf.org/news/view.php?HeadlineID=1212 When, in 2007 the Government of Rwanda, through the One Laptop per Child Programme (OLPC), chose to distribute laptops to all children in primary schools across the country, some thought that this was just a dream that will never come to fruition. Fast-forward, nearly a decade after this initiative was rolled out, at least two schools in every administrative sector in every corner of the country, has these laptops deployed, and children are enjoying this privilege. Current statistics show that over 970 schools are beneficiary to the programme where more than 275,000 laptops have been deployed, which put Rwanda in the top position in Africa in as regards deployment of these machines, and only third globally after Uruguay and Peru.... Thu, 27 Oct 2016 http://beta.aalf.org/news/view.php?HeadlineID=1213 San Diego Unified School District has gone public with its work related to running 1-to-1 programs for 47,000 of its 132,000 students. The announcement arrived in a blog article that appeared on a Google site with a byline from Cindy Marten, the district\\\'s superintendent. This could turn out to be one of the country\\\'s largest student device deployments in a school district this year. The district, which has 226 schools, has deployed 16,000 Chromebooks running Google\\\'s G Suite for Education and Google Classroom.... Tue, 25 Oct 2016 http://beta.aalf.org/news/view.php?HeadlineID=1211 The government is set to roll out a countrywide distribution of 1.2 million laptops and other electronic devices to public primary schools through the Digital Literacy Programme set to be launched this Friday. A statement from the Ministry of ICT points out that all Cabinet Secretaries and Principal Secretaries will lead the distribution of devices to the schools in different parts of the country over the next one month. The devices which include laptops for Teachers and tablets for pupils are fitted with KICD approved syllabus with the content for class 1 and 2 available in 5 subjects.... Wed, 28 Sep 2016 http://beta.aalf.org/news/view.php?HeadlineID=1210 The project, christened, ‘One-child-one-tablet’, aims to bridge the educational gap between the African continent and the advanced economies, which have progressed briskly through digital technology. “The project will make our children explore more, learn faster and have fun at the same,” Mr Richmond Asumadu, the Chief Executive Officer of Brich Company said at the launch.... Tue, 13 Sep 2016 http://beta.aalf.org/news/view.php?HeadlineID=1209 The decision to discontinue the laptop programme is a retrograde step by the Government, says Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar. Under the People’s Partnership government led by Persad-Bissessar, every pupil entering secondary school was given a laptop which they were allowed to take home. Education Minister Anthony Garcia said yesterday that as of September 2016 secondary school pupils will no longer receive personal laptops. “The one laptop per child meant the child had many hours of access to computer time and also the child’s family, when they took it home, would also have the benefit of access to the computer.... Sat, 27 Aug 2016