$41 Million for Laptops in Maine Schools: Is It Worth It?

Six years ago Maine’s Governor Angus Kind announced his intention to provide laptop computers to all seventh graders and teachers. Other states have since copied this initiative. Recently Maine’s Department of Education announced that it has signed a $41 million dollar agreement with Apple Computer to continue this program.

Apple’s bid was about $1.5 million dollars less than the lowest competitor. It includes iBooks for seventh and eighth grade students and their teachers. The contract also includes training and support for four years, beginning with the 2007 school year.

If you’ve read any of my previous articles about using computers in education, you know I applaud this move in concept. Learning through technology has many advantages and great potential. Students report greater interest in school and greater motivation to learn. Some creative teachers can really enhance education with computers.

Yet is it really worth $41 million? Is learning that much better with computers, or should that money be used in other ways, such as more teachers and up-to-date textbooks?

Some would argue that schools can’t add teachers at those prices. Though $41 million is a lot of money, the Portland Press Herald and others report that this is a cost of less than $300 per computer user.

Others would say that it’s more cost-effective to teach students how to use the Internet to find information than to continually replace textbooks. It’s a tool they will be using in the real world anyway, so it’s important to teach them to tell good information from bad information.

Critics state that there is no evidence that laptops improve learning. They contend that the money should be used for initiatives with a proven track record. They rightfully point to the importance of teacher ability in learning, whether using computers or other methods.

Advocates argue that even if achievement scores aren’t affected, there is more to the story. Many teachers report that kids are more motivated and engaged with computers. Yet this is clearly a case where teacher ability plays an important role. Some teachers are excellent at using all that a computer has to offer, while others barely use them at all.

Apple.com reports a number of studies that support the use of computers in school. These studies dispute the argument that there is no evidence that computers enhance education. The research Apple quotes indicates that schools actively using computers can expect decreased discipline problems, increased attendance, and even improved standardized test scores.

Of course, it’s obvious why Apple would quote favorable studies. There are others who agree, though. Take a look at this paper by Dr. Mike Muir, an assistant professor of Educational Technology and Middle Level Education at the University of Maine in Farmington. He convincingly makes the case that students become proficient in both technology and academics when allowed to use computers.

Dr. Muir makes one other point, though, that bears repeating. He looked at technology initiatives that focused on hardware and software and found no impact on achievement and engagement. He compared this to initiatives that emphasized teaching and learning. These types of initiatives were the successful ones. This would explain why some studies show no effect on using computer technology while others show clear advantages.

So is it worth the $41 million price tag in Maine? Maine’s initiative would fall into the second category. If you read Dr. Muir’s report, you’ll find several ways that Maine has focused on the learning process instead of the software.

Do you think the money spent on technology is worth it? If your school district was going to spend your tax money this way, would you support it? For those readers who belong to school districts with similar initiatives, how has it worked out? If you don’t support this, would you use the money for other educational programs or return it to the taxpayer?

Maybe you have other ideas about improving education. Let me know what you’re thinking.