When a Laptop for Every Student Isn't Enough

Chris Adamson goes on a bit of a rant over at his O'Reilley Developer Blog about the $70 million initiative in Cobb County Georgia to purchase laptops for students. As he says:

...while there are details about the gradual roll-out of the computers, parental deposits and liability, and the software to be included... I cannot find anything indicating what the point of this venture is. Is it to teach programming? (don't laugh - that's what computers were for in my early 80's high school... you actually got in trouble for using them for word processing) Is it to teach basic computer skills? Are there going to be e-texts available so the kids don't have to lug 40 pounds worth of textbooks around?

I think for $70 million, there at least ought to be a specific, attainable goal for this program. (Emphasis added.)

I came around to this line of thinking years ago, when I read of high schools that were closing down their band programs so they could afford the support costs on their computer labs. That's a damned outrage.