The Case of the Incredible Shrinking Computer continues!
From mainframe to mini to desktop to laptop to palmtop to "no top" (invisible embedded computers in our appliances), we've been witnessing an amazing trick of technological innovation—more and more powerful computing devices getting smaller and smaller and costing less and less. As the size and cost of computing shrink, educators are asking a number of questions:
"Can we get the cost low enough to put computing power into the hands of every learner and help close the digital divide?"
"What will we lose in these handhelds and tablets—readability, color, screen size, useful applications, accessibility for disabled learners?"
"Will we get the ruggedness and reliability we need?"
"Can the same devices be personal productivity tools for teachers and administrators, so everyone in a school uses the same devices? Can they work on our network and have Internet access?"
And most importantly,
"Where's the content, curriculum, and assessments all keyed to state standards that will run on these devices?"
"Where are the daily productivity tools for teachers and administrators that will help us make real time decisions in improving each child's learning achievement?"
It's clear we're in the early stages of inventing the HOLD (Handheld Optimum Learning Device) for education. Innovations are coming from many corners of the technology world:
- Re-purposing of business personal productivity devices.
- The ultra-portability evolution of laptops.
- The development and adaptation of the tablet computing form-factor, operating systems and tools.
- The expansion of the graphing calculator, and probeware devices into fuller handheld learning platforms for all subjects.
- The adaptation of handheld gaming devices for learning.
- The invention of portable universal accessibility devices for the widest possible range of learners.
And while the ultimate HOLD has not been invented yet, we're seeing creative and effective uses of handheld devices in all content areas and are witnessing impressive results in dramatically increasing the productivity of teachers and administrators.
If the history of technological innovation is our guide, there won't be one ultimate HOLD. There will be many devices in many form factors and flavors for a variety of learning and productivity uses.
With closer collaborations among product and content developers, educators, students, parents, researchers, administrators, legislators, and policymakers, the real promise of No Child Left Behind in our new knowledge society can be achieved. Affordable, portable, and universally accessible learning devices are a small but significant part of this mission.
Looking ahead, the old saying, "We hold the future in our hands," will have a new meaning.
