Hello all our school librarians, and our favorite Latin friend, Et Al., ;-)
An inquiry from the "other" list. . .
While I continue to look myself, perhaps someone here has found such
"proof" before and would care to share it with the rest of us. . . 8-)
I have found much discussion, arguments, and flames over this topic in
archives and other places on the Internet to this point, but not much
scientific study . . . a little help . . .
I believe the key term is *learn easier* (probably includes quicker, in
greater volume, and in a more enduring manner - if I understand my
administrator-ese properly) - and in that case, probably never can be
proven! Thanks for any assistance. . .
* * *
In our school each classroom is connected with one or two Macs to our
network. WE have a Mac lab with 20 Macs in various models that we use for
instruction every day. All together we have about 80 Macs in the building.
We also have a 20 station PC lab purchased with grant money about 6 years
ago. The PC lab is used by the teachers for internet activities, and the
district uses it for teacher training. Our building funds are not used for
the PC lab.
The computer teacher in my building spent HOURS researching the Mac
computer hardware she needed for this school year. She spent her own time
finding and comparing prices of different models, and typed her own
purchase orders to spend the $8000 in her budget, both for new equipment
and supplies to maintain what she already has up and running.
She found out last week nothing was ordered because the board secretary
held all her P.O.'s. When questioned the secretary said the new
superintendent said NO MORE MACS.
Today he came to meet with our computer teacher and the principal. He is
very technically inclined (as opposed to our previous two superintendents)
but he challenged the computer teacher to "prove kids learn easier with Macs."
If she can't prove it, we're only purchasing PCs from now on.
The cost does not matter. The fact that the Macs hardly ever need
maintenance, and when they do the computer teacher fixes the problem
herself instead of tying up the technician does not matter. The fact that
the classrooms all have Macs and they can not all be replaced at one time
with PCs does not matter. The fact that I have Winnebago for Mac doesn't
matter.
He thinks PCs are better, and that's that.
Can you help me find proof that kids learn easier with Macs?
* * *
Aloha y'all ... Earl J.
USA JFK Special Warfare Center and Schools
Marquat Memorial Library
History and Archives
Fort Bragg, North Carolina
"Just an old Maui boy with a poor sense of direction...
working his way home - one state at a time -
currently working in the State of Confusion!"
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