Just come back from an information evening at my daughters school. IAt the beginning of next term she will receive a laptop to use at school and home, very modern and upto date. Just wondering if this is also happening in UK. I think it good but am a little worried about the responsibility and another thing for them to lug around.

Jo

Sounds like Kev 07's schools policy is kicking in.....mmmmm, sound like an election is just around the corner.

Its been in the pipeline for a while but today we picked up the paperwork etc to sign and stuff. Hubby went cause he is computer literate unlike me LOL and it sound very good, some websites blocked even at home via the NSW education authority although I am sure some smart arses will find their way round it.

Just spoke to hubby again as I said I was concerned about having to carry that on top of all her books and guess what, no school books, pens etc either, its a total replacement. Now that sounds better. Text books also on computer. This is sounding better and better.

Jo

The laptops in schools program was an election promise by the ALP at the last election.
Had similar on the computer system at TAFE. You'll find your daughter will have to log in via their portal, which is administered, hence the blocks, although I was able to log into my email provider which was "blocked" by the adminsitrators. I guess your system will be more strickly controlled, though.

Do you rent them out from the school.

No $5 deposit.

Jo

Then the school is mental, $5 is nowhere near enough of a deposit for something that costs as much as a laptop.

Anyway school have to sign up to 1 computer per student or they miss out on big blocks of funding. For many subjects the laptops will replace books (until they run out of battery of course) but for some subjects she will undoubtedly have exercise books and pens still. I've never seen a computer program that you can easily write Maths or Chemistry equations on for instance, and come to think of it I wouldn't want a class full of laptops out when students were doing experimental work either.

We're looking into it at the moment and the technical implications to actually make these laptops useful are going to be huge.

I guess that the $5 is just an nominal amount as the laptops will have been given to the school by the Feds, as per the 2007 election promise. I'll assume that the laptops were written off as a loss as soon as they were issued to the school. Add to that, they wouldn't be the top of the range, most likely around the $500-$800 range.

Hi

I'm still in the UK and my son has just started year 9 and has to have a lap top for his school work.
That was his birthday present this year!!

I agree about the maths, hadnt occured to me that one. The computers are all going to have windows 7 whatever that is LOL and office 2007 full edition. They are all fitted with gps postioning to deter the normal stuff (getting stolen, cash converters etc) If there is any doubt then the kids will have to leave them at school and only use them there. Only 10 inch screens, lenovo, 200gb hard drive, so not too bad for a freebie to use.

Jo

The Office suite, student edition or better?

Not sure on that.

Managed to get deal from Microsoft for Office Ultimate (better than professional, and retails for nearly $1000) for $75 earlier this year while at TAFE. Catch was you have to be a student or teacher to get it. Not sure what year your daughter is in, but it might be handy to keep info on hand in case the need arises in the future. Doesn't have to go on the school machine, all you need is a valid email address and contact details of the school.

cool thanks

I'll put it on for everyone, as someone else may find it helpful.

It was shown to us by our tutor, a Brit actually, bless his soul.

http://www.microsoft.com/student/dis...g/default.aspx