Our district hardware specifications still call for desktop computers for student use, but my middle school staff is interested in investing our resources in technology that is mobile and can be used in a variety of settings. What are national trends in this area?
The predictions published in the Quality Education Data, Inc. (QED) 10th annual Technology Purchasing Forecast last fall show that your teachers’ desire for mobile technology is aligned with national developments. According to the report, K-12 schools plan to spend at least $7 billion on new technology this year, with heavy emphasis on mobile computing. Other national marketing reports also support this trend. Falling costs for increasingly powerful equipment, along with a desire to increase students’ access to technology are driving this shift.
It’s time for your district to consider expanding its hardware specifications to offer teachers more choices in hardware selection.
Submitted by: Susan Brooks-Young
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