I agree completely. If the goal of an activity is written expression, and
everyone else in the class is writing on paper, the activity isn't complete
until the students' work exists on paper.
Perhaps this isn't so important for older children where electronic
publication is an appropriate form of publication (or who can wait until
the
end of the day to download the day's work all at once), but for primary
school children, it is important for them to see their written work in some
permanent format, very soon after they have produced it (for editing,
checking for errors, pride in their work, and feeling that they are doing
the same thing as the other kids).
The AlphaSmart has 8 work areas to hold written material in memory. It's
not
easy to lose work by mistake, but AlphaSmart storage is by it's nature
temporary.
I see it as very important to be able to easily download to more permanent
storage, and to print.
However, while in New Zealand it is not too hard to get funding for the
AlphaSmart and cables (for children who really need them), it is usually up
to the good will of the school how good the access to a computer or printer
for downloading will be.
When considering an AlphaSmart or QuickPad for use by a student, it is
essential to consider how practical it will be to get the written work out
of it and on to paper.
----------------------
Stephen Robinson
Speech-Language Therapist and Coordinator of Assistive Technology
Specialist Education Services, P.O. Box 701, Rotorua, New Zealand
> -----Original Message-----
> From: spk2wrt@phoenix.edc.org [SMTP:spk2wrt@phoenix.edc.org]
> Sent: Wednesday, September 06, 2000 6:51 AM
> To: RobinsonSM@SES.ORG.NZ
> Subject: Question related to Message in Listserv Digest
>
>
>
> I need advice about from members of this listserve.
>
> If a child needs to use an Alphasmart (small keyboard word processor) in
> order to complete assignments within each classroom in a grade 7 team
> structure, shouldn't there be a printer and hook-up cable in each
> classroom? My thinking is that if the purpose of the Alphasmart is to be
> the equivalent of a pencil or pen for a writing disabled child, then
> printing the assignment right in the classroom, and handing it in (a
> minimum requirement for all the other kids in the room), should be the
> practice and expectation.
>
> At present, it appears much more prevalent to expect the student to
either
> leave the class during class time and go to the special ed room, or the
> library, to print (which takes about 15 minutes roundtrip); or, to
> complete
>
> the printing during lunchtime or morning break; or to bring it home
> overnight, print it, and hand it in the next day. All of this in schools
> that do not have computers/printers in each classroom.
> Isn't it more equitable to consider a computer and printer in each room
as
> a necessary part of the technology needed for equal/equitable access and
> use?
>
> Hope this question makes sense to some of you, and that you can help me
> with my thinking.
> Thanks for your help.
>
> Sincerely,Carol Spencer
>
>
>
>
>
> ____________________________________________________________
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____________________________________________________________
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