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The news today that every “NSW public high school teacher will get a wireless mini-laptop computer just like their senior students” [Teachers in laptop of luxury... I’m sorry, Lisa Carty, “luxury” – huh?] is pleasing, all-be-it essential. Certainly more news-worthy than the usual self-congratulations of the NSW Government announcing that they will perform essential maintenance to toilets. However… (there’s always a however with me).

It is certainly essential that teachers have access to the same technology that students will be using. Particularly as the “DET Learning Device”, as it’s known, will be a netbook-like machine, possibly even custom built. “Will be”, because the DET Learning Device is vapour-ware – the tender process is currently in progress. Such a device is likely to have differing performance to a regular desktop, it’s small screen is also likely to change the way things are presented.

To the “however”, as I wrote on a lengthy post on the MathsClass blog, “teachers still need a real computer”.

A mini-laptop should be in addition to a real computer. A mini-laptop is like giving a construction worker a Tonka truck to move dirt.

Unfortunately, I think the DET will be thinking “That’s it, technology for teachers solved… tick. Surely, teachers will have no problems writing 150 reports on a 8.9-12” screen with an 85% sized keyboard. No problems entering marks and grades on that same keyboard with no number pad.”

Secondly, very few classrooms have a digital projector. That’s going to make it difficult for teacher’s to demonstrate activities using these mini-laptops.

Oh, and primary school teachers – no computer for you.

Good on the DET for making a sensible decision, let’s hope that sensible decision making becomes a habit.

(Does the DET not have an internal communications group? Why must they communicate with teachers through the Sydney Morning Herald?)