Journal 10: How to Pay for Your One-to-One Program (NETS-T 1-5)

Kiker, R. (2011, August). How to pay for your one-to-one program. Learning and Leading with Technology, 39(1), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-leading/digital-edition-august-2011.aspx 

Rich Kiker talks about school districts cutting costs because state and federal budgets are low. At the same time, it's increasingly important for students to become technologically proficient to get into competitive colleges and get the jobs they want. One of the ways to ensure students are prepared is by making sure each student has access to their own computer. Two ways Kiker advocates for funding a one-to-one laptop to student ratio are through technology purchase programs and donor programs. In technology purchase programs, not just students, but anyone in the district who is a taxpayer can purchase laptops, netbooks or tablets and computer programs such as MS Office at a reduced cost that the school has worked out with vendors. He says the first step is making sure your school is web ready by getting steady access to wifi and setting up appropriate firewalls.

Question 1: What is the difference between technology purchase and donor programs?

Technology purchase programs expect parents to pay for their student's computer. Donor programs partner with community businesses or philanthropists to cover the cost of computers for students who cannot afford their own. One of the ways students earn donations is through working with local companies to create websites, type spreadsheets and help with IT. While students cannot accept direct compensation, they can have the business donate to a technology fund.


Question 2: What are the advantages of getting rid of traditional computer labs?
The fees associated with computer maintenance for programs such as computer science and digital arts can be used elsewhere. Also, many schools have a finite amount of space and this allows them to hold other classes where the computer labs were. If students save assignments to their desktop, they can now take the computer home with them. This reduces electricity costs overall.