Comments on: A tisket, a tasket, a netbook in my basket http://dangerouslyirrelevant.org/2009/04/a-tisket-a-tasket-a-netbook-in-my-basket.html Technology, leadership, and the future of schools Thu, 09 Feb 2012 14:42:44 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Jeff Richardson http://dangerouslyirrelevant.org/2009/04/a-tisket-a-tasket-a-netbook-in-my-basket.html/comment-page-1#comment-10885 Jeff Richardson Tue, 30 Nov 1999 05:00:00 +0000 http://annahein.com/2009/04/a-tisket-a-tasket-a-netbook-in-my-basket.html#comment-10885 Thanks for sharing about your netbook experiences. As I write this, I am looking at no less than 10 Dell Mini 9's in different stages of imaging as we bought a bunch of those for student use. They are great if using for JUST net apps (which is why be purchased them...to use them as statons for a math program our students use), but the hd is just too small for much more than net apps and with lots of different kids logging on, they fill up fast. I agree that the netbook is a great solution for schools but you are right in that there needs to be some shopping/testing before a school buys a whole bunch of 'em. We bought Dell becasue that's who we get all our machines from but now we are looking at the Asus models for future purchases because the Dell Minis just don't compare...less computer for more $$ in my opinion. Thanks for the post, Scott. Jeff Richardson Thanks for sharing about your netbook experiences. As I write this, I am looking at no less than 10 Dell Mini 9′s in different stages of imaging as we bought a bunch of those for student use. They are great if using for JUST net apps (which is why be purchased them…to use them as statons for a math program our students use), but the hd is just too small for much more than net apps and with lots of different kids logging on, they fill up fast. I agree that the netbook is a great solution for schools but you are right in that there needs to be some shopping/testing before a school buys a whole bunch of ‘em. We bought Dell becasue that’s who we get all our machines from but now we are looking at the Asus models for future purchases because the Dell Minis just don’t compare…less computer for more $$ in my opinion. Thanks for the post, Scott.

Jeff Richardson

]]> By: Dave Bill http://dangerouslyirrelevant.org/2009/04/a-tisket-a-tasket-a-netbook-in-my-basket.html/comment-page-1#comment-10886 Dave Bill Tue, 30 Nov 1999 05:00:00 +0000 http://annahein.com/2009/04/a-tisket-a-tasket-a-netbook-in-my-basket.html#comment-10886 Scott, Thanks for this great post. I have been playing around with the same concept and having a school go into the cloud. As more of our day to day applications in schools can be accessible via the web, the netbook is a great alternative in a tough economy to extend the classroom and promote student driven work. We are a Mac school but the potential/affordability of the netbook is too big to overlook. Dave Scott,

Thanks for this great post. I have been playing around with the same concept and having a school go into the cloud. As more of our day to day applications in schools can be accessible via the web, the netbook is a great alternative in a tough economy to extend the classroom and promote student driven work. We are a Mac school but the potential/affordability of the netbook is too big to overlook.

Dave

]]> By: Russ http://dangerouslyirrelevant.org/2009/04/a-tisket-a-tasket-a-netbook-in-my-basket.html/comment-page-1#comment-10887 Russ Tue, 30 Nov 1999 05:00:00 +0000 http://annahein.com/2009/04/a-tisket-a-tasket-a-netbook-in-my-basket.html#comment-10887 How about this thing? <a href="http://alwaysinnovating.com/touchbook/" rel="nofollow">http://alwaysinnovating.com/touchbook/</a> How about this thing? http://alwaysinnovating.com/touchbook/

]]> By: Barbara Barreda http://dangerouslyirrelevant.org/2009/04/a-tisket-a-tasket-a-netbook-in-my-basket.html/comment-page-1#comment-10888 Barbara Barreda Tue, 30 Nov 1999 05:00:00 +0000 http://annahein.com/2009/04/a-tisket-a-tasket-a-netbook-in-my-basket.html#comment-10888 Thanks Scott for the conversation starter. A similar conversation has bee going on in the GCT forum also. Before I comment on the minis I need to comment on your road kit...What no Kindle???...put it on your list because on the road it is a must. At CUE in Palm Springs I had a conversation with a presenter about a book he recommended and 60 seconds later I was reading it LOL. Now for the minis. We are going 1;1 for 3 grades next year and we have looked at Asus and Acer. Acer is also promising a new 11 inch version in June. Here is my question As we test drive we are trying to figure out where "the wall" is for the minis. Besides heavy photo or video editing exactly what is it they can not do? What would the rational be for going with a traditional laptop? The only thing I have run into with the Acer is the screen resolution is just under the recommended specs for Google earth but so far that has not been a problem and I am thinking the 11 inch will solve that problem. Please somebody help me out here..I really am trying to figure out what the real limitation is and so far I have not hit on anything the students would not be able to do... but I do not want to overlook something! Thanks Scott for the conversation starter. A similar conversation has bee going on in the GCT forum also. Before I comment on the minis I need to comment on your road kit…What no Kindle???…put it on your list because on the road it is a must. At CUE in Palm Springs I had a conversation with a presenter about a book he recommended and 60 seconds later I was reading it LOL.

Now for the minis. We are going 1;1 for 3 grades next year and we have looked at Asus and Acer. Acer is also promising a new 11 inch version in June.

Here is my question As we test drive we are trying to figure out where “the wall” is for the minis. Besides heavy photo or video editing exactly what is it they can not do? What would the rational be for going with a traditional laptop?

The only thing I have run into with the Acer is the screen resolution is just under the recommended specs for Google earth but so far that has not been a problem and I am thinking the 11 inch will solve that problem.

Please somebody help me out here..I really am trying to figure out what the real limitation is and so far I have not hit on anything the students would not be able to do… but I do not want to overlook something!

]]> By: Bob Irving http://dangerouslyirrelevant.org/2009/04/a-tisket-a-tasket-a-netbook-in-my-basket.html/comment-page-1#comment-10889 Bob Irving Tue, 30 Nov 1999 05:00:00 +0000 http://annahein.com/2009/04/a-tisket-a-tasket-a-netbook-in-my-basket.html#comment-10889 I agree with the weight and the utility. What is missing is the software, and I think Apple has gotten it right here. I say this as a teacher who has always been in PC-laptop schools. I realize there are free web 2.0 alternatives to iMovie, Garageband, etc., but they aren't nearly as well designed or as seamless. I also realize there are big cost differences, but I think the value that the Apple software offers is worth it. I agree with the weight and the utility. What is missing is the software, and I think Apple has gotten it right here. I say this as a teacher who has always been in PC-laptop schools.

I realize there are free web 2.0 alternatives to iMovie, Garageband, etc., but they aren’t nearly as well designed or as seamless. I also realize there are big cost differences, but I think the value that the Apple software offers is worth it.

]]> By: Brandt Schneider http://dangerouslyirrelevant.org/2009/04/a-tisket-a-tasket-a-netbook-in-my-basket.html/comment-page-1#comment-10890 Brandt Schneider Tue, 30 Nov 1999 05:00:00 +0000 http://annahein.com/2009/04/a-tisket-a-tasket-a-netbook-in-my-basket.html#comment-10890 Be sure to test with students. Keyboard size might be a non-issue for tiny hands (maybe even easier for them??). Be sure to test with students. Keyboard size might be a non-issue for tiny hands (maybe even easier for them??).

]]> By: Scott McLeod http://dangerouslyirrelevant.org/2009/04/a-tisket-a-tasket-a-netbook-in-my-basket.html/comment-page-1#comment-10891 Scott McLeod Tue, 30 Nov 1999 05:00:00 +0000 http://annahein.com/2009/04/a-tisket-a-tasket-a-netbook-in-my-basket.html#comment-10891 @Barbara Barreda: Like your experience with Google Earth, we've had a little trouble at home with certain Web-based Flash programs that assume a certain screen resolution (e.g., Webkinz). Other than that, no significant issues other than those already noted. Battery life is important, too, of course. @Bob Irving: Those are great programs. The question is how often are they used by students? If often, then definitely go with a full-fledged laptop. If not, the model I describe above maybe could work. Go with what best meets your needs! @Barbara Barreda: Like your experience with Google Earth, we’ve had a little trouble at home with certain Web-based Flash programs that assume a certain screen resolution (e.g., Webkinz). Other than that, no significant issues other than those already noted. Battery life is important, too, of course.

@Bob Irving: Those are great programs. The question is how often are they used by students? If often, then definitely go with a full-fledged laptop. If not, the model I describe above maybe could work. Go with what best meets your needs!

]]> By: Lisa Thumann http://dangerouslyirrelevant.org/2009/04/a-tisket-a-tasket-a-netbook-in-my-basket.html/comment-page-1#comment-10892 Lisa Thumann Tue, 30 Nov 1999 05:00:00 +0000 http://annahein.com/2009/04/a-tisket-a-tasket-a-netbook-in-my-basket.html#comment-10892 Scott - I'm thinking about how backpacks are getting heavier for students, and scoliosis is becoming more of an issue as textbooks are getting thicker. This is great as laptops are getting lighter. My desktop replacement laptop is 12 pounds and I love it, but have not enjoyed bringing it on the road with me. I finally gave in and purchased an Asus Eee 900 for $174 (I couldn't resist). It weighs 2.2 pounds and feels like 2 ounces after what I've been carrying around. It allows me to do what I need to do on the road. Scott – I’m thinking about how backpacks are getting heavier for students, and scoliosis is becoming more of an issue as textbooks are getting thicker.

This is great as laptops are getting lighter. My desktop replacement laptop is 12 pounds and I love it, but have not enjoyed bringing it on the road with me.

I finally gave in and purchased an Asus Eee 900 for $174 (I couldn’t resist). It weighs 2.2 pounds and feels like 2 ounces after what I’ve been carrying around. It allows me to do what I need to do on the road.

]]> By: Jeff Johnson http://dangerouslyirrelevant.org/2009/04/a-tisket-a-tasket-a-netbook-in-my-basket.html/comment-page-1#comment-10893 Jeff Johnson Tue, 30 Nov 1999 05:00:00 +0000 http://annahein.com/2009/04/a-tisket-a-tasket-a-netbook-in-my-basket.html#comment-10893 I hope Apple has something like this in the works because I think this is the future of laptops in schools. I hope Apple has something like this in the works because I think this is the future of laptops in schools.

]]> By: John @AceOnlineSchools.com http://dangerouslyirrelevant.org/2009/04/a-tisket-a-tasket-a-netbook-in-my-basket.html/comment-page-1#comment-10894 John @AceOnlineSchools.com Tue, 30 Nov 1999 05:00:00 +0000 http://annahein.com/2009/04/a-tisket-a-tasket-a-netbook-in-my-basket.html#comment-10894 I enjoyed that article in Wired as well, and found it very interesting to hear the various experiences presented in the comments with Netbooks in schools. I wonder though if the smaller size is a good trade off for limited memory and computing power. Netbooks are well suited to travelers and conference goers, but students really don't have the same portability requirements. I enjoyed that article in Wired as well, and found it very interesting to hear the various experiences presented in the comments with Netbooks in schools. I wonder though if the smaller size is a good trade off for limited memory and computing power. Netbooks are well suited to travelers and conference goers, but students really don’t have the same portability requirements.

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