This should translate directly to quality in the classroom and it'll give teachers a chance to share with their colleagues ideas that work through e-mail and chat rooms. It's absolutely fantastic. If this is done right, it will help turn teachers on to teaching. As long as training is part of the package I think it's a good idea. The computer can be a critical tool for instruction.
Training is part of the package, officials say.
Those who don't have basic training will get it and those already proficient will get advanced training. Teachers must demonstrate a minimum level of computer competency to be eligible for one of the state-furnished machines. While the computers will wind up in the hands of individual teachers, they'll actually belong to the local school districts. Local districts must report their numbers of eligible full-time classroom teachers who can participate in the program. Teachers can use the computers for professional or personal purposes, within some guidelines, Fitzpatrick said.