2. HARDWARE FOR THE PUPILS

A number of schools are experimenting with using laptops for the pupils in class, with mixed effect. As more and more text books produce electronic versions, there is plenty of material for the pupils to use, in addition of course to on-line web-based resources. There will though be bandwidth issues with 20-30 laptops all trying to access the web from one room.

In time, it is generally anticipated that all pupils will have portable, fully web-enabled devices to use, by which time it is to be hoped that the curriculum will have been re-designed appropriately - to acknowledge not only the information readily available form the web, but also the development of subject-based software. Some early thoughts from the UK can be found on the Government's QCA page:
"A Curriculum for the Future".

The hand-held calculator market continues to evolve. TI and Casio each command a significant market share in the UK, and new products are emerging all the time for pupils-centred activities, including data logging.

CAS calculators are still thin on the ground in the UK, with as yet little demand from the curriculum for them. This is despite the arrival of the Casio Classpad and TI Voyage 200, and clear indication from trials overseas that the CAS approach can be both effective and beneficial.

Pocket PCs have good potential too, but have yet to make any impact in the UK.

A good source of details of handheld solutions in the UK is:
Oxford Educational Supplies