Get Your Kid a Free Laptop: Move to Maine!

All seventh and eighth graders in Maine now get free laptops. Does this mean everybody agrees computers help kids learn? It depends who's talking. Critics point to the fact that the state is running a billion dollar deficit. Supporters are happy with statements such as that of Seymour Papert of Massachusetts Institute of Technology: "By giving all kids access to computers, Maine is creating conditions for the development of a radically different way of thinking about education."

The idea is catching on with other states across the country, and other pilot programs are underway...keep your eye on this one.

Insight Education

Stephen Young, through research at M.I.T., isolated subtle behavioral signals that have important influences on how people learn. He calls them microinequities and microadvantages. Right now, he's marketing seminars to businesses. In February, his book will be out. Both go by the name Microinequities: the Power of Small. His message is that there is often a gap between what we think we've communicated and what we've actually communicated. His work explores all the vagaries of nonverbal communication that can skew the message. See the web site for an interesting perspective.

And College Classes for Free

We seem to be harping on M.I.T. this issue: here's one good reason. Although taking classes there would run you about $40,000 a year, the Institute has actually created a web-based storehouse of syllabuses, readings, handouts, assignments, tests, and even some video lectures. It's called MIT Open Course Ware and it's all yours for free.