California’s ranking suggests many of its schools could have trouble capitalizing on Gov. Schwarzenegger’s interest in promoting free, open-access digital textbooks. The trick, Hayes said, will be to figure out a way to boost students’ access to computing devices while taking advantage of its proximity to Silicon Valley in an affordable way.
But Hayes recognizes this is just one way of ranking states’ ed-tech efforts.
“It isn’t the end-all, be-all of how they’re using technology,” but it’s an interesting snapshot of technology access in U.S. schools, she said.
Many larger, rural states, such as Nebraska (6) and Montana (7), have well-established online learning programs that reach students in remote areas or connect students to courses and programs that might not be available where they live, Hayes said.
And though the chart’s outline is relatively firm, the database might change as more successful one-to-one technology programs in different states come to light.
Hayes said Project RED is still searching for feedback and data from public and private schools that have ubiquitous technology programs. Schools that are using laptops, cell phones, iPods, and other devices are encouraged to visit the Project RED web site and submit their information.
Links:
Project RED state-by-state chart (Excel)
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