Re: tkt8763-01: Donated computers - good idea or bad? (fwd)

[Erica Leigh Case <elc2@ra.msstate.edu>]

After reading the article about the The New Millennium Classrooms Act, I
think this could be a really good thing for schools that do not have the
funds to purchase better computers.

I feel that donating computers to disadvantaged schools is a good idea, if
the computers meet the requirements of the New Millennium Classrooms Act
are followed very strictly. (The bill only applies to equipment less than
three years old, in other words: Pentium class computers. It also gives
decision-makers the power to choose whether or not the computers offered
will fit into their educational plans, and if the computer doesn't work
out it can be returned. The systems are also repaired as needed before
placing the computers in schools.) Some of the donated computers could be
in better shape that ones that are currently being used in a school
district.

I also think that this act should have a clause to make it impossible for
schools that DO have the money to purchase new computers to not get the
donated computers, to cut back on their costs. Schools or school districts
that have the money should be encouraged to purchase new up-to-date
equipment, because this will benefit the students more. 

=============================================================================  

                      Erica Leigh Case, Graduate Assistant 
                     Department of Technology and Education 
                          Mississippi State University
                          E-Mail:  elc2@ra.msstate.edu 
                   Personal URL: http://www2.msstate.edu/~elc2

=============================================================================


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