tkt8763-01: Donated Computers

["Shannon Martin" <smartin@colled.msstate.edu>]

I have read this article over and over, trying to come up with a firm sided answer.  I must say that I have not been overly successful at this.  I do agree with the fact that economically challenged districts sometimes do need help acquiring technologically related equipment, especially computers.  Technology is a necessity in today's world and it's beneficial to start children learning at a young age.  However, a three year old computer is very outdated, as computers go.  Personally, I have upgraded my computer at home 4 times in the past 3 years.  Granted, it is not entirely necessary, and in fact, I could get by on a lesser machine; but how is that keeping me at technology's edge?  The same goes for the potentially older donated machines.  Another aspect of these older machines, is that due to the very frame and construction, it is next to impossible to upgrade these computers, even if the districts have the funds to do so.  Now I'm back at my impass.  At least they'll get some experience on computers and at a minimum, they can still learn the basics of opening windows, typing, etc., and can even learn basic programming.  It's just a small step to upgrading that knowledge, versus not having any foundation to begin with.  One solution that I can think of is for the district(s) to have a partnership with the donating corporation.  For example, every year, the corporation could give more computers, that is a constant upgrade of hardware/software, even if they are a couple of years old.  Or the donating company could offer an upgrade every so often so that the district will not be so far behind.  

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