Many high schools are looking into acquiring laptop computers for their students, as many of them will face computer-based tasks in their matriculation exams. However there are great differences in the types of devices schools are considering.
Some schools have already decided to provide each student with his or her own device, while others are encouraging their learners to actively make use of devices in their homes as part of their study regimes. Schools that plan to make the acquisition on behalf of their charges are also split on whether to purchase now-traditional laptops or more contemporary tablet computers.
Nakkila a frontrunner
The Nakkila high school in the Satakunta region of western Finland has provided students with personal laptop computers as part of their school gear for the past four years. Educators in Nakkila are now transitioning to tablet devices, partly due to their longer battery life.
“Some texts books will already be available as e-books from next year and no paper versions will exist. Because of this tablets or laptops have become compulsory,” explained school principal Pasi Rantala.
Schools in Merikarvia, Harjavalta and Kokemäki have already procured or are in the process of procuring laptops for their high school seniors.
Pori to limit computer acquisitions
Schools in Pori have chosen a different path. The city has improved its wireless network connections in its high schools, but does not intend to provide students with personal devices. Local authorities estimate that within the next couple of years roughly 60 – 70 percent of students will bring their own mobile computers to school. Schools will provide computers for those who don’t have their own devices.
”It’s impossible for us to guarantee a working computer for every one of our 1500 students and their teachers,” declared Esa Kohtamäki of the Pori Education Board.
Student equality on trial
The National Board of Education confirmed that the proposed change to the matriculation examinations has prompted many local authorities to start procurement programmes. The Board is currently combing through a record number of applications for assistance to purchase the much-needed technology for high school students.
The unsettled situation with respect to the technology acquisitions is expected to continue for some years, since there is no common policy on what kinds of devices should be purchased. The Board of Education also says it has no intention of laying down the law with respect to computer investments.
Education Counselor Jukka Tulivuori does not believe that the uneven state of municipal finances will allow for a common policy.
“Compromise solutions, where some (devices) will come from the school and some from the students themselves is the direction we’ll be moving in,” he speculated.
Tulivuori conceded however, that the situation is not ideal from the perspective of student equality. Many students may find themselves at an advantage or disadvantage depending on what kind of technology they have access to.
“The education providers think this is possible and have provided technology on behalf of the schools. On the other hand, if electronic material is cheaper, the savings from purchasing fewer text books can be channeled into computer purchases, and even computer prices are falling daily,” Tulivuori noted.
