When discussing education policy, it is important to consider that the world is a rapidly changing place. Thanks to Al Gore’s invention of the internet, the world of knowledge is at our fingertips, and because of it the classroom dynamic is changing. I will go on the record and say I’m not a fan of webquests or any other kind of computer driven learning. The most engaging classes I’ve taken at Western have emphasized the lecture over the snazzy Powerpoint. I’m not saying we should all do the “Fahrenheit 451” thing and burn all of our books and replace them with Lenovo Thinkpads, but there is a marriage that can be made between the old and the new.

The reality is that, for better or for worse, the world is going digital and the education system should adapt accordingly. We will not simply eliminate the human component of teaching now that electronic methods are available. Neither will Chinese restaurants throw away their chopsticks in favor of forks just because they can; the new will not replace the old but supplement it. An emphasis on technology will not threaten the intimacy of education. Bringing devices into the classroom is necessary in order to create a generation of digitally literate citizens. And we all want digitally literate citizens so they can keep coming out with fun new iPhone apps.

The issue is that there is a number of students who do not have their own devices and are forced to make accommodations to complete technology-based assignments. I am in favor of 1:1 because of this. I firmly believe that it’s unfair of the school to expect students to complete technological assignments without first providing them with the necessary technology. Also, I would literally sell my soul to get rid of those laptop carts (which 1:1 will eventually do).

In conclusion, we need the 1:1 Initiative. It’s not going to turn our teachers into robots, and the kids who already  have their own laptops are going to have to take one for the team and accept the school-issued laptop without making too big of a stink. I know that it will be hard, and that you’ll probably lie awake at night cursing that Lenovo that’s been sitting on your desk collecting dust, but I promise that it will all get better eventually.