Address to BoG about COE laptop requirement
Yesterday I was supposed to address the University Administration about the College of Education’s laptop requirement program, but because of a technicality I wasn’t allowed to speak to them. Here’s what I prepared to say to them.
To the Wayne State University Board of Governors,
I’m Aaron Petcoff, I’m a student at the university, majoring in Secondary Education and a member of the Wayne State University Students for a Democratic Society. I’m here to express my concern to the Board over the recent College of Education laptop requirement program and propose some alternatives.
In November of 2006 the Dean of the College of Education sent a letter to the students stating the implementation of a policy requiring “all students enrolled in initial teacher preparation programs” to own a “college-specified” laptop computer. The required platform is the Apple MacBook, which would cost the students over $1,400.
Information on the laptop requirement program can be found on a website hosted by Apple. On the website it is stated that the program has been implemented in response to the growing use of computer technology in the field of education. As college students at Wayne State University, we’re required to take a course that familiarizes us with the use of computer technology, and many of us use computers for our daily school work, allowing us to become more familiar with computer use. Furthermore, many schools provide their teachers with training in computer technology. The supposed benefits this program would provide us are obscured by the large financial burden the student would have to bear, on top of a rapidly increasing tuition rate, and the increasing costs of textbooks and other educational expenses.
In the letter sent by the Dean, it is stated that the program was adopted after “extensive consultation” with College of Education students. In a reply to an e-mail that I sent to the Dean, I was informed that students were consulted about “how much they use computers for their current coursework, creation and use of e-portfolios, their experiences with computers as pre-student teachers and student teachers in school classrooms,” the letter went on to say that students served on the College’s Technology Committee who were consulted during the process regarding the proposal.
The student’s discontent regarding this policy is telling that students were not adequately consulted concerning the program. The students were asked about the ways they use their computers, and how often they use them, but not whether or not they’d like be required to purchase a $1,400 laptop. Considering the large financial burden, and the restrictions students have in their choice of laptop, the students should have been more fully involved in the decision making process.
Students on the website regarding the program have expressed their frustration and anger with the College’s decision, citing, amongst other things, their financial concerns, their right to choose the laptop they want to purchase, and doubt of the legitimacy of the College’s argument for the program. One student on the website’s blog even stated that they’d “be curious to know what kind of relationship Wayne State COE has with Apple computers, and what kind of benefits the COE is getting from Apple for this deal.”
Ultimately, it would seem sensible, considering the financial weight of the requirement on the students and the lack of adequate student involvement in the decision making process, to eliminate the requirement program altogether. However, there are alternatives to revoking the requirement, which would also serve the student’s interests. The minimum requirements for the laptop should be reduced, and students should be allowed to choose their laptop platform, which would allow students to act within their individual preferences and financial means. Furthermore, the university could provide grants and scholarships to the COE students specifically to assist the purchasing of their laptop.
I’d like to thank the Board for allowing me to address my concerns and recommendations to them regarding this matter. Thank you, all.
Original post by Aaron and reposted by Radical Blogs
