Three Reasons Netbooks

Are Right For Your School

A Shot Across the Bow in the War

Between Tablets and Netbooks

By Brian Rock. Blog. Google Plus. Twitter.

“Because infrastructure for learning should support learning in and out of the classroom, students and educators need Internet

access devices for around-the-clock use from any location.”

National Educational Technology Plan

But Which One Is Right For Your School?A Tablet or a Netbook…?

Clearly We Need Devices

Today, We’ll Argue for Netbooks.

Why?

Let’s consider these reasons three.

Laptops Are For Typing

Mavis Beacon Doesn’t Teach Touch Screens.

But she does teach how to type on a keyboard…

A proficient person can easily type 50 to 75 wpm.

An expert can type 100 to 150 wpm.

I type 100 to 125 wpm on a keyboard.Can you do that with an iPhone…?

I know I can’t.

On screen keyboards take up screen real estate.

I can fit a lot on that screen.

Can’t fit so much here.

A post it note or an extended paper?

What Are You Typing…?

Laptops Are Simply Better at Typing.

They’re more convenient.

You’ve got more screen real estate.

They’re more suitable for typing extended papers.

Reason #2: Flash

No FlashOn Mobile.

First, there was no Flash on iOS.

Now there’s no Flash on Android.

There’s no Flash anywhere… except for your computer.

Why do you need Flash…?A lot of old educational games use Flash.

Some of your textbook supplemental resources might use Flash.

Sure, there are alternatives.

But what are you going to do while you wait for developers to

update…?

Reason #3: Poor Multitasking

Mobile Apps Can Do a Lot of

Things.But you tend to do them one at

a time.

With a Laptop, Multitasking is Simple.

One browser tab for Google Music.

One for a Presentation I’m building.

One for reading the web.

One for searching for images.

You can do that with a computer. Even a super old one.

Can’t really do that on a tablet. Pick a screen and look at it.

Want multiple windows open…?

Researching + Writing At the Same

Time

It’s easier on a laptop than on a tablet.

Switching between tabs and/or apps on a tablet is a pain in the neck.

Plain and simple.

Seriously.

Netbooks are clearly better at certain things.They allow you to type quicker and more efficiently. This is good for longer written pieces.

They support Flash and older interactive software, like all the old websites you use and the stuff from your textbook publisher.

Netbooks are much better at multi-tasking and having multiple windows open. Better for when you’re doing research and writing at the same time.

Image Credit: “Serious Cheetah.”

Every School Is

Different.

You’re mileage may very.

My needs aren’t your needs.

So Ask Yourself…

Do you want kids to type extended responses, like essays and research papers? Or are they just typing short snippets?

Do you need to use Flash to support legacy software, or are all your needs met by mobile-compatible websites?

Do your kids need to multitask and do several tasks at once, or are they using their devices to focus on one thing, like reading?

Image Credit: “Question Mark.”

So… Tablets or Netbooks?Keep Up to Date.

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Learn more.Read about my research on my blog.

Sound off! Tell me what you think.

Curious for more? Connect.By Brian Rock

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I’m a graduate student, and I am researching the merits of both tablets and netbooks in classrooms. But I need your help.

Research requires devices. That means money.

Spread the word about my campaign on IndieGogo! Find details on that and my research on here on my blog, Tech and Teaching.