Teachers have a range of reasons to use and not to use mobile PCs. It’s interesting how similar these reasons sound to a 2003 posting by Lora titled 101 Reasons Not to Buy a Tablet PC. (The original is stored on a server currently offline.) If you’ve heard people talk or read about pros and cons of mobile PCs, you’ve likely heard these items on Lora’s list; they aren’t in any particular order.
1. It’s too expensive.
2. It’s too small.
3. It’s too big.
4. It’s too heavy.
5. It’s not durable enough.
6. I can’t read it outside.
7. It can’t get wet.
8. It’s too slow.
9. It runs too hot.
10. The processor isn’t the latest technology.
11. I don’t want to pay extra for two or three year old technology.
12. I’ve read they’re coming out with cheaper ones.
13. It’s all hype.
14. The battery doesn’t last long enough.
15. It doesn’t support a second battery.
15. It doesn’t support a second battery.
16. It doesn’t have instant on.
17. It doesn’t have a CD/DVD player built in.
18. It doesn’t have a serial port.
19. It doesn’t support the peripheral I need.
20. It doesn’t have enough USB (or other) ports.
21. The hard drive is too small.
22. I won’t be able to get parts to fix it if it breaks.
23. The print on the display is too small.
24. The resolution is too low.
25. The display doesn’t have enough colors.
26. The display isn’t sharp enough.
27. The screen feels too slippery.
28. The pen is too slim.
29. The pen is too thick.
30. The pen is too square (Toshiba).
31. I don’t have enough money.
32. I can only afford one computer.
33. I can buy more if I get a regular computer.
34. We don’t have enough money in our office budget.
35. My boss won’t authorize it.
36. My wife won’t let me buy one.
37. My kids are in college.
38. Tablet PCs are too new.
39. Tablets have been tried before. They will fail.
40. Microsoft will abandon support for the platform.
41. I’m a Luddite.
42. I don’t know how to use a computer.
43. I don’t need a computer.
44. I only use computers at work.
45. I just need a computer to do email. (It does too much of what I don’t need).
46. I’m waiting for the next generation.
47. I’ll wait till they get better.
48. I’ll wait 2- to 3-years to get one.
49. We have to wait till next fiscal year.
50. I already have a computer that does all that a Tablet PC does.
51. My computer does everything I need it to do.
52. I just bought a computer.
53. I have all the computers I need.
54. The IT department doesn’t provide support for the Tablet PC.
55. I’d have to spend all my time explaining what it is.
56. It’s not upgradable.
57. I write too messy.
58. I write too small.
59. It can’t recognize my handwriting.
60. The handwriting recognition doesn’t work.
61. I can’t read my own handwriting.
62. I type faster than I handwrite.
63. I already have a PDA.
64. I already have a notebook.
65. It’s a toy.
66. It’s just an expensive Etch-a-Sketch.
67. It’s from Microsoft.
68. It’s not made by Apple.
69. It’s Windows.
70. It doesn’t come with Linux.
71. We use Unix at work.
72. All my software is for Apple computers.
73. I’m waiting for Company X to come up with a competing design.
74. The application I use doesn’t support the Tablet PC.
75. The software I own is for Windows 95. I’d have to replace it.
76. WiFi is a bubble.
77. There isn’t any software for it.
78. There isn’t Tablet PC software that does what I want.
79. The new software for it is buggy.
80. I would look like a geek if I had one.
81. They’re ugly.
82. It’s not cool looking enough.
83. I don’t know anyone who has one.
84. None of my friends have one.
85. I don’t take notes.
86. I type everything.
87. I can’t draw.
88. Paper is more practical.
89. I like writing on paper.
90. I copy my notes to help me memorize things.
91. The pen is too lightweight.
92. The software I use requires the keyboard.
93. I need to print everything out (forms).
94. I’m afraid it will get stolen.
95. Speech recognition doesn’t work.
96. I can’t understand the text-to-speech voices.
97. The speakers aren’t very good.
98. I can’t overclock it.
99. I can’t play games with it.
100. WiFi is not secure.
101. If it were free, I’d get one.
Many of us have heard teachers express concerns about all 101 items. Their objections seem to infer either,
102. “Mobile PCs violate my way of teaching and my right as a professional to that way,” or
103. “Mobile PCs violate my view of (choose one or more: academic, authentic, community, fairist, scholarly, politically correct, or fill in the blank) (choose either: content or best practices for teaching) in my classroom at this time.”
Instead of these objections, the question an increasing number of educators ask is, Does a mobile PC or the software it runs make student learning more productive, make student life better, or make the day a bit more enjoyable for students?
Some teachers say the answer is, “Yes,” to all three parts of the question. For others it’s, “Wait and see what someone else accomplishes, then, if their results are persuasive, I’ll reconsider using a mobile in my classroom.”
Both answers are acceptable so far in talking about mobile PCs in schools. How long do you think that acceptance will continue? I’m guessing shorter than longer time, but can’t put a year on it yet. Maybe until 2010?
Chris Clark and Kevin Abbott of Notre Dame 2003-2004 Tablet PC Initiative republished the list (p. 11) in a faculty training brochure. Thanks, Chris and Kevin for the reminder.