The digital backpack

There is an interesting article in this month’s Threshold (Cable in the Classroom) publication called The Digital Backpack.

In an exploded view, the electronic components in a student’s backpack are shown, revealing ten separate devices. But what is cool is that not just their common uses are described, but their potential educational uses as well.

For example, for an iPod/MP3 player the author notes:

Common Use:
Dance to your favorite song anywhere

but also

Learning Use:
- Record and play back teacher instructions
- Download a foreign-language radio broadcast or NASA science lesson
- Listen while reading to improve comprehension
- Help focus in a noisy room
- Compare recordings of a musical selection
- Store portfolio

I have two reactions. First, I love the fact that my personal vision of a true e-book seems to be getting closer and closer to reality. Most of the functions are in place, just not all in a single, affordable device.

But my other reaction is more worrisome. How many districts will put policies in place immediately to ban the in-school use of so many of these devices without discussing their educational values? Will we old people in schools be viewed even more readily by students as out of touch with reality? Will we have reasonable policies in place to deal with the use of these tools?

What will we as educators focus on? The problems or the potentials of the digital backpack? Knowing the reactionary view of most educators, I’m not betting on the potentials - at least in schools without good leadership.

Your thoughts?