Portable Computing Challenges Schooling

Since the nineteen-eighties emerging computer technologies have shown the potential to support the processes required to deliver high quality education to more students. Developments in ICT have led to the emergence of low-cost high-powered portable computers, and improvements in the capabilities and operation of computer networks that may unlock more of the potential for computers to support learning in schools. This chapter explains why I think that portable computing offers the opportunity to provide better education in schools and challenges current schooling practices. This is presented in terms of a progression of my experience associated with the development of the technologies. While these developments should be welcomed in schools it is not clear that they will have any more impact on schooling than previous developments in technology. My research has highlighted key issues in terms of the implementation of the technology in learning environments that need to be addressed and suggests that while portable computing addresses some of these issues, there are others concerning teacher beliefs, pedagogy, curriculum and school organisation that it will challenge