Response to K12 Online Conference 2010

I watched The Life Practice Model: A Real Life Example on K12 Online Conference.  This video shares the story of a freshmen named, Colby Ratzlaff, who chose to attend a charter school in Kansas rather than a public school beginning in the fifth grade.  The school is Turning Point Learning Center, and it was created for students who are considered to be gifted.  Each student at TPLC receives their own laptop; Colby explains that this allowed him to socialize on a different level, do more hands on work, and provided the most up to date resources available for learning.  The students are expected to work together to complete large projects, and are provided the most current and technologically capable programs as a result of having their own laptops.  Some of the projects include a life-size project on cells, and election project between numerous schools, a school furnishing project, Google Sketchup, and a class garden.  Each one of these projects was enhanced by the technology and one on one experiences provided at this charter school.
I found it interesting that the school employs Piaget's concepts in which students are expected to learn on their own.  The teachers may know that the students are doing something wrong, but according to Piaget, students learn best when they figure out new things on their own.  I think that this type of school would have been a good challenge for me through my adolescent years because I was the student Colby described at the beginning (done with work early, and often bored in the classroom).  I think schools like TPLC offer great opportunities for children like Colby who need a more vigorous curriculum.
My only questions would be how is the data for student progress at TPLC , because I recently watched The Lottery documentary and learned that many charter schools are not actually creating better results in regard to students' test scores or improvement in content areas.  I would be interested to know if TPLC's scores are equal or higher than surrounding public school districts, or if they are falling behind.

Should schools supply computers to all students?

When considering providing each student with a personal computer at school, the pro's and con's must both be considered in order to form an educated opinion.  Computers for each student would promote technological literacy preparing students who will be comfortable with different programs and media.  The other side of the argument would be the cost for school districts in order to provide computers for each student.  I grew up in a school where there were two computer labs as well as a mobile lab which had about 25 lap top computers that different teachers could use.  I feel that I had adequate exposure to technology through these labs.  I also like the process of pen and paper, but that's just my preference, so I would rather not have to use a notebook computer at school.  Many school districts are facing budget cuts and although notebook computers would benefit students, it doesn't seem like a realistic expense at this time. 

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