School laptop changes on the way

By Joseph Cyr
Staff Writer
HOULTONv, Maine — When Maine students go back to school this fall, many of those students might be powering on Hewlett Packard laptops, as opposed to their more familiar Macbooks.
On Friday, the Maine Department of Education announced Hewlett Packard as its preferred contractor in the Maine Learning Technology Initiative’s (MLTI) latest bid process.    The MLTI is an integral part of the Department’s strategy to achieve the new Common Core State Standards, as well as implement new proficiency-based learning systems.
“It’s about how we use technology to enhance student learning by giving students access to tools that will be used for creativity, to access content and to allow them to communicate and collaborate with peers around the world,” Education Commissioner Stephen Bowen said. “MLTI devices are as good as the teaching that goes with them. Laptops and the tremendous resources they allow students to access are a part of how we engage students in their learning and make that learning relevant.”
The MLTI program, which provides a laptop computer to every Maine student in grades 7 and 8, was the brainchild of former Maine Governor Angus King, who first proposed the idea in 2000. Maine implemented the program in 2002 and was one of the first initiatives in the country to equip students with laptops.
Since its startup, students have been using the Apple Macbooks, but starting with the next school year, the Hewlett Packard ProBook 4440 running Windows 8 software will be made available as the primary technology and learning solution as part of the Initiative.
“It is important that our students are using technology that they will see and use in the workplace,” said Governor Paul R. LePage in a press release. “This is the lowest-priced proposal, and the laptops use an operating system that is commonly used in the workplace in Maine. These laptops will provide students with the opportunity to enhance their learning and give them experience on the same technology and software they will see in their future careers.”
While the Hewlett Packard laptop proposal is the state’s primary solution, Gov. LePage said Friday that middle schools would be able to choose any of the five proposals awarded through a competitive bidding process and the state would cover the cost up to the amount of the HP proposal. At the high school level, where districts pay for the devices themselves with the support of state targeted technology funds, the state will leverage its buying power to get the lowest price possible on any of the solutions.
The five proposals come from three vendors: Hewlett Packard, which also was awarded for a tablet solution; Apple, which proposed both an iPad and a MacBook Air laptop option; and CTL, with a Windows laptop solution.
That option was welcomed news to at least one school district. RSU 29 (Houlton, Littleton, Monticello and Hammond) Superintendent Mike Hammer said Monday that his district had been leaning toward changing to Apple iPads for the 2013-14 school year, since there was a cost-savings over the traditional Macbook.
“We may still stick with the iPad concept,” Hammer said. “We feel the iPad is more versatile. We’re hoping Apple will come up with a different price option.”
The Apple iPad is a touch-screen device that does not come with a separate keyboard or mouse and also does not have a CD/DVD drive. Typing on the iPad involves using a virtual keyboard on the touch screen. Also as part of the initiative, teachers receive a complimentary laptop computer to use in the classroom.
“I was nervous at first about switching to iPads, but I think the kids can adjust really well to them,” Hammer said.
According to recent numbers provided to RSU 29, the cost options for the pieces of technology were: Macbook Air laptops $273; iPad, $217; and Hewlett Packard, $255. All three options are based on a four-year agreement.
RSU 29 has also been providing laptops for high school students, paying for those units out of the school budget.
Hammer said he had some concerns with switching to the Windows-based laptop instead of the more familiar Apple operating system.
“The machines are slower and heavier and the network is less than what we have now,” Hammer said. “We will take a look at it system wide and send a survey out to our staff to see what their feelings on it are.”
The district also already has a staff member trained to be a licensed Apple repair person in the event that any of the computers needs to be fixed.
SAD 70 Superintendent Bob McDaniel said the district’s technology committee will review all of the available options and make a recommendation to the school board in the near future. Like RSU 29, SAD 70 has, in the past, leased laptops for grades 9-12 at an expense to the district.
RSU 50 Superintendent Larry Malone said he was surprised by the Governor’s decision to shift away from the Mac computers.
“The decision to go with the HP proposal was a surprise to some degree, as it appears that other proposals rated higher in meeting the requirements of the RFP (Request for Proposals) and aligned more closely with the goals of MLTI,” Malone said. “I am hopeful that the decision was not based on cost alone, as there are many other considerations that need to be taken into account; such as, sustainable service, alignment of professional development, instructional and creative effectiveness, alignment with current infrastructure.”
The change raised at least a few questions for Malone.
“Will costs proposed be affected by the ability of choice and the company not meeting a unit quota, and how will student transfers be addressed when different devices may be utilized in schools?” he asked. “We do appreciate the access provided to our students through this initiative and look forward to further information coming from the state addressing the concerns that have come from this recent decision.”
RSU 50 also provides laptops to all students in grades 9-12 through the MLTI lease option.
“At the end of the lease agreement, we hope to purchase the leased machines to provide more access for our students in the elementary grades,” Malone said. “Currently, that grade span has limited access, based on available resources and the mobility of the units.”