The State of California has secured about 70,000 laptops, Chromebooks and tablets to help students learn at home during the coronavirus pandemic.
About one-fifth of California students lack resources like a computer or a stable Internet connection to participate in online education.
The effort builds on Gov. Newsom’s April 1 announcement that Google would provide 100,000 points of WiFi and broadband internet access throughout the state for at least three months, as well as several thousand Chromebook laptops to students to assist in distance learning efforts.
Big government and big tech coming together to help you. Call me a skeptic, but I don’t trust either of them.
Did you have a problem with the $350 Billion in Small Business Association loans that Trump doled out a week ago … in which 25% of the $350 Billion went to just 2% of the company’s that applied?
Mike. Yes I do have a problem with the PPP. I don’t see your point. My point is that big business loves big government. The hairs on my neck stand up when they get together and do something for ‘our own good’. My skepticism is not an indictment but a natural reflex to power. You should try it our Republic would be better off if you did.
Hmmmmmm, what does Google want in return…And Hmmmmmm, what is Newsome up to….
From what I’ve read, it appears that Gov. Newsome has been busy purchasing masks and other protective equipment for our health care and emergency workers across the state.
@mikewagner…
https://californiaglobe.com/section-2/why-did-gov-gavin-newsom-make-hasty-1-billion-deal-with-chinas-byd-north-america-for-masks/
Will our Governor make a Presidential bid in 2024?
If so, who will be the running mate?
Satan?
they must maintain the indoctrination. I wonder how many recipients will be dreamers/undocumented.
We were able to get a chromebook for our son to use at home. I’m thankful for the help from MDUSD.
Same with us. Thanks to the school district for supporting distance learning when school cant be in session.
What a waste of funds. On-line education sucks.
Good for Google. Now they can collect the web surfing habits of children with the assurance that they are, in fact, children.
Actually, online courses are a really convenient way to learn, if done correctly. Although skeptical, I took a couple of online courses through Coursera and I was really impressed. One of the courses I had attempted twice in college, but the subject matter just never seemed to interest me and twice I dropped it before the semester was over. I was able to complete it on Coursera, I think due to the fact that the instructor was one of the more outstanding instructors and experts in the field. There were lots of assignments and everything moved along very quickly. It met and exceeded the coursework I had taken in college. In fact, I thought in some ways it was far more difficult.
The only drawback I could find was that if a grade was to be awarded (I took it no credit) how would they know for sure the student had done the work and not just had someone do it for them? But, then I understand at Berkeley it’s common place for students to hire people to take their exams and write their papers, even attend classes for them to take notes. I’ve even heard of people taking complex government employment exams for someone else. So, apparently in higher education and employment, it is no big deal these days. In my day it was absolutely unheard of and not allowed.
The biggest drawback to my mind is discipline. Do the majority of young people have the personal discipline to make themselves go to “class” and do the work?
Will they take the long view or the short view of life?
@Janus That’s the question. Parents know their children, and I guess they would have to ride herd on those who may not have the desire to excel with the freedom online learning appears to convey.
One thing Coursera offered in these courses that seemed valuable was a community forum, a page where students in the class could discuss the work assigned and critique the work of others, or have their work critiqued. This was very helpful in exchanging ideas, motivating the students to complete the work, and keeping them interested and competitive. You were not forced to participate, but there was extra credit if you did.
The state should provide all Californians with a device and internet connectivity for free. Newsom talks about fixing economic inequality but hasn’t really done much.