[StBernard] EDITORIAL: Digital deal will help kids in classrooms

[Westley Annis]

EDITORIAL: Digital deal will help kids in classrooms

Periodically, the press office will publish editorials, articles and columns that feature Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco's work in various areas. During her administration, Gov. Blanco implemented Louisiana's Laptop Initiative, Turn On To Learning (TOTL), placing computers in sixth grade classrooms across the state. To learn more, click here.
<http://www.gov.state.la.us/index.cfm?md=newsroom&tmp=detail&articleID=3330> 
Town Talk: Our view: Digital deal will help kids in classrooms
Published Friday, November 30, 2007
Click here to read the article online <http://www.thetowntalk.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071130/OPINION/711300305/1014> .

The national "Turn On To Learning" program sponsored by computer giant Apple Inc. is a welcome push to help classroom teachers turn today's children into tomorrow's high-tech citizens. We're glad the program has found its way into some of Louisiana's classrooms. 

"Turn On" has put laptop computers into the hands of children in 54 of the state's public schools. In Central Louisiana, Bolton High School students received laptops at the start of the school year. Now Cottonport Elementary School and Mary Goff Elementary School sixth-graders have received them. 

Twenty years ago, computer literacy was optional. Not any more. Today it is fundamental to the working world and to an individual's ability to succeed. 

The sooner students get comfortable with computing, the better off they will be. 

Apple has a vested interest in this, of course. By paying for hardware and tech support, the company gets some good PR and easy access to lots of young people who are developing their likes and dislikes and who make and will make lots buying decisions. 

That's OK. We can accept the commercial component if the larger goal is realized: smarter students through high-tech teaching. 

It is no surprise that Gov. Kathleen Blanco has helped to get the "Turn On" program going in Louisiana. Blanco has been out in front of significant technological initiatives during her tenure, including the Louisiana Optical Network Initiative and the Louisiana Immersive Technologies Enterprise Center. 

These digital investments have positioned the state to develop in key and growing areas. 

Assuming her successor, Bobby Jindal, follows through with the required funding, they will give the state unique capabilities. 

For details about "Turn On to Learning," check online at http://ziprabbit.com.apple 

<http://ziprabbit.com.apple> . Or check Apple Inc.'s education seminars at http://edseminars.apple.com <http://edseminars.apple.com> .




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