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The laptops might help breach the economic barrier to school success. Silvernail found that on statewide writing exams, economically disadvantaged students using laptops did outperform advantaged students who didn’t use their computers.

Still, the laptop program has faced setbacks. Maine wanted to expand its laptop program to all high schools four years ago, but state budget cuts have prevented that.

Still

“What we need to look at is the broader impact on student improvement,” said Timothy Magner, the director of the Office of Education Technology, a branch of the U.S. Department of Education. “One of the key metrics is test scores. We’re keenly interested in that.”

Some schools’ programs around the country have faced widespread computer glitches, teachers not knowing how to teach with laptops — and to a much lesser degree, yet way more publicized — the issue of students using the Web to cyberslack, cheat and view porn.

spawning original ideas.

But whether its program can measure up to the federal government’s key yardstick — improvement in standardized test scores — is another question.

ABOUT US Welcome to Literary Disco. We're Tod, Julia, and Rider -- three good friends who also happen to be huge book nerds. We're writers, but we've always been readers first and foremost. Since the three of us have been talking and arguing about books for years, we decided to start recording some of our conversations. As we looked around at the collection of podcasts, NPR shows, and Oprah Book Club-spinoffs that are available in the world, it occurred to us that it was hard to find the kind of literary discussion we love. Which is one that a

is one that

But we also want to hear what writers are reading. So instead of doing simple interviews, we'll bring authors on to the podcast and have them select a book for all of us to read and discuss together

See responses instantaneously in real-time.

See responses in graph format or in spreadsheet.

students who benefit from hearing text rather than reading it can listen to assignments on their own time

ake snapshots and make short videos,

students who struggle with personal interaction — like answering a direct question

to express themselves through multimedia.

many aspects of learning

that are traditionally print oriented can be captured in a concrete, visual way.

writing both the visual and the audio elements of a script

more engaging

Text to Speech, students can have the word or a paragraph read aloud as they’re reading it onscreen.

students have quick access to definitions and synonyms to help with grammar, spelling, and pronunciation

print disabilities or cognitive challenges or are learning English improve their vocabulary and word-building skills.

It lets students who are home or hospital bound engage with the rest of the class.

FaceTime is also ideal for students who communicate using sign language.