Ball State University, College of Education students pay price for laptop initiative...and not just any laptop computer, but an Apple iBook. I say good for them! A decision was made, a policy set forth, and as long as incoming students know the rules ahead of time, then go for it. And if your Apple iBook purchase is keeping you away from Ball State, I'll be happy to recommend a great university that doesn't have that requirement (insert shameless plug here *grin*).
Few subjects related to technology raise more passionate debate on college campuses more than the Mac vs PC debate. I have witnessed it. First cost, more often than not, trumps passion...yet there are compelling arguments to look at more than first costs (i.e. Total Cost of Ownership - TCO).
What I would really like to see in the Ball State discussion (and this may exist elsewhere) is a better case for insisting on the Mac. All through the article, creating an online or electronic portfolio for new teachers is a high priority...as it should be. But software programs like LiveText (and others) allow cross platform construction of teacher portfolios with much lower costs than new Mac hardware. I just want to see a better constructed argument. The portfolio development and multimedia shtick is a little weak, particularly in light of comments from one Indiana teacher:
"Apples are expensive, and from what I'm aware, almost 95 percent of computer labs in Indiana's high schools are PC," said Steven Fletcher, assistant director of music at New Castle Chrysler High School), whose own school runs on a PC platform. "So it's a shame for some of these students to leave college, hit the work force and be stuck with something that may or may not be compatible with what their students will be using."
I'm with Mr. Fletcher on this one. If your career path is headed toward an industry such as print publishing, photography, or graphic design then the argument for Mac dependancy is strong...this is the native platform for that workforce (generally). By all means, become an expert in all things Mac before you leave college. The opposite is equally true for much of the business world: learn all things PC (warts and all) and run with it! But whatever you do, don't leave college without a solid handle on one or the other...big mistake! How else will you be able to join the Mac vs PC debate?
Graphic by: Daniel Bozet - Patrick Thuillier.