We conducted a laptop trial in June 2005 in an attempt to bridge the digital divide. Our headteacher has always had the vision of every child having access to a computer at home and this seemed like the ideal solution if we could afford to fund it. We did have a number of questions that needed answers before we invested a significant amount of money into pursuing our ideals.

• Would the students abuse the laptops?
• Would carrying a laptop make them targeted victims of crime?
• Will insurance cover be affordable?
• Would they sell the laptops?

We selected forty students who did not have a computer at home and deliberately selected a cross section including:

• Male / Female
• Years 7 -10
• Able / less able
• A range of cultural backgrounds

In an attempt to reduce targeted crime we purchased backpacks specially designed with a padded laptop pouch. We briefed staff, listing the students who were taking part in the trial and encouraging them to allow students to use their laptops in lessons where appropriate. In principle a student should be able to use their laptop in class and then continue to work on the same document at home, an extension of their exercise books.

In the first month we had one laptop damaged, the student had dropped it and was full of remorse. We replaced the laptop and continued the trial. We found affordable insurance although there would be funding issues if we extended it to all 1000 students.

Initially things went well, the students valued the laptops and staff encouraged their use. There was evidence of students using them during lunchtimes and many of the other students wanted to know if they could have a laptop too. Staff reported an improvement in the quality of work produced by the trial group and prompt return of homework via email. When we broke up for the summer holidays it all looked very promising. The Autumn term began with renewed vigour and further evidence of the laptops being used but as the term progressed the situation changed. One by one the students stopped bringing their laptops into school, at first there were reasons but they slowly turned into excuses. When we sat the group down and discussed the situation a number of issues emerged.

• The laptops were heavy to carry.
• If teachers wanted them to use ICT they provided laptops in the classroom.
• They couldn't use it for the full day without plugging it in somewhere.
• There was nowhere to leave it securely at break or lunchtime.
• The laptop was most useful at home.

In addition, we had identified a number of other issues during the trial.

• Portable Appliance Testing (PAT)
• Technical Support
• Internet Connection
• Internet Safety
• Download / Upload

PAT

Obviously all school electrical equipment needs testing and in our school this usually takes place during the summer holidays. The thought of having to collect in over 1000 laptops, set them out ready for testing, then packing them away again and then having to re issue them stretches the bounds of practicality.

Technical Support

Whilst we didn't experience any technical difficulties during the trial period we did wonder how we could cope with technical faults, upgrades and routine maintenance. Additional technical support staff was not something that we had included in the initial cost exercise.

Internet Connection

Those students who had a broadband connection at home experienced the usual minor difficulties with switching between the school network and their home connection. It was highly desirable for students to have internet access at home but this was not something that we could provide. It wasn't the cost although that was an issue, some of our family homes have poor credit ratings and as such the Internet Service Providers refused to supply a service to those homes. It would be inadvisable for us to take out a 12 month contract on their behalf particularly if they are subject to potential relocation.

Internet Safety

Those with an internet connection pose still further problems, we have a responsibility to ensure that students are screened from inappropriate material but we cannot impose internet filtering and some parents may refuse.

Download / Upload

It was around this time that there was a widely reported case where an internet cafe had been prosecuted for allowing its customers to illegally download music files. The ruling stated that as the internet cafe owned the computers, they were responsible for the actions of the users. This led us to consider our responsibility for the use of the laptops, not only the illegal download of files but the potential upload of material of an inappropriate nature. We had found a piece of software called "Deep Freeze" which reportedly restored the laptop to a predefined setting once it was reconnected to our network but this didn't stop inappropriate use whilst they were not connected. The potential for prosecution was certainly cause for concern.

On reflection the laptop trial not only justified the termination of the project but also informed further development stages.

The key points:

• Computers were most useful in the family home.
• Internet access should be filtered.
• Upload / download should be restricted.
• Maintenance should be minimal.

If we had not experimented with laptops we would not now be installing thin client computers in student homes. The only outstanding issue that we have not addressed is that of PAT testing. We are planning to train a technician to do PAT testing and incorporating it with an annual PC health check to take place in the student home.

The introduction of the Computers for Pupils (CfP) grant has resulted in many local authorities to consider laptops for pupils without conducting trials or fully investigating the potential problems. I sincerely hope they take time to plan for all eventualities before implementation takes place.