Students' computer hardware upgraded - Dell program sends mobile technology carts to classrooms

Technology-based education will soon come rolling down the hallways on mobile computer carts to students in Oklahoma City Public Schools.

A $3.5 million project will put two Dell Inc. portable computing labs in each of the districts 79 schools, officials said Friday.

Each portable lab will include 12 notebook computers, a mobile cart and a wireless access point that educators can take to the students.

"Research has shown that students learn better in the classroom," said Jeff Herbel, director of project management for the district's information technology department.

"Our major goal is to move from a stationary lab that students go to, to a lab that comes to the student."

The deal involves Dell, the Oklahoma City school district, the City of Oklahoma City and the Oklahoma City Metropolitan Area Public Schools Trust.

A total of 1,920 Dell Latitude D620 notebook computers will be integrated with mobile carts and wireless access points.

Decisions on specific curriculum and projects that will be used to teach students will be determined by each school site, Herbel said.

The school district and Dell are working together to develop a training staff to assist teachers on integration of the mobile labs into their daily routine, he said.

Oklahoma City Public Schools put computer labs into all its schools after passage of a 1993 bond issue, Herbel said.

Some schools have a physical computer lab, while others have computers distributed in individual classrooms, he said.

Oklahoma City Public Schools also has begun participating in the Dell TechKnow program, spokeswoman Kathy Oden-Hall said.

That's a 40-hour after-school program that provides underserved middle school students with the opportunity to earn a home computer and learn technology skills that promote self-esteem, academic success and will help prepare them for a technology-based future.

"Dell's Oklahoma City team is engaged in the community in a variety of ways and is anxious to support Oklahoma City Public Schools through the Dell TechKnow program by devoting their time and expertise to ensure the program's success," Oden-Hall said.

"Dell and the OKC team believe that, in order to be successful in the future, students need to develop 21st century skills, such as digital literacy and communication skills."

The combination of Dell's TechKnow program and the portable lab project provide access to technology and skills students need for success, she said.