Laptop learning in Italy

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BBC Learning English

Words in the news

8th October 2008

Laptop learning in Italy

Words in the news © British Broadcasting Corporation 2008

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bbclearningenglish.com

Children at a school in Italy have today begun an experiment to replace all their books with

personal computers. The pupils involved will each be given a special laptop that contains

their entire curriculum. From Rome our correspondent Duncan Kennedy reports:

Until today, the Don Milani di Rivoli elementary school in central Turin was like any other.

Children turned up, got out their books and pens and began the process of learning. But now,

in what's being described as a unique experiment, 60 fifth-grade pupils and a number of thirdgraders,

will start using computers only.

The mini-laptops, which run Windows software, all have a full curriculum programmed into

them. The pupils will use the computers to do all their reading and writing. Security systems

within the laptops mean the children's access to the internet is strictly controlled. The

machines weigh less than a kilogram, can be dropped from a height of 1.5 metres and are

waterproof.

Instead of spending the equivalent of 700 dollars a year on books, the laptops, built by the

Italian company Olidata, cost less than 400 dollars. One of the teachers involved in the

scheme says that, for the first time, schools will be able to verify in a scientific way how a

computer alone can improve the learning process. The experiment, which has the backing of

parents, is due to last a year.

Duncan Kennedy, BBC News, Rome

Words in the news © British Broadcasting Corporation 2008

Page 2 of 2

bbclearningenglish.com

Vocabulary and definitions

elementary school a school that provides the first part of a child's education

(usually for children aged 5 - 11)

turned up here, came to school

grade a class or group of classes in a school where all the

children are of a similar age and/or ability

curriculum all the subjects taught at a school, college, university etc.

The word 'curriculum' can also be used to mean the same

as 'syllabus', i.e. the topics or books studied within a

subject

access to here, ability to surf/search/use

are waterproof cannot be damaged by water

the equivalent of the sum of money that amounts to/equals

involved in the scheme taking part in the experiment

to verify to prove that something is true or not

backing support, encouragement

More on this story: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7642985.stm

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