Scottish Kids to Get Free PDAs

In Scotland, children in select schools will soon be receiving their very own, shiny new PDA, compliments of the Lothian councils, and possibly, the National Lottery. Up to 60,000 children over the age of 10 will get their hands on one. Some 6,000 teachers will also be receiving a unit, undoubtedly to help assist their students and incorporate the PDAs into their daily learning exercises.

This move comes after a trial program in Wolverhampton which showed that the children had improved results in science and mathematics after being allowed to use the PDAs full-time. Along with the PDAs, the children and teachers will also receive free wireless internet to use with the devices.

While the devices may help children access their coursework and assignments online at home, and a number of other benefits, I do wonder how long it will be before they have to monitor the kids more closely when they find out they've been downloading games or chatting with friends when they're supposed to be doing work. You know kids will do it.

The initiative is expected to cost approximately ｣25 million (or about $50 mil. USD). At this time, four Lothian councils are involved in the project, and are considering pooling their assets to form a charitable trust, which would thus make them eligible for Lottery funding.