In 2002, Maine became the first state to implement a statewide laptop program to some grade levels. Then-governor Angus King saw the program as a way to put the internet at the fingertips of more children, who would be able to immerse themselves in information.
By that fall, the Maine Learning Technology Initiative had distributed 17,000 Apple laptops to seventh graders across 243 middle schools. By 2016, those numbers had multiplied to 66,000 laptops and tablets distributed to Maine students.
King’s initial efforts have been mirrored across the country. In 2024, the U.S. spent more than $30 billion putting laptops and tablets in schools. But more than a quarter-century and numerous evolving models of technology later, psychologists and learning experts see a different outcome than the one King intended. Rather than empowering the generation with access to more knowledge, the technology had the opposite effect.
I think if it as no difference than lifting weights.
Do hard things till they get easy, then do harder things.
Your average person should probably not walk into the gym and start by trying to lift the heaviest weight they can. Many people stay active and healthy by doing something much easier, like walking or jogging with minimal or no weight.
Something that we learn to do as children almost instinctively…
Something… Easy.