Rather than restrict lesson plans to textbooks and chalkboards, the state school board of Utah hopes to offer each student his or her own computer, tablet or other handheld device in the near future, the Salt Lake Tribune recently reported.
According to the news provider, the school board approved a technology standards list on January 12, which included the one-to-one ratio for students and devices. The initiative is estimated to cost approximately $183 million a year for maintenance and support.
Some board members also discussed whether the ratio could be met as more students bring their own devices into the classroom, the Tribune reported.
Other useful technology that can help children learn basic fundamentals in the classroom include a document camera, an interactive whiteboard and an HDMI projector.
The Tribune reported that the technology standards also include goals for staff, administrators and students.
"They're definitely not saying, 'This is what you should be doing now' or, 'This is what you should have now,'" said state associate superintendent Judy Park. "They were designed to be way out there in the future."
