As another reluctant recommender of laptops for the usual reasons (reliability, poor chance of later upgrade, ergonomic considerations, susceptibility to damage/theft and to a lesser degree cost- the difference now is not as substantial as it was), I do recommend them when I feel they are justified.
Cases where I will recommend a laptop include.
Students who have excellent keyboard skills but very poor handwriting skills and can take much more effective and legible notes this way.
Students on courses with placement demands where written work is required to continue in some form during the placement.
As to space being a consideration, I can see circumstances where this may be an issue. We did recently recommend a laptop for a student living with a large family of younger siblings who needed to search around to find a quiet place to work! Short of home visits to check circumstances I can't see an obvious answer, but would be reluctant to recommend on this issue alone just on the request of a student and possibly because they feel that a laptop is 'more cool' - till it breaks, gets stolen or is left on the bus!
Geoff
Geoff Coates
Assistive Technology Adviser
University of Central Lancashire
Student Services
Marsh Building
Preston PR1 2HE
Tel: 01772 892601
Fax: 01772 892939
email: [log in to unmask]
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