How necessary is it to have a laptop for A levels?

[theredhen]

I realise that dc need computer access at home for homework etc but is it necessary to have a laptop to take into school or college?

[StabInTheDark]

They are certainly very handy but I wouldn't say necessary- DD1 had her own but rarely took it as there were plenty of computers at school and it saved her lugging it about. She carried her USB every day so she could easily work on the same things at home and at school.

DD2 is in Year 12 now and doesn't have her own laptop. She manages quite comfortably with the school computers and our shared one at home.

Depending on the access/numbers they have at school, I'd say it's not necessary for them to have their own!

[eatyourveg]

I don't think they need one at all - a usb as TakeFlight says is very useful but the library always has laptops for anyone wanting to do work at lunchtime and the 6th form common room should have them too. (they do at both dc's schools.) The school/college would also probably be set up so that all students should also be able to access the VLE from any home computer.

At my FE college we would certainly discourage students from bringing in a laptop - those with additional needs have college issued ones pre-loaded with specialist software which they pick up and drop back to the ALS department each day they are in). All students are issued with electronic notebooks in classes when they are needed for a lesson and the IT suites are booked out.

[theredchicken]

We bought both dsd laptops for A level but ds has his own PC, so I didn't know if he needed a laptop specifically for taking into school.

[lechers]

Depends on the courses your dd is doing, and her access to other computers.

I teach 6th form, and for my main subjects, I would say no computer access is really needed. I give the students the information they need (the rest they can get from books), and I positively ban discourage students typing essays for me, as the exam requires them to write three 1,000 word essays in 1hr45 mins. Therefore, they need to develop the skill of writing fast, and being able to spell without relying on the spellchecker.

However, if your DD is doing the extended project (which I appreciate is compulsory at some schools), then I would say that good access to computers would be pretty high up the priority list.

Personally, I would wait until your child starts sixth form and then assess whether you need one.

[mumeeee]

They don't need one to take to school or college. DD3 just used a memory stick to transfer stuff. she was doing a computer course at college so had access to computers. DD1 and 2 had laptops at home but they didn't take them to school and college.

[PowderMum]

My DD - A level student in a state secondary has never needed to take her laptop to school.