I was finally able to check out a laptop cart today, the first day of the eighth week of school. We have no computer labs in my school, but we do have three laptop carts. It's a lot of work setting them up since I have to move all the tables around so I can plug in power strips and hook up AC adapters. The batteries won't last all day. It's worth it, though, because there are many good virtual labs online that I can't do otherwise. Inspiration is so much better for making concept maps than pencil and paper.
In the past, students come into the classroom, see the computers, and ask with excitement, "Are we getting on computers today?"
I didn't hear that this year, however. The first question out of their mouths was "Are we taking a test?".
Everything that's wrong with education "reform" in a nutshell, out of the mouths of babes. Computers are not for learning or creating anymore, in their minds. They're just for taking another test.