In the book the "Diffusion of Innovations," the author describes a diffusion rate on a scale from early adoption to laggard adoption, or being the last to adopt the technology.  The idea that school systems will not allow students to use portable devices as an educational tool demonstrates the "fear" that decision makers have, and where their system is along the diffusion scale.  Instead of addressing the issue by making each person accountable for how the technology will be used in an educational setting, we unplug the tools this generation of kids have grown up with.  By having an agreement in writing with the student, parents, and administrators describing how the technology will be used in the educational setting, this fear is taken care of.  When the student violates the policy, the privilege to use the technology is gone with that decision.

Online education is becoming mainstream in the collegiate arena of ideas.  K-12 education is still partly entrenched in the fear that Web 1.0 is the only way to go, or you can use the internet as a research tool. You will not be able to collaborate online, or work with people who are halfway around the world.  One of my students plagiarized an entire report.  She does not stand a chance when if she goes to college and must turn her paper in through "Turnitin.com."   We hear educators complain at every level that students are unprepared for their classes.  Online education allows users to think, respond appropriately, and write their ideas with clarity.  As a parting gift, the Essa school in Britian on the Macs in Education site is a superb movie on how interactive technological tools enhance education.  The link is:

http://www.apple.com/education/profiles/essa/#video-essa

Cheers!