Curriculum laptops

[laserblazer]

We are about to get a load of laptops for use in classrooms. Is it the norm to use the touchpad or provide a mouse?

[DevilsAdvocate]

Touchpads here. No reason to provide a mouse really, the kids are perfectly familiar with using them. Edited March 28, 2014 by ZeroHour

[jmak]

We have some mice available, but they never get used. I keep mentioning it as I think it would be useful for the pupils to know what one looks like and how you might use one...

 

But no, you don't need them.

[rad]

Mice will only end up getting tangled and broken, most kids can use a touchpad unless it is for the SEN department.

[woreilly]

As mentioned already, kids are perfectly adept at using Touchpads, possibly even more so than some geriatric teachers. Also, depending on the age and maturity of your pupils, you could find them stealing/deliberately damaging the mice, costing you more money to replace them.

[Norphy]

I'd say that it probably depends on the laptop you end up getting too. Some touchpads are an exercise in frustration, others are better than some mice.

 

It might not hurt keeping a small stock of cheap mice for those who want to use them?

[APMerry]

I've never had a student ask for a mouse, it's the staff you have to worry about. Kids are fine with a touchpad.

[VeryPC_Colin_M]

Stick with the touchpad @laserblazer, if you buy mice, they'll never get used and sit in a cupboard.