for text content are less dependent on video content than small children who cannot read. Netbooks are a growing trend in education for several reasons. The need to prepare children for 21st-century lifestyles, combined with hundreds of new educational tools that can be found online, and a growing emphasis on student centered learning are three of the biggest contributing factors to the rising use of netbook technology in schools. Dell was one of the first to mass-produce a ruggedized netbook for the education sector, by having a rubber outlay, touchscreen and network activity light to show the teacher the netbook is online. Netbooks offer several distinct advantages in educational settings. First, their compact size and weight make for an easy fit in student work areas. Similarly, their small size makes netbooks easier to transport than heavier, larger sized traditional laptops. In addition, prices ranging from $200–$600 mean the affordability of netbooks can be a relief to school budget makers. Despite the small size and price, netbooks are fully capable of accomplishing most school-related tasks, including word processing, presentations, access to the Internet, multimedia playback, and photo management. See also References External links "The rise of the Netbook" article at CNET "The State of the Netbook" article at Ars Technica "The Netbook Effect: How Cheap Little Laptops Hit the Big Time" article at Wired "Light and Cheap, Netbooks Are Poised to Reshape PC Industry" article at New York Times Appropriate technology Cloud clients Information appliances Japanese inventions Laptops