I often look at the touted promises of the ‘next’ technology with a jaundiced eye. This is technology put to great, direct, effective use.

The Washington, DC area chapter of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society has provided  Georgetown University Hospital’s pediatric oncology program with six laptops and webcams that hospitalized students use to follow lessons and stay connected to their classrooms and lessons.

Becky Wilson, a leukemia patient, follows along with her classmates at Jamestown Elementary School.  She told the Washington Post (Webcams Allow Students to Stay Connected: Thanks to Donated Gear, Even Serious Illnesses Aren’t Keeping Some Children Out of the Classroom) that “she has been able to join her first-grade class almost every morning in solving math problems, listening to poetry and working on group projects.”

Lisa Wilson, Becky’s mom, also told the Washington Post: “She’s a very bright child…The webcam really just adds that extra dimension that she misses.”

Aziza Shad, Georgetown’s pediatric oncology director added:

“Having this technology available is really a turning point for children with cancer and other serious illnesses…They miss their teachers. They miss their friends. These laptops with webcams provide a perfect way for them to participate in a lesson and stay connected with their school.” (Washington Post)