Using Technology in Schools - Benefits and Costs

Computers and computer networks have become a fixture in all but a few of America's schools. Progressing steadily since the mid-eighties, many schools have embraced computers and peripheral technologies as powerful tools to engage students and provide enormous intellectual resources for their students. Schools and many educators have embraced technology in the belief that technological literacy is a necessity for student success. However, educators must now face new challenging issues involving learning and ethics.

Where are the computers in schools?
Given the diversity of our nation, it is somewhat surprising that schools tend to be uniform in their organization and physical culture across the country. With this in mind one can generalize as to the physical locations of computers across the country in school settings:

With the onset of "E-rate" and other federally sponsored programs to offset the costs of Internet connections, a majority of the nation's schools is connected. The spectrum of networked computers varies from a few computers with dialup connections to many computers with high-speed connections. Intermediate solutions such as ISDN and satellite connections are also in use. As the number of computers or nodes increases in larger schools the cost of managing network traffic locally increases with the deployment of fiber optic media, switching, and routing devices. These more complex local area networks (LANs) can also support their own server(s) for storing student and staff files. These LANs also are beginning to deploy sophisticated network security systems or firewalls to protect the school's LAN from outside intrusion. The more sophisticated the network the greater the technical support costs. Despite the costs and complexities of network management, most schools have aggressively sought out and installed Internet connections.

How are computers used instructionally?
There are two broadly distinct uses of technology in schools. One use centers on the instruction about technology itself, while the other focuses on integrating technology into the larger curriculum. Many of the technology instruction activities tend to take place in lab or group settings, while technology-integrated learning activities take place in in both smaller classroom and larger lab settings.

Some of the technology instruction activities include:

Some technology-integrated activities include:

The above are only some common educational activities using technology. The specific uses of computers in any school setting are virtually inexhaustible.

Why do students need technology instruction?
Students need to prepare themselves for the workplace as well as a more technology-dependent world. Everyday activities such as paying bills and shopping require new online skills.

Students need to prepare for the workplace because almost all positions within an organization require technology skills. At a hospital, surgeons depend on computers for medical purposes, just as everyone depends on technology for lighting, heating, and cooling the building itself.

Students will receive general technology training and may use different skills once in the workforce, but the familiarity pays off. Someone who learns word processing on Apple Works has a much easier time learning another word processing program.

Students must learn to be active seekers of reliable, valid and relevant information. Students will continue to be bombarded with more information than they need at an accelerating pace as bandwidth increases and high-speed access improves.

What challenges does educational technology hold for educators?
As many in the Gold Rush found out, mining can be hard, dangerous work that does not always lead to success. The same can be said for the use of educational technology. While the nation loves nearly everything technological, the weaving of technology into the fabric of education is not without its problems. The expense of high-cost/high-tech tools is called into question in many school districts. The level of technical support to maintain sophisticated school networks is often lacking. The openness of the Internet and issues inherent to computing devices themselves leave a number of ethical questions to wrestle with on a daily basis.

Educators need to confront new challenges and demands on their methods of educating.
In a time of revolutionary change, what do educators need to do to improve student learning with technology?

Educators must make a commitment to becoming lifelong learners. The expectations of students, schools, and the community are pressuring teachers to meet these new challenges.

Educators must discuss and find the answers to complex ethical questions. Far from simplifying things, computer technology has made the issues more complex. With the backdrop of enormous change, education and educators are under siege and faced with new ethical dilemmas over issues of privacy, confidentiality, equality, access, social justice, appropriate use of technology, and their own professional responsibilities.