Improving Our Nation's Schools through Computers & Connectivity.(Statistical Data Included)

In the name of improving the nation's schools and closing the digital divide, the federal government has embarked on a massive program to connect every school to the Internet. School districts too are spending vast sums on computers, software, and technical support. Yet many of America's teachers are unprepared to use computers in their classrooms. According to a 1999 study, about 1.3 million of the nation's 3 million elementary and secondary teachers feel only "somewhat" or inadequately prepared to integrate educational technology into their teaching.

Using Computers in Schools

The billions of public dollars devoted to wiring the nation's schools will, in theory, stimulate learning in three ways. At bottom, computers can serve as electronic workbooks, delivering instruction at a pace individualized for each student. On a more sophisticated level, they can simulate real-world experiences. They can also be productivity tools, enabling students to gather and learn from information more efficiently.

So far, the computer revolution has borne most fruit in the classroom as a glorified workbook. Electronic workbooks do indeed improve students' basic skills, enabling them to participate in higher levels of education. And the workbooks require no teacher expertise. Even teachers and administrators who …