Chasing the Dragon's Tale

From MaineToday.com - Portland Press Herald: Laptop students still test the same I contend that making technology readily available (in this case, laptops for middle schoolers) is only one part of the equation for successful conquest of the digital divide...and perhaps having the residual effect of somehow improving student test scores. Maine Representative Glenn Cummings, a supporter of the Maine Learning Technology Initiative laptop venture admits, "teachers are still learning how to integrate the new technology". Translation: we dumped this program into the laps (no pun intended) of teachers who were not trained (or perhaps did not want to be trained) or prepared to integrate technology in the classroom...and we expected the program to succeed by improving student test scores. In the immortal words of Homer Simpson: "DOH!" (OK, I know that's harsh). I contend that bridging the technology gap is like building a three legged stool. The essential structure must include the following legs:

1. readily available technology (which the Maine project did successfully)
2. training/acceptance of educators (weak at best in the Maine project)
3. appropriate/engaging curriculum for the end users (from the article's description - major missing component)

This is an over simplification, but the image is pretty clear, a weak leg on a three legged stool is problematic... I rant.