Why don't we give the GDP of France to the schools for new technology? Would that be sufficient? Probably not.

No amount of money is ever sufficient for schools. They always want more and more and more. If schools got zillions more, they would still complain about insufficient funding.

Much of this high-tech money will be wasted on schools whose teachers have no idea how to use it to improve the academic performance of their students. Toys, toys and more toys. It's like buying high-definition, big screen TV sets for blind people.

Then the solution is to teach teachers how to use technology in their class then. If we expect students to come out being able to be use technology as is required in today's world, then we should have the equipment in place to use it and the teacher training in place.

$650M may sound like a lot, but with appox. 100,000 public schools in America, that's only $6,500/school. That's not the revolution we need.

Technology will improve learning opportunities if, and only if, teachers and administrators take their lead from the students and commercial enterprise dedicated to entertainment via technology.

In addition, communities, specifically local school boards and state boards of education, should pay attention to insure that their policies and prohibitions do not defeat the implementation of technology in the classroom and the collaboration it encourages. Careful design and educator training can replace the censorship of the really clumsy filters used today.

Curriculum police must realize that playing games and having fun are a huge part of learning.

I've worked in a dozen schools in two states as a gifted teacher and sub. Rural and suburban, private and public schools, kindergarten to 12th grade, what I see is that children need individual attention, meaningful work that relates to their lives, and a calmer day so there is time for reflection. Some major problems with technology in the schools that I've been in are that it is another abstract form of learning, it is yet another distraction for children whose attention is already in question, it further segments a fragmented day, and the equipment is obsolete before it is out of the box. Also, who says that technology is the way to a "world-class education"? The folks selling the stuff? Not that there isn't a place for technology. Children need to be technologically savvy, eventually, in order to function in the world, but shouldn't they be children first? Also, computers are a great way to store and retrieve information but, with limited funds, shouldn't we put our money into something more lasting? We all remember a teacher who got us excited about learning or provided us with time to work with friends on a project resulting in personal pride and discovery. Very few of us, I imagine, have fond memories of a machine.

I think that money for technology is extremely important. In today’s world students have to know how to use technology. Even elementary schools are using technology such as computers to help children learn. Technology is all around us in our everyday life, and students need to know how to effectively use it. In high schools students should learn how to use programs on the computer such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. So many companies use these programs every day, and I think it is important that students know how to use these types of programs to help them in their careers. Students must be prepared for work after high school and knowing how to use technology is a great asset to anyone trying to find a job, especially in any business field. Technology helps children learn and it gives students new ways to find information and gain knowledge. It’s a good idea for teachers to mix things up a bit and it’s helpful to use computers, overhead projectors, PowerPoint presentations, and many other pieces of technology. There is software for computers such as tutorials to help children learn about new subjects and drill and practice software to help children learn their multiplication facts. There is also software which allows children to do science experiments without needing all of the expensive equipment and there is never any mess. I think sometimes we don’t realize how much technology affects our everyday lives and how much it can help improve students learning. I do agree that many teachers don’t seem to be qualified to teach about technology, and I think it’s important that educators have the proper training. There are so many different ways that technology can improve student’s academic performance, but teachers need to feel as though they are supported from administration so they have confidence to help children learn using technology. I believe that money used for technology will be greatly beneficial to all schools.

When it comes to education, there is never enough money, but look where we were a few months ago. I think we are off to a great start and all we have to do is continue to ask for more allocation to assist us in developing technology in our classrooms as we move into the 21st century.

$650 million comes out to only about $11 per student (55 million students).

It shouldn't be school-centered anyway, it should be student-centered. Give each student a netbook for example.
If you limited to just those students whose families couldn't afford to buy one on their own (~$200),
the cost would be significantly lower. Assuming it was the same 29 million students on the school
lunch program, that would cost about $6 billion, which could be further reduced by donations and
other means, such as not spending millions per state on textbooks and using open electronic texts instead.

We spend $6 billion in 2-3 weeks in Iraq.

I agree that there is no sustitute for a supportive, inspiring, encouraging human connection, particularly that of a good teacher. But even the best teacher has limits in satisfying a child's curiousity and passion to learn. School and local libraries have limited resources even for those students who love to learn from print and can read at an advanced level. Technology can provide almost unlimited access to information, people, creative tools, simulations, audio/video tutorial instruction, and real time experience. How long does the spark of curiousity and enthusiasm for learning last if the first three adults a child asks (teacher, parent, librarian,...?) don't have a clue, or if they have a clue, don't have the time or resources to help the child follow it? Technology puts power and resources in the learner's hands.

Each school should receive more like $35,000 to $150,000 per school, depending on needs and/or student population etc. 100,000 x $70,000 = THAT WOULD BE THE REVOLUTION WE NEED...a tax payer's revolution! Let's be realistic and practical. Everything in America is anxiously awaiting to be "fixed" with the next generations money.