A School That's Too High on Gizmos
Washington Post, February 10, 2008, Page B01
Summary: This article is about the downside of technology in the brand new, $98 million, T.C. Williams High School in Alexandria City. The article focuses on the fact that school boards and administrations are focusing too much on technology and not as much on students actually learning. The so-called "Gizmo High" is supposed to be the epitome of the latest technology in technology in education, but teachers and students are complaining that it is just too much. Math and science teachers are no longer allowed to use overhead projectors, and each class is required to do a certain amount of lessons using the new technology. One of the teachers complained that it is "technology for the sake of technology--not what works or helps kids learn, but what makes administrators look good, what the public will think is cutting edge." Even the students, who you would think would love the new technology, are complaining. One students said that too much time is being wasted in class by trying to upload programs that do not work, and having the option of playing games on the computer when the teacher's back is turned.
Response: This is a very well written article that brings into light an issue that is not often discussed. It shows that it does not matter how much technology is being used in classrooms. It is more important that teachers are able to get their students to learn the material. One of the great quotes from the article is from Peter Cevenini (head of the K-12 education of Cisco's Internet Business Solutions Group): "Teaching is a craft, and many great teachers instruct in totally different ways. Too many school systems are becoming device-driven--they're buying computer devices because they're there."
My View: I agree with this article whole-heartedly. I find that everyone is caught up in the race to become the most technologically up-to-date school, when they should instead be thinking about what is truly needed for students to succeed. T.C. William's High School cost $98 million...$98 million! How much of that money was spent on gadgets that are unnecessary? THey bought 77 school pads (used to underline things which are projected from the LCD to the screen) for $495 a piece. This money should be going to schools which cannot afford books for their children. It is absurd to think about how much money is being spent on schools like this when there are districts in our country with schools that are falling apart, have overcrowded classrooms, not enough teachers, not enough books, and poor after-school programs. it boggles my mind. Think about all of the schools that are being forced to cut back on faculty because there is not enough money, and then think about schools like T.C. William's that spent $98 million so that they could have the "best" technology.
Questions: What is it going to take to get our country to realize that there is far too much money being spent on technology in certain schools when there are inner-city schools in dire need of financial support?
