DSL, which is already in use in some places in Europe, Australia and Singapore, allows phone companies to connect subscribers to the Internet at speeds that may be dozens of times faster than speeds using conventional analog modems. For example, Sheraton hotels will begin installing DSL services that permit a personal computer to receive seven million bits of information per second, compared to 28,800 bits per second that are typically associated with current modem technology. Eventually they won t cost much more than CD-ROM drives, although for most of 1998 they will be in short supply. It highlights what we have learned about what does or does not work. The thesis of the article is that Computers can improve education, but not without serious planning from schools and teachers.
Computer labs are a lousy location for computers.
A single computer in the classroom has more value than an occasional visit to a computer lab. Kids don t need to be introduced to a computer, they need to USE a computer. Struggling students often get more out of computers than average or above-average performers. The reason is because computers, utilizing present software strategies, are effective at drilling basic skills like reading, writing, and math. Most teachers still don t know how to use computers in the classroom.