I think these arguments are misplaced. The worst and most expensive mistakes can be blamed on the fact that current computer technology is terribly complicated and expensive to acquire, learn, and maintain. As we get closer to an era where individuals and institutions will be able to afford powerful but capable devices, and have access to relevant content in the context of innovative learning environments, it becomes possible to imagine a future where teachers, learners, administrators, parents, and the community at large can be engaged in the education process in much more meaningful and rewarding ways. The devices that will be used in the future are unlikely to resemble the computers that we use today. The limitations imposed by today's computing and connectivity paradigms are evident.
Computers are costly, expensive to acquire and maintain.
They force users to adapt to the machines, rather than letting the user concentrate on the task at hand. Portable computers have limited battery life, and because they are seen as replacing the desktop, little or no advantage beyond portability is afforded to the user. Innovative learning environments almost naturally call for innovative hardware and software. The software interfaces to everything from word processing programs to collaborative on-line environments need dramatic improvements. Tools need to adapt to the characteristics of their users, rather than make users fit themselves to inflexible tools.