Ultimately, this dual-track system is about power and control. Underlying many peoples' enthusiasm for education technology is their belief that we can achieve both. So far, while technology-rich learning environments can do this in a classroom here and a school there, the current state of the art does not provide definitive evidence that this can actually be done massively across all demographic groups, even if the political will and resources were available. That's the real question we need to confront. Even if technology and education can't do everything we want, they can move us toward our goals.
Education tops every political and business leaders' priority list.
Many leaders also strongly support increased technology use in curricula. We have created a system that, at best, simply reinforces our social hierarchy and, at worst, sets the stage for the dismantling of public education. Technology alone won't change this situation. The impact of a tool depends on what it is used for.