They are the minimal tools needed to provide students and teachers an even playing field where they can prepare to be a worthy team mate in a cooperative work place. A place where a rigorous curriculum with the highest and most noble standards drives learning and creative problem solving in real life situations. No longer is it considered good educational practice for students to be herded into a computer lab for mass drill and practice. No longer is it appropriate for educators to strictly define what a student should study. No longer is it logical for a teacher to be the knowledge giver.
Many homes already have computers, Internet access, and e-mail.
With these tools available at home, a child can access an abundance of information on any topic, participate in on-line tutoring sessions, talk directly to experts in any field, and exchange ideas with other students and adults from anywhere in the world. With these tools, the child is free to chase the knowledge she wants from home. For public schools to remain a viable option, schools must provide the key technology tools for adult and student learners so that schools can begin to grow technology experts. Teachers need to know more and need to do thing differently this implies intensive and innovative professional development that is an integral component of teachers schedules. Without this professional development component, it is likely that technology experts will come from student populations, not from professional staffs.