This increased funding for technology has placed increased demands on schools to become accountability for the learning that is taking place. The accountability is being measured through the established state curriculum standards, benchmarks, graduation standards, and standardized tests. Increased learning will take place only when educators develop a deeper understanding and vision of the role and effective application of computers in schools. Educational systems must make an early commitment to learning as a process and not as the end product. Too often the discussion of computer technology will focus on the hardware, software, infrastructure, applications, and data, rather than on what computers are being used for in the classroom.
Technology is a tool that needs to be used effectively.
Computer literacy skills will allow the student to use the computer, to identify the parts of a computer, the use of software applications, and database programs. Students need to know about computers and how to use them. Computer technology is part of our everyday lives as we use remote controls, digital clocks, microwaves, and communication devices. Students not only need to physically access computers, but more importantly they need be given the opportunity to intellectually access them to become actively involved in the process of acquiring the skills of learning how to learn. M ost students today are given the opportunity to use computers for skill drills, word processing, and tutorials.