Technology, tied to the Internet, allows students of all ages to engage in knowledge building on a worldwide stage as never before possible. Many learning opportunities may never reach students in high-poverty or isolated schools except through the use of technology. In many settings, educators, family members, supportive human services providers, and other community members are considering how technology can assist in implementing schoolwide improvement plans. Across the nation, these improvement efforts set high standards for all students, draw on challenging content, and require engaging instructional strategies. Technology can be used to individualize instruction and provide a range of learning experiences from remediation to enrichment.
Technology also can provide easy access to vast resources.
Parental and community support are key to facilitating school improvements, including planning for and implementing technology. Schools, through technology resources and telecommunication, can make that involvement with parents more informed, immediate, and meaningful. It is important that technology planning be guided by a collaborative vision about the desired learning outcomes recognized by a school and its community. Technology is designed to improve both the quality of curriculum available to students and the instructional methods used to teach them. Technology is designed to permit teamwork, allowing students to engage in joint projects with their classmates and with students from other states and regions.