They could and should be in important three-way partnerships among modern schools, ambitious communities, and aggressive employers competing in the most challenging times that most of the U.S. population has ever known. Education would be much better than it is and our cumulative future more secure. Such partnerships are not impossible, but they also are not easy.
Technology is a tool and nothing more.
It is not an end, just a means for students and teachers to help improve the teaching-learning process. Curriculum is another issue, and when the two are inextricably intertwined in a project initially, the conflict that often follows compromises major technological improvement efforts. Partnerships must be clear in terms of their purpose and goals. Simple is always best. Although universities and school districts must be sensitive to community and corporate interests and needs in the area of curriculum reform, the academics at whatever level must be allowed to lead the process of changing the curriculum.