computers can save the classroom ... IF ...

In Why computers have not saved the classroom George Siemens comments on CSM's article which states that "Putting computers in classrooms has been almost entirely wasteful, and the rush to keep schools up-to-date with the latest technology has been largely pointless".

I agree with George's quote:

"Comment: I disagree with the statement of technology in education being pointless...but it's very interesting to watch the dramatically different discussions happening in schools. We talk in dollar amounts in regards to technology that most librarians/teachers have only dreamed of for their respective fields. Funds seem to be available for hardware/software...but not for teachers/books."

and would just like to add to this that the resources are misdirected and misused. For one, definitely there should be more funding for the appropriate training of teachers, including books and courses.

But most importantly the technology appropriated in schools should be appropriated for the very reason of enhancing students' learning and understanding capabilities. Unfortunately, technological updates and upgrades in schools are mostly ineffective because the environmental and contextual factors of the surrounding local situations are usually shelved under the rug. One of these factors is the necessity for not so traditional literacy, i.e. information, media, and computer literacy. What good are technologies if the students that are supposed to use them are not given the appropriate training about technologies’ benefits, shortcomings, limitation, impacts, etc?