Article Review
John Trott

The National Information Infrastructure: Keeping Rural Values and Purposes in Mind

By: Howley, Craig; Barker, Bruce

ERIC_NO: ED416042

The authors of this article believe that small rural schools needs for technology differ from those of larger more urban schools, and that acquiring cutting-edge technology is not a good justification for building larger schools or closing smaller ones. They believe, instead, that there should be a middle ground where the information infrastructure and computers are viewed as tools to use in serving locally defined purposes without sacrificing other, more durable and essential qualities of rural life and schooling.

As computers are becoming more and more commonplace throughout the country, the need to notice that each community has different expectations and needs from this technology increases. The authors feel that instead of building larger schools, we should, instead, look at smaller, more humanly scaled institutions. Technology and computers cannot replace the qualities of caring and patience needed in schools.

When developing and planning for technology in rural schools, care should be given to address the specific needs and concerns of the school community. Provisions should also be developed to create a digital network over which information and dialogues among rural communities can take place.

The article also mentions four rules of thumb for technology planning in rural schools. These include:

• Recycle: Use and reuse resources that the community already has.

• Plan: Keep new systems very flexible. Plan for adaptability and change in your school’s needs and in available technologies.

• Stay on track: Don’t get bogged down in the details when you are considering technology.

• Tap into the community: See what local businesses are using; look for used or donated equipment.

After reading this article I felt that really any size school, no matter what the setting, will benefit if they are careful when planning. Any time new technology is going to be introduced into a school, the importance and purpose for that technology needs to be determined and agreed upon by all that will be using it in that specific setting. Of course the needs and challenges of rural schools will differ from those of larger urban schools; no one plan or use of technology will meet the needs of everybody.