Jamye Swinford

Undertake an Internet search of websites addressing issues of cost-effectiveness and cost- benefit analysis of educational technology and share your findings via email with the class.

http://www.rand.org/publications/MR/MR634/MR634.html
The Cost of School-Based Educational Technology Programs
Brent Keltner, Randy L. Ross

This study presents information on the variety of resources and planning that go into a school-based technology program. The goal was to provide a background to help educators and decision makers in the school organize their thinking concerning the costs relating to technology in education.

This report used case studies from eight schools that use technology extensively in their instruction. The study predicts estimates of what it might cost a school to set up a technology program.

This article was written in 1995. It's possible that the percentage differences in the cost for schools could still be valid with prices adjusted for today's economy.

http://www.cosn.org/tco/tco2class.pdf
Taking TCO to the Classroom
An Administrators Guide to Planning for the Total Cost of New Technology

This article reminds school districts to consider the cost of maintenance and repair and update to technology when planning their technology budgets.

http://www.thejournal.com/magazine/vault/A2962.cfm
The Co$t Factor When Is Interactive Distance Technology Justifiable?
Mark Hawkes, Ph.D., Marge Cambre, Ph.D.

This article lists 12 factors for helping to determining interactive telecommunication cost effectiveness The author contends that although every distance learning program will probably not produce data on all 12 factors, even a few of these indicators, if logically addressed, can answer the cost effectiveness questions of a local educational community.

http://www.chem.vt.edu/archive/chemconf97/paper04.html
The Costs of Incorporating Information Technology in Education
Brian M. Tissue, Department of Chemistry
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

This paper focuses on the costs and benefits of incorporating computer and network technology in science education. Although it has a specific focus, the facts presented can apply to any technology program. The author lists obvious costs, such as the price of hardware and software, and the continual costs of upgrades, maintenance, and technical support, but also brings to light other less obvious costs, such as instructor time spent on training in using information technology; changes in the use of classroom and library space and shifts in classroom time as students learn technology skills rather than curriculum concepts. The author feels the cost of using information technology in education will cause education costs to continue to rise. This article was written in 1997. It's possible that if the author revisited the issue he might find that the costs have decreased instead of increased.

http://www.ascd.org/readingroom/infobrief/9903.html
The Promise and the Pitfalls
By Erik W. Robelen

This article brings up questions that educators and policymakers have regarding obtaining new technology and using it effectively in the classroom. The article points out that there is a lack of research on whether technology creates an improved student. There is also the question of whether huge technology expenditures are made at the expense of other programs. The author points out that some feel that the call for technology is not coming from teachers but from public officials, corporate leaders, and other non-educators seeking to make schools mirror the high-tech workplace. It is sure that until more information is available debates about the merits of educational technology will continue. However, the fact is that technology in schools is here to stay. Technology prepares students for the workforce and makes them global citizens while enhancing the learning process.

Develop your own particular position on technology as an effective instructional tool, and share your perspectives via e-mail with other classmates and the instructor.

Technology can and should be used as an effective tool to create powerful learning and teaching environments. Many times technology is billed as a cure-all. Give a kid a computer and all of his educational problems will be solved. However, education is still the responsibility of the teacher and the student. If the technology is not used properly, most likely learning will not take place. School personnel must have skills and knowledge to guide a student in using technology. The student must be shown how to use the technology appropriately and to their best advantage. But first the teacher must be shown.

Today's student is at an advantage because he was born with a mouse in his hand. There is most likely not a time in today's student's school life that he has not had access to or used a computer. The teacher, on the other hand, has had to take the mouse by the tail and hold on for dear life. But because the student can use a computer, can he use a computer? That is, he's great at game playing, but can he use it as a useful tool for knowledge? Teachers need training and support in order to assist students in using technology as a learning tool.

Technology is transforming our world. Students who have never had opportunities are now having doors opened to them as never before. The teacher is the key to this door. I believe technology is a strong tool. The question I ask is not what computers can do with students, but what students can do with computers.