Technology in K-12 helping?

I’m struggling. I have a degree in Instructional Technology and have spent the better part of 9 years lobbying to whoever will listen about integrating technology into K-12 classrooms. But, I’m having a hard time determining if all my work really has made a positive impact?

Sallie visited Woodberry Forest this past week to see how they get it done. Turns out, they don’t really. I’m going to get more info on them as soon as I can, but the short of it is this: They don’t use technology in the classroom nearly to the extent my school division does. Period. BUT - and here is the kick in the teeth - they put an unusually high percentage of students into Ivy League schools and other prestigious universities. So - should K-12 public schools put their money into keeping students longer during the day (say, study hours after athletics as at Woodberry?) instead of technology?

I don’t know. But after spending 8 years as a Technology Director and spending countless hours on helping teachers bring technology to their students, it’s making me wonder what impact this push for technology is all about. Projectors are nice, but when teacher continue to use them poorly, what good do that really do. Laptops are convenient, but awfully expensive for the return maybe.

Of course, then I see this…and this…and wonder even more.