Can There Be Equal Education Without Equal Studentsaccess to Computer Technology?

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CAN THERE BE EQUAL EDUCATION WITHOUT EQUAL STUDENTS ACCESS TO COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY? Computer technology is an important ‘ingredient’ in education. Computer technology stimulates interest in 99.9% of students at different educational levels across the globe thus enhancing students' learning abilities. However, not all students have equal access to computer technology. In order for equal education there must be equal access to computer technology. When a school or district decides to implement education technology into the curriculum, one of its overriding goals must be to create plans and policies for all members of the learning community to have equitable access and use. Appropriate funding and professional development represent the key means of supporting equitable access and use of technology to ensure technology literacy and to support meaningful learning for all students. According to The National Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Engineering (1995) "Technology can become the force that equalizes the educational opportunities of all children regardless of location and social and economic circumstance. Computer technology is very advantageous as it serves as a cost-effective mechanism. Terrett (1993) points out, "The use of technology, even though viewed by some as expensive and unnecessary, it creates a cost-efficient mechanism that gives students access to materials and resources that were previously unavailable" (p. 30). Such access to resources, especially the wealth of information available through the Internet's World Wide Web, provides an important foundation for school-based learning. For example: students can access books online rather than purchase expensive text books, the computer can also store valuable information in large quantity rather than printing numerous files for reference. Ironically, those students who have not had equal
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