The Financial Cost of Technology in Education

1365 Words3 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Impacts of technology on education systems

The Financial Cost of Technology in Education

Think about how much it costs you or your family to keep up with the latest computer technology. Also think about about how much you pay at home for a high speed internet connection. Not to mention, the security, adware, and virus protection software you must purchase to ensure your computer keeps working properly. Consider how much it costs to outfit a single classroom with this technology, or even an entire school.

Schools are still expected to provide books, pencils, and paper; however, they are now also expected to budget in computers, scientific calculators, and DVD players. Computers cost up to one thousand dollars a piece; scientific and graphing calculators cost around one hundred dollars a piece; in addition wiring the schools to accept this new technology can cost thousands. The cost to implement technology into our schools is enormous, tens of thousands per school, and millions per school system. In the 21st century, people are becoming more and more dependent on technology. We rely on computers and cell phones more than books and meeting people face-to-face. The internet is becoming a main source of information and communication. Schools, as the primary educational source, must then teach children at a young age how to use technology as an efficient and effective tool.

In schools’ haste to update and modernize everything, many concerns are overlooked; most notably, the necessity of additional technology and the amount of time and money required for the new technology. In many instances, the cost of technology is far greater than the rewards. The Washington Post reported that D.C. public schools lost $25 million and five years on a failed project to insta...

... middle of paper ...

...aste.” The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. May 23, 2004. News; Pg. 1A. Retrieved from Lexis Nexis Academic on 10/18/04.

6. Hare, Mary Gail. “School officials explain rising cost of programs; County must pay the bills for state, federal initiatives.” The Baltimore Sun. August 6, 2004 Friday CARROLL Edition. LOCAL, Pg. 5B. Retrieved from Lexis Nexis Academic on 10/18/04.

7. King, Wayne D. “Taxpayers don’t have to be strangled by the cost of technology in schools.” (1998) New Hampshire Business Review. Vol. 20 Issue 23, p9. Retrieved from MasterFILE on 10/18/04.

8. Fickes, Michael. “How much does technology really cost?” (May, 2004.) School Planning and Management. Vol. 43 Issue 5, Pg. 16. Retrieved from Ebsco on 10/18/04

9. “The Price is Wrong.” (Nov/Dec 1997) Learning journal. Vol. 26 Issue 3, pg. 7. Retrieved from Ebsco on 10/18/04

Show More
Related

  • The Tunguska Explosion: An Unexpected Loud Bang and Explosion by Philip Coppens

    1420 Words  | 3 Pages

    Just as any other morning, Siberia was quiet and peaceful where everybody was just enjoying themselves, living their life when something catastrophic struck many peoples’ lives. Tunguska, Siberia has many mysteries, but this one mystery has had Russia very concerned. Until this very day, they’re trying to find the key evidence of a tragic event that was taking place on the banks of the river Podkamennaya Tunguska, Siberia. This event has struck many lives and not one single soul has found the cause or reason to why or what happened there. Though, many remarkable stories were told, nobody has ever found the truth or accurate evidence. Many Russian scientists can’t even pin point out the signs to the cause of it but remarkably having many theories. Today, Tunguska still remains a notorious mystery as scientists still search the area for more interesting clues, if any, which may change the Russians forever. On the morning of June 30, 1908, roughly 7:17 am, a catastrophic and mysterious occurrence has taken place by the Tunguska River, but that is about all this is known about it. This event was an explosion; an explosion that still remains unknown on how or what happened, who caused it, and why. In the article “The Tunguska explosion: an unexpected loud bang and explosion” by Philip Coppens, the explosion was so significant in history that this event is known for being the largest impact in history. Over 80 million trees had fallen over an area of 2,150 square kilometers. Also, in Coppens’ article, several people in the villages nearby had suffered from fatal burns and later reported that two people were killed. William K. Hartmann, who wrote the article “1908 Siberia Explosion: Reconstructing an Asteroid Impact from Eyewitness Accou...

    Read More

  • Pros And Cons Of Nuclear Power

    1053 Words  | 3 Pages

    Nuclear power is a relatively new method of supplying the ever growing population with the electricity that is required. Although the majority of people are unsure of how generation occurs, nuclear power provides roughly 17% of the world’s power. (Rich, Alex K...) This makes nuclear power a deciding factor in how the race progresses in technology and energy fabrication as it is able to produce mass amounts of electricity in short periods of time. The limit potential for nuclear power is unclear in not only energy but also weaponry and some medical uses. The fact that uranium and the radioactivity that comes with it are used in facilities and other inventions often lead people to distrust the inventions which, while not entirely un-called for, hinders progress and leads to fables and tales around nuclear energy, its creation, and the nuclear power plants that are springing up around the world. This causes nuclear facilities to slow in their development which only makes things worse because as things progress the facilities will only get increasingly safe as long as they are handled professionally. (Rich, Alex K…) Some of the slanderous fables around nuclear power include things like claiming that nuclear facilities cannot operate during droughts and water shortages. (Kharecha, Pushker…) While nuclear power is accompanied by several risks, it can also be the solution for various global strains and difficulties.

    Read More

  • Amanda Ripley's The Smartest Kids In The World

    1016 Words  | 3 Pages

    I was surprised to learn that students from both the U.S. and abroad agreed that American schools had more technology. I think of Japan and Hong Kong as being very technologically advanced and did not expect to have more than them. Ripley reports that “the United States invests more heavily in technology in classrooms than even high-performing countries.” This result opens an interesting debate of whether technology advances student learning. In my high school, we had a one-for-one policy, meaning each student in grades 9-12 received a district-owned laptop. The laptops did indeed increase student learning, but for reasons other than what the school board wants to think. The laptops provided every student with a means to complete their homework. There were no more excuses of “My printer broke!” or “My Wi-Fi connection was down!” Each student was expected to download the assignment while at school, where the Wi-Fi was guaranteed. Then, the work could be completed at home and turned in during the next class session. The laptops provided accountability for all the students, but did not ‘enhance classroom lessons’, as was the intention. The school board liked to believe that the technology would increase interactivity in classrooms and open new doors for learning, but that interactivity that was discussed in board meetings was nonexistent in practicality. In addition, they tended to waste time. We would spend the

    Read More

  • Charter Schools in Washington DC: A Reasonable Solution?

    2379 Words  | 5 Pages

    Koppich, Julia E. “Journal Issue: Financing Schools.” The Future of Children. 7.3. (1997). Web. 30 Apr. 2014.

    Read More

  • Nuclear Power Essay

    698 Words  | 2 Pages

    Nuclear energy is produced during the process named nuclear fission or nuclear fusion. The development of nuclear energy started in the 20th century and there is now worldwide recognition for using nuclear energy. Popular countries that operates nuclear power are United States, France, Japan, and Russia, the nuclear energy generates up to 6% of the world’s electricity supplies. Even though the energy is mostly used by many countries, but it may causes side effect to the living things in the environment. (WNA, 2012)

    Read More

  • A Crisis: Funding for Educational Technology in the United States

    1872 Words  | 4 Pages

    The United States is a country that thrives through technological advancement. The wealth and success of this nation is dependent on providing every child, regardless of race, ethnicity, or gender, with the opportunity to obtain technological skills that are essential for a successful future. Unfortunately, educational funding for technology has failed to take precedent. In realizing that, the question then becomes, how is a country expected to thrive from the use and advancement of technology, when failing to properly train future leaders? Funding must be provided for schools to purchase technological equipment, such as computers, in order to ensure that each child has an equal chance to thrive in a country that is defined by its advancement in technology.

    Read More

  • Nuclear Energy Essay

    998 Words  | 2 Pages

    Nuclear power is the generation of electricity from an atomic reaction. (World Statistics: Nuclear Energy Around the World n.d.) Though it produces zero carbon emissions there has been a decline in support for nuclear power and increased its support for alternative energies in the pursuit for a fossil free energy sector. Factors that have resulted in the reduction of support for nuclear energy include nuclear accidents and waste and the positives of renewable energy which include clean energy, sustainable and reduced health and environmental risks.

    Read More

  • Nuclear Power Essay

    968 Words  | 2 Pages

    Even though the consequences of nuclear energy are known by the public, not all people in the society oppose the future development of nuclear energy. Nuclear power is still a safe and clean source of energy...

    Read More

  • Teachers' Salary

    1850 Words  | 4 Pages

    There are a number of key reasons why we must ensure adequate funding of our schools. To start, we must increase the accessibility of the Internet in our schools. With our society growing by the minute the need for technology is rapidly on the run. Today we depend heavily on the Internet to provide us with fast information. It is used in high tech businesses, in homes and in schools. Through the Internet we enable students to explore new and interesting issues. In addition to the books found in our local library, the Internet serves as a fundamental tool for education. With all of the assets that the Internet provides not all schools have it at their disposal. “According to a 1999 survey, conducted by Education Week only 87%, in states like Pennsylvania had Internet access” (Gazette 99). “This number however rose to 90% in 1999.” Although the numbers did rise there are other states that are not even close to that number of access. This poses as a major problem because while other students are building their skills and are learning more, others still rely on books and articles. Through Internet use students will not only be introduced to a wide a ray of topics and search engines but will also be able to familiarize themselves with technology.

    Read More

  • The Decline of Education Standards in the United States

    1664 Words  | 4 Pages

    "Research Center: Technology in Education." Education Week American Education News Site of Record. Web. 19 Nov. 2011. .

    Read More

  • Nuclear essay

    1295 Words  | 3 Pages

    Nuclear energy is a topic scholars and the average person discuss and argue whether they are for it or against it. Inside the nuclear reactor, energy is produced by the fission of Uranium atoms. Other isotopes of Uranium and Plutonium are used in reactors. Fission is the process in which a single atom of Uranium absorbs a slow neutron causing it to become unstable and split into two nuclei causing a chain reaction of splitting. A massive amount of energy is released when the atom splits. It is then captured and turned into electricity. Nuclear energy supplies an abundant amount of power for the United States, but there are still problems with this type of energy. During the process of fission, radioactivity is released and the used Uranium rods are still extremely potent to the environment. This waste from the nuclear reaction is what is causing all the debate between people because the waste has not been able to be stored or handled safely without some risk. If the radioactivity is let out into the open, the byproducts are hazardous. Personally, I support the continuation of the United States’ implementation of nuclear power because there are ways to safely use, handle and store the waste; the nuclear reactors are well protected, there are good and bad effects from the production of power, and there is a way to address the public sentiment of those who oppose it.

    Read More

  • Technology in the Classroom

    1792 Words  | 4 Pages

    3.McLafferty, Charles L. “Technology revolution= education evolution.” Kappa Delta Pi Record v. 37 no. 1. (Fall 2000): 22-5

    Read More

  • Trends And Issues Related To Technology Integration

    2746 Words  | 6 Pages

    ...; it should not be a tool to divide society. The opportunity to learn more effectively should be offered to all students regardless of economic situations. The ability to operate the technologies that locate and use information is a critical skill. If economics are a factor in keeping some students from learning these skills, society as a whole will suffer. All schools need to be equipped to teach in the most effective way; this means they need technology and teachers who know how to use it. Technology is expensive. Federal funds do not cover the expense and funds are always in danger of being cut. This leaves local schools and districts to take up the slack. People need to be aware of the expense and work together to generate funds. Alliances and partnerships with corporations and small businesses are one way to gain equipment. Costs can also be shared by local civic groups, school districts and individuals. If the people band together, they will have a better chance to compete for federal and private foundation money. Well organized grassroot groups influence action. The importance of technology in learning should never be disregarded, and it should be available to all students.

    Read More

  • The Importance of Technology Education in Schools

    839 Words  | 2 Pages

    The education world has been greatly influenced by rapidly changing technology and the increasing availability of information. Schools have advanced by leaps and bounds when it comes to incorporating technology into the learning environment, however, many more advances need to be made. In all areas of the country, educators are trying to help students keep up with technology, but there are more changes that are essential for preparing the next generation for the future.

    Read More

  • The Impact of Technology on Education

    1237 Words  | 3 Pages

    Today, schools are being pressured more and more to improve the technology they use and teach in the classrooms. Parents are placing this pressure on schools so that their students have the skills needed to compete in the real world job market. Students are placing pressure on the schools to improve technology by having more knowledge of

    Read More

More about The Financial Cost of Technology in Education

Open Document