"Wired Schools" a pain or gain?????

You walk passed a typical classroom in New Jersey and what do you expect to see? Most would imagine your everyday classroom of kids sitting at individual desks, each with a notebook in front of them taking notes, and listening to the teachers words of knowledge. But in the introduction to Computers and Technology, Richard Ohmann provides a different scene of a once failed school district transformed into "one of the most 'wired' urban school districts in the U.S." (62). Specifically, the classroom was full of students who each had their own grant supported wireless computer placed in front of them. Ohmann uses his article to stress that the false ideas of technology enhancing learning abilities is not always the case. As the author himself puts it, "thirty percent of college courses had websites a year ago, and sixty percent used e-mail 'as a tool for instruction' but only fourteen percent of the administrators...held that 'technology has improved instruction on my campus'" (63). Although some people believe that technology can save U.S. education, Ohman insists that students use the computers more for recreational purposes and have found it easier to plagiarize by using the Internet. In sum, then, his view is that many schools are spending too much money on technology believing that it is improving the value of the education they are giving, when in reality it can even decrease educational values and knowledge.
I have mixed feelings on this issure the Ohman presents in his article. In my view, he is completely right on the issue that students who have computers in front of them in class will surf the net instead of listening to the teacher and using the technology for learning purposes. On the other hand, I believe that the Internet is a very effective form of an educational aid if used properly. For instance, kinistetic and audio learners could gain an abundance of knowlege by seeing movies and pictures on slideshows while the lesson is being taught. In addition, the Internet is a great source for projects and research and can expand students horizons. Yet I would argut that students are more likely to plagarize and cheat through the use of the Internet. Overall, then, I believe that technology must be used effectively only--an important poin t make given to educators around the world.