by Mel Riddile

With each passing day, we improve our chances of leveling the playing field for all students by bridging the digital divide. Despite tight budgets, the technology future for schools is bright. Overall, the cost of technology equipment continues to fall. The capacity and computing power continues to accelerate. Personal computing devices are getting smaller and smaller. Convenience and ease-of-use continues to improve.

THE Journal has announced the “5 K-12 Technology Trends for 2010.”

1. eBooks – With textbooks costs rising as fast as computer costs are falling, we are reaching a point where it will be more economical to provide electronics versions of textbooks to every student.

2. Netbooks  - These ultra-compact devices are very close to being able to replace laptops for students.

3. Interactive Whiteboards – These will soon be standard in every classroom.

4. Personal Devices are Ubiquitous – My wife claims that, other than grading the papers of her graduate students, she can do everything on her iPhone. Cell phones, PDAs and other personal computing devices are becoming useful learning devices with the potential for Disrupting Class.

5. Customized Learning – Clayton Christensen was right about customization but he may have overestimated the time it would take for technology to catch up with the needs of learners.