Herding Elephants: Coping with the Technological Revolution in our Schools

Abstract

The focus of this paper is two-fold: to what extent do schools need to address computer technology and what strategies could be employed to maximize the benefits and minimize the difficulties in integrating computer technology into the current educational framework. It advocates the incorporation of computer technology into the educational practices of classroom teachers recognizing that computers are merely tools which can be utilized effectively by well-informed practitioners. It employs basic change theory in a discussion centering on managing and coping with change. Particularly, it encourages educators to make an orientational change to ensure that technology is used in "new" ways rather than simply to replace "old" tools.