The K-12 IT Challenge


		Understanding the K-12 IT Challenge Start with the goal: Education technology exists not for its own sake but to support the learning process. IT enables learning by giving users equal access to instructional software and knowledge resources. This access must occur in a heterogeneous environment: old and new computers, Apple, Windows, or Linux. Access must be simple, reliable, fast, and secure. Access should be flexible enough to use from home or any other location. Variables and Constraints How to deal with older computers that have trouble handling new apps? How to efficiently handle updates or new programs without touching each computer? How to provide each user with the appropriate tools while keeping information secure? How to handle issues like antivirus and backups without relying on user involvement? How to improve response time to service requests without adding technical staff? How to free teachers from technical tasks so they can concentrate on education? How to prevent technical problems from interfering with the learning process? How to economically improve the user : computer ratio? How to cope with growth? How to treat computer technology as a utility, like electricity or plumbing? How to do all these things cost effectively? Evaluating Potential Solutions There are two approaches to networked computer technology in the K-12 setting - traditional client-server computing and server-centric computing.