Education in the information age: Why computers should be a cautious addition to teachers' tool kits

Canadian classrooms are entering the information age with the introduction of computers and networked communications systems. Among governments funding the wiring of Canadian schools, one of the few growth areas in education today, there's a sense computers will help students learn and in turn make Canada a more competitive country. While students are using computers in interesting ways, the optimism may not be entirely warranted. Instead of rushing to connect classrooms, schools may want to slow down and look at where the expensive equipment can be used in the most effective ways. This thesis will look at how computers are being used in classrooms, why schools are computerizing and whether computers can help students learn. It will then look at the cost of computerization at a time of cutbacks and some of the hidden costs computers bring with them, including ties to the business world and online advertising.