I was an education major for a while in college and have many friends and family who are educators, and I have to say that I absolutely hate when technology is thrust upon students and teachers without any thought as to how it will be applied.

A computer (or iPad or Kindle) can be a great educational tool, but there needs to be serious, thoughtful planning and training before these devices are put into the classroom. I like the idea of getting technology in the hands of kids so that they can experiment and discover (even more so with disadvantaged kids), but I think technology too often gets in the way in the classroom.

How many lessons would be more effective if a teacher walked though things on a chalkboard?

Addendum: I just found a PDF [1] outlining a iPad pilot program. The only tangible objective it lays out is creating an e-Portfolio. Look at all of the cost and effort required to get there! Perhaps there are compelling reasons to use iPads in the classroom, but too many proposals read just like this.

[1] http://www.ipodsibilities.com/iPodsibilities/iPodsibilities_...