To the Editor:
Thank you for your article about the Software & Information Industry Association’s effort to assist schools with technology-related goals and objectives (“Software Industry Promotes Goals for School Technology,” March 26, 2008). Keith R. Krueger of the Consortium for School Networking, quoted in your story, makes a very salient point about other industries’ multipurpose use of technology. For them, there is not this perpetual debate about technology that we have been having for 25 years in education.
Would anyone in his or her right mind question the importance of technology in American business, in our health-care system, or in the military-industrial complex? Motives will always be scrutinized regarding the promotion of vendor products and services, but it should also be noted that the education technology industry has many special people who care deeply about how their products can improve the education world in major areas such as learning, teaching, and administering. Passionate people in education technology companies spend time collaborating with school practitioners every day.
Bob Longo
Executive Vice President
Etech Group North America
Palo Alto, Calif.
