I believe that using computers for instruction is a very effective tool, and that the use of computers in the classroom can save not only time and money but, more importantly, can help improve educational outcomes. The school board should consider replacing its old and outdated computers with newer, more powerful models, and it should implement the updated technology more widely.’The author makes a compelling argument for why the school board should adopt interactive computer instruction throughout the district. She states that after Nova High School began using computers for instructional purposes, the dropout rate plummeted, and last year’s graduates reported some impressive accomplishments in postsecondary education. Thus, she concludes that interactive computer instruction should be implemented in all schools in the district. However, there are some problems within her logic that I think deserve attention

First, the author makes the assumption that the dropout rate falls when students use computers in the classroom. This is hard to disprove, but there is no reason to believe it. In many countries, including the United States, the dropout rate is high regardless of the type of education a student receives. Furthermore, not every school in the United States uses computers for instructional purposes. Moreover, there are cases in which students use computers to play games or check social media, and these activities do not appear to have negative effects on school performance. Given these alternatives, it would be unwise for the school board to assume that dropping one controversial practice will solve the problem of dropouts

The author also assumes that students who use computers for instructional purposes make A’s and B’s. She provides no evidence for this contention, but a cursory examination of the graduation rates in several Florida counties would indicate that better use of computers might indeed lead to higher graduation rates. A 2005 study on school performance in Hillsborough County concluded that students who used computers for instruction made higher grades and performed better on standardized tests. These results were not confined to Nova High School and were observed in other Hillsborough County schools. If the school board wishes to use computers to improve educational outcomes, it should consider these findings

The author also claims that Nova High School has used interactive computer instruction for three years and has seen positive effects. However, she provides no information about enrollment, graduation, or postsecondary education during the three years. This fact is significant in light of the fact that changes in educational outcomes are usually gradual and may not show themselves immediately. Furthermore, during the first three years, many students who used computers for instruction may not have graduated, so a drop in the dropout rate may not reflect improved educational outcomes. In addition, the author herself acknowledges that the dropout rate declined from 39 to 10 percent, a reduction that is significant, but not impressive. While it is certainly true that Nova High School has experienced a drop in its dropout rate, this drop is not remarkable. Furthermore, the school board should take into account the fact that Nova High School is the only high school in the district to use interactive computer instruction, so it is possible that this is the reason for the dropout rate decline rather than an indication that the school’s educational outcomes have improved

Finally, the author provides no evidence that other high schools in the district should adopt interactive computer instruction. Can anyone dispute the fact that most teachers use computers for instructional purposes? The school board should determine whether other high schools in the district could benefit from using computers for instructional purposes, and if it does, it should implement them

In conclusion, I think the author’s message is correct, but the way she presents it is flawed. The school board should use its limited resources and adopt interactive computer instruction throughout the district. However, the school board should not assume that doing so will solve the problem of dropouts or improve educational outcomes for all schools in the district. Furthermore, the board should consider other alternatives that might provide better educational outcomes, such as increased funding for teachers, increased student access to computers at home, and changes in curriculum.