Right now, in almost every school district in the country, someone is thinking about using technology in the classroom. Schools everywhere, it seems, are buying computers, rewiring buildings, logging on to the Internet. But for staff in many small, rural schools, finding the vision, resources, person-power, and know-how to integrate technology and instruction seems like an almost impossible task. This guide is designed to help make that task possible.

It's for people in small, rural school districts who are considering ways of using technology in the classroom, or who are wondering how to get started. Though it should be helpful to anyone interested in the subject, the guide is written with two primary audiences in mind: superintendents and other central office staff who are charged with making technology decisions.

To provide you, or others you might need to convince, with information about why technology is worth the trouble and what it can accomplish.

In spite of its sizable bandwagon, technology still appears to many people to be more trouble and expense than it's worth, especially when a school is struggling to find ways of replacing a broken-down bus or meeting the latest state mandate. But there are compelling reasons for every school district to consider technology alternatives. This guide offers a concise summary of those reasons.

To lay out the basic issues and tasks involved in integrating technology into classroom instruction.

Using technology effectively is a big challenge. Fortunately, most of the problems and pitfalls have been discovered by other folks. The guide suggests an experience-based, step-by-step approach to planning and implementation. It also lists many of the common problems schools encounter, and strategies for avoiding them.

To point you to the resources you'll need.

An amazing array of information is available to help schools in planning for technology use, in locating funding and other supports, and in linking to service providers who can offer advice and assistance. We have listed resources that are easily accessible and of practical use after each major topic.