An Investment in Education Technology

Education technology got a huge boost this week when the publishing house Houghton Mifflin Harcourt announced a $400 million investment in equipping classrooms with modern infrastructure. The decision is in-line with the company's focus on building better classrooms through technology. The announcement comes just weeks after another noted education-minded professional, Bill Gates, gave a speech outlining his vision for the future of technology in schools. Gates, in a speech at the Techonomy conference, declared that: "Five years from now on the web for free you'll be able to find the best lectures in the world."

The investment announced Monday includes $100 million for technological resources that support student achievement.  Houghton Mifflin Harcourt has the resources (both capital and product expertise) to assist up-and-coming educational entrepreneurs to harness the real power of technology in the classroom.  The company says it will invest $300 million over the next three years in developing technology for the Apple iPad and similar products that already have a huge educational draw.

While such technological advances are necessary and game-changing, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt doesn't see traditional mode of instruction disappearing entirely.  Gates, in his speech, agreed, noting that education has become far too expensive and colleges and universities are often molded in such a way that a majority of adults haven't the time or resources to attend.  Simultaneously, the government continues to cut Pell Grants and other forms of financial aid.  There's also an issue of instructional delivery.  Gates believes that most English-language textbooks are intimidating for students.  Students in China are far outpacing those in the United States.  Interestingly, the textbooks in China are one-third the size.  Technological advances like those envisioned at Houghton Mifflin Harcourt will, hopefully, lessen the gap between the American education system and those of rivaling nations.

Photo Credit: Matthew Smith