In Sociology classes we are told that the success of a society relies somewhat on that society's use of tools. Without the spade, there is no harvest. Without the bow & arrow, there is no meal. The use of tools can alter lives.

Today's tools are taking our society into new realms of knowledge and application. Today's tools unlock yesterday's mysteries and tomorrow's possibilities. Today's tools open the heavens for exploration and the seas for discovery. Today's tools are ready and willing to alter the path of education. How we manage these technological tools will have far reaching effects.

This is a most exciting time to be an educator. The tools available to us enable us to stretch horizons and broaden dreams. The role which we allow technology to play in our classrooms today will in part determine the quality of the future lives of our students. How we train our children in the dawn of this new era will greatly effect the quality of their lives. It is no longer enough to prepare these children for tomorrow, that is too short sighted, we must reach further than that an prepare them for the days which follow tomorrow. As educators in the late 20th century, we have the challenge of preparing students for a whole new world.

For the classroom teacher of today and the classroom teacher of yesterday, this presents a wonderful opportunity to learn and grow and stretch ourselves as educators. Technology must be embraced in our schools. This is the time to include our technological resources into our lessons and projects. This is the time to find creative funding for our technological needs. This is the time to build on this new strength.

Tomorrow is at hand.