What if there was a site that would answer questions with real answers and the answers would include properly attributed sources? You could ask "How high is Mount Rainier" and it would tell you.

How could this change public education? I would hope significantly. The first versions of search engines provide information in an instant and yet too many classrooms are still focused on "fact-finding" assignments. Perhaps we should be considering something different..... perhaps assignments that require students to use facts while analyzing, synthesizing and creating products/presentations/proposals requiring high-order thinking skills?

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The E-Rate is a 2.5 billion pound pig drowning in paperwork, rules and oversight. It's time for real change!

In November, 1997 I was one of nine people selected to testify before the House Education Committee in Washington, DC on the Universal Service Fund program. Linda Roberts, Director of the Office of Educational Technology with President Clinton and representatives from national telecommunication companies also participated. It was a very interesting experience and I would like to do it again. On the same topic that is. The E-Rate program had yet to begin in 1997 and I basically shared my support for the program and the positive impact it would have on school districts. While I still see the need for the program and support it I now think a significant "retooling" is in order.

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