At the elementary school level, not much has changed in the way that children are taught. Children learn keyboarding, word processing, chart and graphs, but the basics of learning remain in the classroom, usually on the whiteboard.
At middle school and high school, change has really taken hold. There seems to be an understanding that student’s minds have adapted to technology; it is through that channel that they are taught. Students don’t bring home textbooks. Their texts are on-line, their homework is on-line, and their notes are on-line. Parent pages and E-boards are available to check their progress. It is a real revolution.
I especially noticed the movement away from books. At first, I was appalled, until I realized how much easier it is to keep on-line sources current. Although wikipedia is unreliable in some cases, so is an encyclopedia that hasn’t been updated in two years.
The pleasure of holding and reading a book anywhere is still great and will never disappear, but the need for quick concise information is often better filled by on-line sources. Now, when children read a highly textured book, is often more difficult for them than for our generation. Our whole vantage point has changed and will continue to change.

Blogs cause great interactivity. I have looked at four classmate blogs. Two:
http://jeff-edblog.blogspot.com
http:www.brianhannigan.com/blog
are great resources for teachers. These students have used technology and have some good ideas on how to use it. That's a great help.
Another students not only discusses the privacy,protection issue, but has some ideas on how to address that (http:lksdcmptr.blogspot.com)
Some are just discovering new technology and are a little nervous about using it (much like a student would be)
The point isn't that each blog adds something, it is that the blogs as a whole create a support system for the students, so that they feel they have a friendly (friendly is important) face looking over their shoulder. The cross-pollination of ideas is fantastic, and it gives a teacher the reassurance that if they are confused by a technology, there is help there. It also helps them to understand the technology so that they know what their students are up to. Blogs can really enrich your life, provided you don't just blather on, or permit your students to blather on. There has to be some topic and oversight. But defubutekt shouuld be used.

I am beginning to see that the most important aspect of using technology in schools is the security of the children. Teachers need to follow a curriculum and think of good uses, but unless they can guarantee safety,privacy and oversight, school administrations are worried. And rightly so! Children can get into so much trouble!
I have been doing podcasts, but before my ideas are complete, I must research how to provide oversight and security. When I find other peoples ideas I will post them, or please, leave comments.