President Barack Obama’s ConnectED initiative, which seeks to provide 99% of American students with high-speed Internet and improved educational technology, just got a big boost. Microsoft announced its plans to donate $1 billion as part of the ConnectED initiative to help schools purchase computers at steeply discounted rates.
Microsoft Education’s Chief Technology Officer Cameron Evans told CNET that educational technology still has a long way to go.
“As much technology as we’ve brought into schools in the last 30 years, there hasn’t been significant change," Evans said.
Microsoft hopes the donation, coupled with the ConnectED initiative, can help close the technological gap between those students with access to technology and the Internet and those without.
Microsoft’s donation could make quite the difference for many American schools. The company will be offering devices under $300, partnering with several computer manufacturers including Acer, Asus, Dell, HP and Toshiba.