Interactive whiteboards were being promoted, wireless networks were seen as being another evolutionary step in online education and there were software packages for everything from tackling truancy to writing reports.

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They found there was no question that hardware such as interactive whiteboards, digital tablets or software such as educational games could help improve pupils' learning if used properly.

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For example, it is becoming increasingly common for every K-12 student to have a computing device, interactive whiteboards are now commonplace, cloud computing is lowering the costs for software implementation, and social networks are increasingly playing a part in our everyday social and educational lives.

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Across the country, schools are replacing good old slate and chalk in favor of interactive, computer-driven whiteboards.

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