K-12 achievement tied to technology, not controversy

Americans are passionate about education, but global educational rankings for the United States are dismal. The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) tested math and science accomplishments of 15-year-old students in 76 countries and the United States did not fare well. Singapore ranked “best in the world” and Hong Kong placed second. South Korea, […]

Technology spending tops out for schools this year

As summer days wind to a close, families with students begin to anticipate the start of another school year.  For most, it’s an exciting time. School officials spent most of the summer months working on budgets, curriculum, planning, building repair and technology upgrades, but they, too, are anticipating opening day. Many students will find new […]

Transportation technology rescuing frustrated U.S. motorists

Traffic congestion – is anything more frustrating?  Time is wasted.  Stress levels rise. Motorists are in danger when emergencies occur. Drivers become erratic. Something must be done! With inadequate transportation funding, cities and states throughout the United States are searching for solutions.  One of the latest trends is a “smart” traffic signal system. Some cities […]

Ready for smart grid? If not, why not?

Electrical grids in 2035 will be very different than they are now. Most likely, we’ll all be on the smart grid, but what will the differences be and how will our lives be impacted?  Those are the questions confounding both government and the private sector. It is not possible to know exactly what to expect […]

Public-private collaboration becoming common at federal level of government

Large governmental agencies remind me of huge ships that change course slowly and methodically. It is easier not to make course changes, but often outside forces make it necessary. That’s what is happening throughout government today. Technology, higher expectations, global competition and reduced funding all contribute to the need for significant changes. The federal government’s […]

Big data responsible for some good things happening in government

French philosopher Voltaire said, “With great power comes great responsibility.”  The same is true for data gathering – “with big data comes great responsibility.” Data, especially metadata, is a hot topic. Congress is arguing about whether to allow governmental entities to collect and store phone records.  Some believe it infringes on the right of privacy, […]