Improving the classroom learning experience

Technology that truly impacts how good things can be done better is worth knowing, understanding and appreciating. As a lifelong student I have been interested to know how technology can, is and will impact education. A press release from Cisco today on its suite of classroom learning tools is worth taking note of.The full press release is here:http://newsroom.cisco.com/dlls/2010/prod050310.html?CMP=AF17154&vsf=News@Cisco:+News+Releases&vsp=News@Cisco:+News+Releases&vsk=1I wont claim to be an expert and evaluate Cisco's word on the matter. We will take it as it is - they have lived up to their claims for a long time now to be questioned on it. The suite in its entirety is pretty exciting in what it claims it can do. It will truly change distance education and e-learning systems if implemented fully. What I am curious to know is how can it impact low income education systems and school boards on a budget crunch (as almost all of the country is today)?. Can it save money for the school district or university system while improving on things as it stands today?The other dimension to this technological evolution in how education is delivered is more personal - is there a downside to our dependence on such systems for learning?. When I was doing my undergrad, I used to have a handwriting that was appreciated and well respected. Once I hit grad school and subsequently a career in technology, my handwriting has significantly deteriorated. Reason- I use electronic systems to do most of my reports and communication. There is no value for the written word. The same is true for our memories. The more I trust my smartphone to handle my tasks and phone numbers and such, the less I focus on trying to retain this information in my head. As we head towards the smart learning systems that truly are innovative and ground breaking, do we stand to lose something else in the process?