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They are also worried that poorer children, without access to a computer at home, might be left behind in the rush into information and communication technology (ICT).
These are some of the main points that have been made during a series of roadshows under the Classroom of the Future heading that England's Learning and Technology Minister, Michael Wills, has been chairing around the country.
Other issues raised were that educational software had to be more appealing - so school lessons could compete with the sort of games children are used to.
Ongoing debate
The government, in its report on the roadshows, says some of the issues are being addressed already but that the debate "will certainly continue".
BBC News Online users can join in: you can e-mail questions to Michael Wills, who will be answering them in a live webcast interview on Tuesday, 9 May.
A key question for many teachers is how the rest of the curriculum will fit in with the increased profile of information and communication technology.
At the roadshows, teachers from schools which had been picked out as showing best practice in using new technology put the point another way.
They said ICT should not be seen as something separate from other subjects, but as an integral part of delivering all of them.
'Psychological message'
Ladybrook Primary School in Bramhall, Stockport, is an example given in the government report. It opened a new ICT-based "centre of learning" in September 1998.
A traditional library has a computerised database which pupils access using their own "swipe cards". There is a teaching space where staff can use a projector linked to a laptop computer.
 Priory School, Slough, also makes extensive use of computers |
"The learning centre is far more than just somewhere for children to use computers," said the head teacher, Sheila Pennu.
"It helps us get out the psychological message that researching is central to all learning, and that ICT is simply another tool for quality teaching and learning throughout the school.
"ICT is not a distinct subject for us, it is integrated into all subjects."
But she says there is a need for affordable technical support - "affordable by primary school standards".
Support issue
This was a big issue in the roadshows - especially for primary schools, where the support role typically falls to an already hard-pressed ICT co-ordinator.
Buying in specialists is expensive.
Kate Griffin, head of Greenford High School, a large comprehensive in west London, said the problem was already acute.
"The sort of people who have the skills we need are very difficult to come by. I had to advertise four times to get any technical support at all," she said at one of the roadshows.
"They can earn so much more elsewhere."
Marion Brookes, head of Cranford Community College, Hounslow, which makes extensive use of new technology, said she now had "a wealth" of her students helping out part-time in local primary schools.
"It's far, far preferable to filling shelves in Tesco's. It also gives great enjoyment and fulfilment to the young people," she said.
Send your question to Technology Minister Michael Wills:
Disclaimer: The BBC will use as many of your questions as possible but we cannot guarantee that all e-mails will be published. The BBC reserves the right to edit comments that are published. | Search BBC News Online | |
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Computers in schools
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