Bill Gates: Technology won't help if students aren't motivated

Bill  Gates has spent millions taking control of public education, supporting policies that have demonized teachers and pushing school districts into putting far more money into technology than they should be.

The noted educational historian/blogger Diane Ravitch pointed out this ABC News article in which Gates spells out the problem with his approach, though he apparently does not understand that he is at least partially responsible for that problem:

Gates talked about his foundation's work improving and distributing vaccines across the world. But he says making advances in education is the foundation's hardest challenge.

"You name it, we have been passed by," Gates said of the country's math and science programs.

New technology to engage students holds some promise, but Gates says it tends to only benefit those who are motivated.

"And the one thing we have a lot of in the United States is unmotivated students," Gates said.

What Gates does not seem to understand is that he is a big part of the problem. He is the one who has spearheaded the current fad of placing technology in front of the students and replacing the teachers who have the best chance of motivating those students.