Throughout the last century, America has lead the frontier in research breakthroughs and technological advances. Each day scientists and high tech workers are generating new products for consumers worldwide. As our world grows into more complex technological advanced society, many consumers will fall behind in the ability to make use of today's technology.
Innovations in technology are critical to our nation. There are many underlying principles why the world must continue to produce new technology. First, technology fuels sustainable economic expansion, creating high wage jobs, high-end exports, and productivity growth. Innovations also improve our quality of life with new drugs and cures that help people live longer and healthier lives. Agriculturally the advances aid in a harvest that is more bountiful with less herbicides and pesticides. Technology is also vital to our efforts in protecting our homeland, detecting visible and invisible dangers that could potentially harm our very infrastructure. Fuel cell technology will help many future needs, such as protecting our environment and decreasing dependency on foreign oil.
The Bush Administration has made it very well known technology is critical to our future. President Bush's budget proposal includes $123 Billion dollars in research and development. Bush has also made education a top priority, not only for the sake of keeping up with technology, but to be a leader in the path for new innovations and discoveries for our generation. Technology has a positive effect on student achievement in both regular and special education from preschool through high school. Technology has a positive effect on a student's attitude towards learning. When technology allows the students to help direct their own learning, students become more involved and motivated to gain knowledge. The introduction of technology into the learning environment can make learning more student-centered, encourage cooperative learning and stimulate increased teacher and student interaction.