Technology & Tech Companies Drive Curriculum and Instruction

In talking with my students today about research papers and the research process, I discussed with them the "ease" of doing research in a technological era.  Without a doubt, researching information and pulling it together into a formal paper is much more efficient with the internet and word processing and software and services such as Noodle Tools.  Additionally, the development of search engine filters like Turnitin.com have improved a teacher's ability to ensure academic integrity.  Now with the rise of MOOc companies like Khan Academy and Schoolology and COLE and Blackboard, schools can offer countless new services as well as refined versions of old standards.  Certainly, the influence of tech companies on curriculum and instruction has been part of a new direction in school.