Technology in Education: The paths travelled to the current challenges

This article presents a review of the recent history of information and communication technologies in education through a retrospective of the paths traveled in countries whose actions have had strong influence on the Brazilian trajectory, with special emphasis on the United States, France and Portugal. The subject is next addressed in the context of the Brazilian reality, characterized by the current proposal to introduce small, portable, low cost equipment (educational laptops) in schools. Finally, the major convergences that stand out in the history of technology in education in these countries is highlighted. It is concluded that, despite the quantitative disparity between these countries with respect to the availability of resources, the implementation of actions has not achieved the objectives, goals, desires and utopias, and many challenges remain to be overcome, particularly with regard to the training of educators for the effective integration of ICT in schools and the curriculum.