Some cost questions about new learning technologies

When dealing with costs, it is usually a good idea to begin with basic questions, such as, "what does this cost", and, "who is paying for it?" Further questions can explore costs in terms of values:

• What is the purpose of this investment? Is it to provide better access? More successful learning outcomes (and how do we define success)? or to achieve some other goal?
  
  
• What is the value returned for the expenditure?
  
  
• How can it be demonstrated that educational technologies are achieving the intended goals, for example that they provide better access as compared to the alternatives?
  
  
• How can we be assured that the costs of the new learning technologies are "worth it", and can there be an agreed set of values to measure this worth?
  
  
• In the case of specific segments of the population who have been previously underserved, can it be demonstrated that the costs of investing in new technologies are justified in terms of outcomes?
  
  
• How can it be shown that investment in new technologies represents the "best use" of funds, in comparison, for example, to subsidizing child care so that women can more readily participate in education and training?