Is it the Technology?

I read this article from the NYTimes: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/17/technology/17essay.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

"At School, Technology Starts to Turn a Corner"

The article talks about how technology is being used for project-based learning.  Technology definitely makes project-learning easier, but is project-learning what is really improving test scores and improving understanding?  

My take on it: teaching students to be proactive is what is improving test scores.  Too many students are coasting by, never encouraged to go above and beyond what is spoonfed to them.  Project-based learning forces students to think for themselves and to be proactive in their own learning.  As a teacher and former student, I really believe that students who are proactive about their learning can succeed, given decent teachers who care enough to teach.

So, is project-based learning the only answer?  I believe it is not.  If you teach using normal lecture-demonstration-activity traditional style, you can still encourage students to be proactive.  Just raise your standards!  Insist on nothing less than each student's best and most of them will try their best.  I truly believe that the main problem with education is the constant lowering of standards to make weaker students "feel better about themselves".  I don't buy it.