This paper proposes a reflection on the evolution of educational technologies and on its impact on school education. Over time, even though with different approaches, methods and tools, educational technology as a field of research has followed substantially two main directions. The first direction has resulted in studies on the new technical and conceptual skills required by digital technologies, the second has focused on the use of ICT to change teaching and learning environments and the way in which curricular subjects are taught. In this paper the evolution of research in educational technology is briefly outlined considering these two orientations. The paper then considers how policy issues influence the large-scale implementation of plans for digital schools with a brief examination of the specific case of Italy.