NASPA Journal, 2007, Vol. 44, no. 3
Students’ Technology Use and Its Effects on Peer Relationships, Academic Involvement, and Healthy Lifestyles
Jan M. Lloyd Laura A. Dean Diane L. Cooper
The purpose of this study was to explore students’ technology use and its relationship with their psychosocial development. Previous research explored students’ computer use in conjunction with their cognitive development. This study examined the effects of computer use and other technologies, such as instant messaging, handheld gaming devices, and MP3 players, and the impact they have on students’ peer relationships, academic involvement, and healthy lifestyles. Results show both positive and negative effects on all three constructs of psychosocial
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On average, students in the 2005 study reported that they spend 11 to 15 hours a week using technology. Despite the increase in all types of technology, little is known about how these technologies impact student development (Lewis, Coursol, & Khan, 2001). A perception by colleges is that technology will have a positive impact on student learning. Academically, computers allow students to communicate with faculty more often (Arend, 2005), which can improve student-faculty relationships. Students claim to have a better understanding of course material through the use of technology in the classroom (Arend, 2005). Some research studies, however, have conflicting results. Kuh and Vesper (2001) examined the relationship between students’ use of computers and students’ cognitive and intellectual development gains reported on the College Student Experiences Questionnaire. These 23 developmental gains include student reported gains such as writing clearly, ability to learn on own, understanding other people, and understanding science as some examples. Students who used computers more often outscored students with low use on every developmental gain. Students also scored significantly higher on learning how to function as a team member. The authors surmise that computers may make it easier for students to communicate with one another and therefore does not hinder students’ social skills. However, a study by Flower, Pascarella, and Pierson
Throughout this course, a new perspective has provided us with the opportunity to take a look at many of the different ways in which the digital world has become one of the most dominant viewpoints of today’s generation, and how technology has taken over and welcomed itself into many aspects of our lives. This course paper will take a look at one topic of interest in particular, which in hopes will shed some light on a heavily discussed topic in the education world: does technology help or hinder the student. This paper will look to prove the point and discover more about the way in which technology has been incorporated into the classroom, both in an elementary context as well as a post-secondary context, and the effects that it has had on the student, the teacher, and the overall academic development that accompanies it.
There are so many avenues to experience by using technology from research to presentation. For example, the use of classroom-to-classroom video chatting, such as a debate between two classes on a particular subject, can help students learn in a quicker manner and help them understand the topic at a higher degree. The use of iPads early on in elementary school and the introduction to computers that many children don’t receive would be beneficial later on in life. In today’s society, technology is used extensively in the workforce. Having the proper up-to-date technology can help the student better succeed and stay on top of the growing world. Utilization of technology will now prepare students for a better future. Schools should provide more ways to use technology in order to prepare students for a better
It is a new world today because of the rate it is growing at. From homes all over America to international companies, technology has now managed to creep its way into the classrooms. In the article “Virtual Students, Digital Classroom” Neil Postman states, “…We will become the kind of people the technology requires us to be, and whether we like it or not,we will remake our institutions to accommodate technology” (378). This statement affirms that the need for technology will just continue to grow and that it will govern children. Walking to the library and spending what seems like endless hours to do research for homework is unheard of anymore. Students nowadays have everything they need right at their fingertips, never having to leave the comforts of their home to do school work. With that being said, though, Postman also says, “...The computer and its associated technologies are awesome additions to a culture, and are quite capable of altering the psychic, not to mention the sleeping, [sic] habits of our young” (378). Is it actually helping students or is it honestly hurting them? With the addition of new machines, students are pushed to adhere more information but are given easier ways to gather
The article states, “Using technology in team building appeared to hold substantial benefits for students, particularly those who had trouble engaging with their peers. Technology introduced a new dimension of relevance that made a difference in the schooling experience of otherwise disengaged students” (Bishop, Downes 2015). Students were placed in groups when they worked with technology and this allowed peers to seek each other 's help and eventually feel more comfortable working together. Teachers would be encouraged to use technology at least 2 hours a day. Kinder students can be given shorter periods of technology use and their use can be for learning numbers and alphabet. As grades increase the more independent students can be with their use of technology and the time they use it will also increase. What is clear is that technology is a key element in producing an effective school.
Technology has opened many opportunities for students, but is it taking a toll on their education? Based on the two articles the “Avid Weekly: When it is and isn’t OK to be on your smartphone: the conclusive guide” by Caitlin Dewey and Is Technology Killing Our Friendship By Lauren Tarshis, technology can have a lasting effect that can either be positive or negative. Technology has let the world stay in touch with what’s happening around them, which has positively affected students and their surroundings. Causing disruptions though is something not to be happy about, because if technology advances in classrooms, students can easily be picked off into the wonders of technology. Although technology has helped students prosper, there are still
C. (2014). The positive effects of technology on teaching and student learning. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com.proxy.cecybrary.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=eric&AN=ED554557&site=ehost-live
CourseSmart and Wakefeild research did a survey on 500 American college students. 73% of students said they would not be able to study without any form of technology. 70% of students said they would rather take notes on their computers than handwriting. A surprising 91% of students said they would rather use technology to get in touch with their professors. The
“By 2009, 97% of classrooms had one or more computers, and 93% of classroom computers had Internet access. For every 5 students, there was one computer. Instructors stated that 40% of students used computers, often in their educational methods, in addition to interactive whiteboards and digital cameras”(Educational technology). The country is on the threshold of the most radical change in American education in over a century. It is clear that technology is increasing and is now woven through education as well.
Every day the world is changing and things are done differently. Technology has also affected the way students are taught and in which they learn. It has changed the classroom. Technology saves us time and allows us to access material in only minutes. “The Internet and online subscription databases, even as a supplement to the printed works in the library, allow students to see, and force them to consider or reject, points of view that they might never have encountered in decades past” (Gow 4).With all the time technology produces, it also has downsides and it also may have created a less intelligent society.
Jenny Arledge, a first grade teacher in Valparaiso, Indiana states, “Technology can become the ‘wings’ that will allow the educational world to fly farther and faster than ever before—if we will allow it.” In today’s society, technology is all around us and ever changing, especially in schools. Technology can help give students a better education by allowing more opportunities for learning. Some people claim that technology is a distraction from learning and that it is more negative than beneficial, but this is not true because technology helps students learn more than they would ever be able to. Without technology students would not have the opportunity to learn to their potential. Although technology has its drawbacks, schools should consider how technology helps schools change in preparation for the future, allows students to retain new information, and increases interaction and communication.
If students do not use technology in high school, they don’t learn the proper way to handle technology. When students go to college, they will miss important things like notes and lectures because they are too busy trying to pull
Technology is everywhere, it is involved in almost every part of our culture. It affects how we live, work, play, and most importantly learn. With technology being such a fundamental part of our lives and growing each day, it only makes sense that schools incorporate technology in the classrooms. Even though many people support the use of technology in schools, there are those that have concerns about the effectiveness of technology and whether or not it undermines education to solely prepare students for the workforce. Despite the concerns, technology is being integrated with classroom lessons daily, and proving how beneficial it is for student success.
Technology can help students in all areas of study. Students need to be able to use this technology since, “Currently and in the near future, it is understood that students need to acquire more autonomous skills of ‘information gathering, analysis, and display’” (Todnem, 2004, p. 1). Furthermore, the use of technology, mainly the internet, provides for variation since “Students find themselves bored and burnt-out of the lecture format to classes, so changing the curriculum and instruction to include things like online assignments and educational videogames can be one clear remedy” (Todnem, 2004, p. 1). Teachers who have implemented technology into their classrooms have noticed changes in their students. The most common of these effects being an increase in motivation. In “Effects of Technology on Classrooms and Students” another positive effect is given “technology effect stressed by many teachers was enhancement of student self esteem” (“Effects,” 2004, p. 2).
As we navigate through the 21st century, technology in the classroom is becoming further predominant. iPads are replacing our textbooks, and we can research any desired topic on our smartphones. The impact that technology has had on today’s schools has been utterly momentous. Educators have now seen firsthand the numerous benefits of technology in the classroom. According to a study by IT Trade Association CompTIA, around 75 percent of educators have come to the conclusion that technology has a positive impact on the education process. Educators have also recognized the significance of developing these technological skills in students so they will be prepared to enter the workforce after they graduate (Cox). By incorporating technology in the classroom, teachers are setting our students up for a successful life outside of school. The increase of technology has even changed how teachers teach along with how
Furthermore, as communication and writing skills diminish our school performance begins to be affected. The entertainment of mobile devices distracts nearly every student in the classroom whether it is texting, or playing games, or surfing the net. Mobile devices also play a big role in communication by making it possible for students to easily communicate with each other when they should not be. The power to communicate with virtually anyone is a major distraction. Some teens are so attached to their technological devices they sleep with phones on and wake up to answer text messages they get at night. When kids have cell phones in their classrooms they are extremely distracted from what is actually being taught. They are looking down and playing their games or going on social networking sites instead of listening to their teachers. With the constant distraction of technology and teens short attention spans reading and writing skills have suffered significantly and vocabularies are shrinking. This relates to their education and their ability to do well in school. Another problem is that technology provides students with the ability to explore numerous search engines for any problem they come across and copy them word for word. It seems that students don’t spend time thinking; they are simply repeating information instead of learning concepts and ideas. When students do this, they do not actually learn the