The Impact Of Technology On The Classroom

Technology in the school has become an increasingly challenging and somewhat disruptive aspect in today’s educational system. In order to maintain what is considered the status quo, schools have focused their energy and resources on banning cell phones, wireless Internet and blocking social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter in schools. However, as technology continues to grow in our society outside of the school, many believe that effectively involving these technologies into the classroom can ultimately improve student engagement in their learning environments. This research paper will focus on both sides of the argument and ultimately seek to determine if there is a best practice regarding technological being put into schools.

Classrooms today look almost nothing like the classrooms of past generations. Modern classrooms revolve around technology, every room has either a projector or smart board front and center. A significant amount of homework is submitted digitally, and a computer is often a class requirement. Many studies have shown the positive effects these teaching and learning techniques have, and the results are not often disputed. Technology is helping educate students even at the elementary level, but studies are showing a decline in average IQ compared to data collected in the last half a century or so when this technology didn’t exist. A study by the U.S. Census Bureau showed a 2.44-point IQ drop from 1950 to 2000, and predicts an additional

Technology is a portion of everyday life. It affects how business is conducted, teaching, learning, and receiving information. If you were to examine the effects of technology on teaching and learning and acquire an understanding of why technology should be a part of every classroom curriculum, the conclusion would be that technology is a great benefit to the classroom. Due to the immerse impact and changes technology had on society, education was bound to change. According to the report submitted to the New York state Education Department,it states “in an era when the world has become increasingly dependent upon technical solutions to problems, educators are challenged to provide individuals with technological literacy as part of the fundamental education” (Dettelis). As a result of technological impact on the society the education system was forced to incorporate and enforce the use of technology in schools. Even though technology was initially incorporated in school s to aid students in academic success, its negative effects on learning are surpassing its benefits. Learning is being compromised as a result of numerous flaws the role of technology has on education, not only are there disparities of technology within schools but the level of technology literacy is insufficient. It is essential for the department of Education to create equality within education, as well as to aid in improving technological literacy among educators.

Technology has truly taken over the classroom many schools now have SMART Boards, Chromebook laptops, iPads and Teacher Websites to refer to. As of July 2017, there are 57 percent of teachers who often use interactive whiteboards for instruction. Mrs. A said almost every classroom has a SMART Board and desktop computer for teachers. The school is still in the process of updating SMART Boards to make sure they are using the most current technology. Starting this year, every grade has a form a personal technology that they can keep until they graduate Elementary School. Kindergarten through third grade get to keep an iPad and the fourth and fifth-grade students get their own chrome book. What I found fascinating is that the students get to keep these chrome books or iPads in their desk and are held accountable for it. Once they graduate Elementary School they will most likely receive another Chrome book or iPad to keep throughout middle school. To accommodate students who do not have technology at home, some students are able to take these chrome books home and complete on academic work.

Common criticism of the use of technology in education is that value is not added to the educational processes or outcomes. Many believe that technology represents an additional cost, extra time lost during teaching and may not properly address the many struggles to improve learning for students. Indeed, many find older versions of computers that have no source of power or the inability to provide basic functionality provides no use for the classroom and would rather teach traditionally. For example, Mike Trucano researched schools in Africa and recognized a school in Kenya who acknowledged they had one computer lab of which the computers laid unused because the school did not have any teachers or students who were trained well enough to use them. Indeed, many studies conclude that “simply putting computers into schools is not enough to impact student learning.”

On any given day, teens in the United States spend about nine hours using technology, according to a recent report (Common Sense Media). This nine hours is more time than teenagers spend sleeping, completing homework, or interacting with family. In recent years, constant access to the internet and social networking sites has created an addiction- a reliance that today’s youth can’t navigate around. Simultaneous with the greater presence of technology is greater success in the classroom. Over the past decade, the number of students who pass AP exams every year has quintupled (Forbes). But when it comes to basic skills such as holding a conversation, students are falling short. If the same amount of energy being put into teaching BC

On a daily basis, both businesses and individuals rely on technology. It cannot be denied that technology has become part of our everyday life. As individuals, we all depend on technology, either for education, health purposes, transportation, communication, romantic relationships, and/or business growth . It is impossible to explore how each advancement in technology has impacted our lives as well as how it will impact the future, but we can briefly explore the major advancements. Technology impacts the environment, people individually, and the society as a whole.

Over the past decade, technology has transformed society and has changed many aspects of daily living. Presently, the world consists of quickly advancing technology and people competing all around the world to be considered the best. Many educators argue that the only way to continue to have control within the classroom and to have students be successful within the classroom is to properly integrate technology into the classroom. Currently, the problem in the education system is that technology is often difficult to learn how to utilize and to properly implement. Using technology in the content areas for instruction can increase the teachability of and overall achievement for all types of student learners. The Center for Applied Research in Educational Technology (CARET) found that, when used in collaborative learning methods and leadership that is aimed at improving the school through technology planning, technology impacts achievement in content area learning, promotes higher-order thinking and problem solving skills, and prepares students for the workforce.

Over the past few years, education has grown rapidly with the implementation of new technologies, but this growth has been witnessed in both positive and negative ways. When one uses the term ‘technology’, a good number of people automatically think of computers. However, the use of technology in the education sector depends on how new inventions are incorporated into institutions of higher learning. Students are no longer required to use their brains; instead they are taught how to memorize things using alternate sources such as: computers and calculators (Duderstadt et.al 09).

Tap, tap, tap is going to be the new fad. Everywhere people go, they see technology being integrated into different buildings. From office buildings to fast food restaurants, computer screens and text are displayed everywhere. How come these places are combining technology with business? Well, schools are incorporating the same principles into their commonplaces. Classrooms, libraries, and hallways are all starting to light up with computer screens and tvs everywhere. Educational facilities are turning to use the internet to teach by utilizing online teaching methods, class communications, and the Google apps.

Fifty years ago writing required a strenuous amount of effort for the common man. A person would have to take a walk to the library, meticulously search through books for information and finally blow dust off of the good ol’ typewriter to start typing. Today, that same person can simply launch their computer to write an article without ever having to leave their seat. The positive uses of technology goes much deeper than just writing articles; technological growth allows for better education as well as being imperative for survival.

In today’s world, technology has rapidly impact and shape our society into an expanding digital environment in which new generations have been exposed to modern and advanced technologies. Under this circumstance, children of the twenty-first century perceive technology as part of their world and their daily lives, as well as a usual necessity of their surroundings. For instance, nowadays children start from a very early stage to utilize cell phones and tablets, play video games, and browse throughout the Cybernet; Besides, they are constantly involved with social media and new online trends. In addition, over the last century technology has not only increasingly influenced our communities, but also affect and challenge the educational system. In a publication of the National Education Association According to Stevens (2011) due to the new advances, “Students have changed, educators have changed, learning itself has changed. And learning tools have evolved accordingly” (para.1). Therefore, schools are now crowded with twenty-first-century learners, students that learn different than other generations, they love technology and they want it implemented in the classroom and their learning experience. They are eager to learn information with the tips of their hands using mobile devices, simulations, and networks. Consequently, teachers have now the responsibility to enhance their lessons and transform their teaching into a more interesting and digital based system. It is

Since the introduction of the first personal computer in the 1980’s, technology has become a big part in the way teachers interact with their classes. As the availability of new technologies become more rapidly available a teacher’s role in the classroom changes to a facilitator or moderator. More and more information is being put on line each day, student’s have access to a whole new source of information that was not available to students in previous times. With this being said, should technology be used in today’s classrooms?

“A growing number of schoolteachers are “exploring” the digital world, from the perspective of having recourse to the unlimited resources of the technologies that are capable to adapt to the need of innovation of teaching and learning processes inside the classroom and beyond it” (Csorba, 2016, p. 59). Teachers are now discovering and learning to integrate technology as a means of assistance to deliver curriculum to digital learners of today’s society. With technology progressing and the exposure to digital devices, it is significant that we utilize the available digital tools to connect our teaching to our students. Prior to taking this course, I did not know about the influential effect of using technology as a medium to deliver content in class. In elementary, I was not taught a curriculum by the help of digital technology; I thought it was normal to learn the traditional way without the use of technology. As I am on my journey of becoming a teacher, I realize how crucial digital technology in the classroom has become.

Amidst the past several decades technology has become a crucial organ, advancing our world to great discoveries and knowledge. It has opened doors to what some may have found impossible only one hundred years ago, but the progress of technology seems to have run into a road block. Inadequate education of high school graduates and suffocation of creativity has become a problem all over America. Technology has contributed by hindering our ability to retain information, stalling progression in our school system and progressing in technology.