The Importance Of Technology In Education

When implemented technology properly, the tech can produce substantial gains in student achievement and increase engagement among students most at risk. Replacing teachers with technology is not a successful formula. Instead, strong gains in achievement occur by pairing technology with classroom teachers who provide real-time support and encouragement to underserved students. Technology has made a positive difference in the learning outcomes of students at risk of failing courses and dropping out.

Technology has conquered our day-to-day lifestyles. Yes, this includes the “awful” gadgets from smartphones, applications, and any recent advances in technology. Young people hear all the time how bad technology is for us. These “bad” gadgets have actually benefitted our everyday lives. Being truly educated means to be opened mined and developing knowledge and or skills, in comparison to being trained for a job can mean working as a “machine”. Computers can be used to expand understanding in education. Technology helps people to become truly educated in all aspects of life.

Technology prepares students for their careers. First, it links to the need for technologically literate workers. Schools are teaching students to operate technology for their careers. For example, schools are adopting important technical roles that helps students use computer systems and in turn create more jobs for the United Kingdom (“We Need More Digital”). In classrooms, students learn the basic features on the computer, like word processor, that will enhance their technological skills needed for their jobs. Additionally, Gartner Incorporation, a technology company, states the importance of robotic classes. These classes “need students who can come up with powerful and smarter robotic software that can perform new functions” (qtd in Marshall). Both the robotic aspect and the problem solving makes them more tech literate. Next, technology teaches students to adapt to new environments. Schools provided training centers to help students adapt to new resources. For instance, Morales, a professor in education, emphasized about how The Academic Students Development Program offered informational advice to guide students on how to use technology. Training centers mentor students to use technology, be independent, and cooperate with learning techniques (Morales and Roig 69). Preparation centers show children how to transition from the traditional learning to computerized work for multiple school and job settings. Also, Dell introduced multiple displays for classroom

Technology in the classroom used to be very uncommon, but now more and more classrooms are becoming technology based. Technology has allowed children to learn in ways that never before would have been possible. For education in history, they can figuratively go back in time. For science, they can view accurate 3D representations of an atom. It also keeps them more focused and involved in their learning. Technology in the classroom allows children to learn quicker and more effectively. This paper will support the benefits of technology in the classroom, as well as show the downfalls of technology and why they are inconsequential. Will your classroom make the switch to technology?

Many are misled regarding technology in schools because they fail to realize the difference between technology usage and technology integration. Technology usage focuses on the physical device, delivering information, and majority conduct comes from the teacher; whereas, technology integration supports the physical device to promote learning objectives, constructs knowledge, and allows students to operate it themselves (Harris 7). This is what separates technology efficient schools from the rest, technology is not their goal, education is (Levin and Schrum 51-53). Instead of taking a “one size fits all approach”, schools are able to succeed because they make learning relevant, provide opportunities, and promote important skills by integrating technology with curriculum. After using that method, and providing a laptop for every student in the school district, Mooresville, North Carolina dramatically improved high school standardized test proficiency from 68% to 88.5% (Levin and Schrum 51-53). However, Robert Kozma argues, ‘“What are the actual and potential relationships between media and learning?”’ (qtd. in Harris 2). Other critics have also stated concerns that technology does not influence achievement, teachers need training to effectively administer usage, and making sure every student has access. On the other hand, proponents of classroom technology say it allows creativity and is better fit for today’s society. Public schools across the United States, from low to high

How important is technology in this day and age? I am sure we all agree that technology is one of the most important resources in this day and age. Now, how many people actually took more than just a basic typing class in K-8th grade? Or maybe even up to 12th grade. If you went to school more than 10 years ago, I am sure that all you were able to take was a basic typing class. So my question to you is, why is it so hard to implement technology into the school system? Teachers not willing to be trained? Parents thinking technology will be a distraction? Governments not willing to do away with standardized tests? Everyone pretty much uses mobile phones, tablets, and laptops on a daily basis. As digital natives, today’s students have grown up with technology integrated into every aspect of their lives. Education cannot be an exception. Yet, we are trying to fit 21st century students, into a 19th century system. We need to implement the effective use of technology into all of our education systems. I know this is not something that can be changed overnight. However, if we can get the educators, parents, and the government all to agree, then the effective use of technology should, and will be implemented in our school systems.

We’re living in a country that is called a technologically civilized society. The use of the internet has not changed the way that we think. However, it is making unique contributions in classrooms by providing us with immediate and convenient access to an extraordinary amount of ideas and information. “In the world that we currently live in, technology is a very vital factor”. Today most people are more familiar with the technically advanced gadget that they carry in their backpack, or their pocket. Every other day a new software device is being brought into the marketplace, which helps improve our knowledge in and out of school. One of the advantages that the internet provides students with, is being able to access all sorts of books that are available at any time. Despite the fact that technology plays a positive role in making our school lives much easier, it also has a negative effect. The internet seems to be impairing our ability to focus and to think deeply on any subject. The more technology continues to grow, the more improvement it provides in an education level for certain students; while for others it has a very different effect in the way we read and take in information. In this paper, I will be discussing both pros and cons of the way technology is used in and out of our schools today.

In the last several years, college, administrators, faculty, and staff have observed the growing number of adult students enrolling in classes. Since these nontraditional students have recently come back, they are struggling more with technology-dominant classrooms compared to their traditional counterparts. These institutions have initiated methods to work with this problem, such as implementing beginner computer courses and encouraging them to be proactive in practicing their new found skills. Contemporary education research has observed numerous obstacles that adult student encounter returning to school. There is a learning gap that educators must close between traditional and adult students. While adult students bring valuable life experience and practical skills, they lack a background in modern programs and navigating access to technology tools. Working together hand-in-hand adult students and instructions through training in technology and time management, adult students will have a better outlook on achieving their goals and dreams.

The learning place has been invaded by the ability to know anything and everything. While this picture shows promise, it is actually more complex and distorted with regards to the receivers; these would be the students of today. What makes us capable of distributing the infinite amount of information that can be labeled “anything and everything” is truly remarkable, and that is precisely what technology has allowed us to do. Being that, it is safe to say that technology has expanded to heights worth exploring, and while this brings good resources to the pupils of today, it is the way students will explore and discover through the internet that should be taken into consideration by their teachers before introducing it to the curriculum.

The Impact Principle states effective practice yields evidence of learning. The look on each student’s face will provide evidence as to whether or not they are learning. An educator should assess the faces and student work samples to check for learning. If learning is not present, the educator should accept responsibility for not being impactful, and begin implementing a more effective practice so that the students demonstrate new knowledge. I have discovered this first hand in my practicum placement. I taught a lesson, and as a whole class my students understood the content. However, when I was reviewing their individual work, it was obvious that the students missed the point of the lesson. Therefore, I took responsibly for not teaching the objective in an effective way, and I retaught it in a more relevant manner. Then, my students were successful on the next sample of student work. Due to all of the factors in students’ lives that can hold their interest, an educator must gain and maintain their interest to be impactful. It is then the child will learn. If the educator’s delivery of the content is effective and impactful, evidence will be produced.

As a teacher, we must learn how to achieve academic success in the classroom and with our students. The educator philosophers Borich and Wong have different points of view of how learning should be taught. Borich focuses on how technology integrates in the classroom, also on how questioning strategies help with targeting inquiry, and how teacher directed strategies help improve learners to actively respond. On the other hand, Wong focuses on everything you need to prepare for when you as the teacher have your own classroom such as: having a well-managed classroom, how to introduce yourself to your class, seating arrangements, grading systems, discipline plans, and how to achieve opportunities to learn. Consequently, the teacher should be able to balance the way the classroom acts expressively, and the same time encourage them to be culturally responsive to learning.

A child’s mind is always growing, with the advancement of technology, it will raise to new heights. Finding the most efficient way to teach and learn, has been an ongoing debate since the beginning of education. Since then, education has gone a long way. Students have gone from learning on chalkboards and memorizing all the information they learned, to having individual computers where they have access to tools to write, learn and communicate. But with all these new tools, many essential skills may be lost. Being reliant on online communication means that real face to face interactions will be gone. Children will not learn the valuable social skill that they will need when they grow up. Although this may be true, incorporating more technology into learning can lead to a more efficient and passionate education. Environmental technology will hugely enhance future technology.

Technology connects students to the world. Educators must use this as a teaching tool to influence thinking, learning, and achievement. According to Holzemer (1998), “the integration of multimedia into the curriculum has helped teachers create student-centered learning environments that encourage students to take responsibility for their learning” (p. 1). The students will receive the opportunities to think critically, provide substance to their activities, learn with their peers and the teacher, and adapt to a continuous learning experience. During multimedia projects, students must learn and apply the appropriate way to present the material. This can be accomplished through photography, videography, a multimedia presentation, and so much more. The more confident a student becomes, the possibilities will be endless. “Putting together a multimedia presentation is a lot of work”, but using an innovative and creative solution will foster creative thinking (Holzemer, 1998, p. 1). Multimedia allows students to work in groups much more effectively. The teacher can set goals, mentor the group and individual students, and keep their projects on task. If the students choose to use PowerPoint or GoogleDocs, for example, “students teach each other the details of the multimedia authoring program being used” (Holzemer, 1998, p. 1). Many students are already familiar with the programs, and occasionally know or can learn the program quicker than the teacher. Many teachers admit, “students

Technology is quickly developing as a method of communication and information for people everywhere. As technology becomes a part of education, it captures the attention of students in a special way of its own. Although technology is fairly new, technology draws the attention of students because it is interactive and offers many different methods of learning and information for students.

Despite its importance, writing is not given enough attention in schools compare to reading. Since the turn of the 21st century, “there have been a number of significant changes in the contexts in which we teach and in which our students learn to write”. Our culture has taken a digital shift in all aspects of life, including schooling and the way students are exposed to writing curriculum. Robinson, McKenna and Conradi state that “The context of schooling has also changed, with programs and practices affected most directly by an emphasis on standards and assessments as a part of a growing concern with accountability. Given a focus on reading, rather than writing or literacy more generally…this movement has had an impact on teaching and learning at all levels of public education” (Robinson, McKenna & Conradi, 2012, p. 243).