The Importance Of Technology In Education

In this day and age, it appears students and technology go hand in hand. Despite being a controversial conversation, teachers and other andminstators are searching tonintergrate computers and othe technological devices into schools. Nevertheless, in order to efficently develop students into successful thinkers, technology will only be practical if used to enhance learning, not control leaning.

Modern technology has penetrated every aspect of our lives and made great impacts on our daily activities, especially in the area of education. The continuous infusion of technology in education has become an unchangeable tendency. Given the increased use of technology in education, much research has been done on the value of technology in education. However, none of the studies have answered all of the questions that are essential to determining whether continuous infusion of new technologies in education can improve the quality of education. Since a clear answer to this question is vital to help educational organizations to make decisions on how much

Even though many education systems are embracing the face of technology, some schools are still attempting to hold on to traditional teaching styles. In a 2012 New York Times article, teachers reported a decline in written work, and shorter attention spans which they believe is the result of all of the technological distractions (Richtel). This is just an example of the many concerns coming from teachers and school boards. Another issue they find is that they are being pressed to integrate these new advances into their time tested lesson plans, ultimately taking away from teaching and the student learning. If teachers believe or see that the students are the ones suffering from that, they are going to be less willing to try and understand the concept of technologies role in education. Although these educators have respected opinions, the goal should more so be to

Technology is not only growing in the classroom, but increasingly so in our culture today. Part of a school’s responsibilities is to prepare its students for the ‘real world’ or life after education. Implementing more technology into a school would not only be making class potentially easier for its students but keeping them up

Technology has had and will continue to have, the ability to transform society and necessity to incorporate into education to, as Bruce, 1998 simply states it, “…learn technology, learn through technology, and learn from technology.” (p. 22) Teachers, not computer technologies themselves, need to take ownership of the responsibility ensuring students learn well with any given technology. Teachers and school leadership must be willing to use the available tools appropriately, integrate into the development of lesson plans and implement in the classroom for it to be successful to support the education of students. As technology advances forward at a relentless pace,

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).

Did the thought ever occur about how much technology is used in the classroom? Children today rarely use books, from kindergarten all the way to being a senior in high school. Although it is hard fought by old-school teachers, technology is far more helpful than a simple book. Teachers use every weapon in their arsenal to educate, and the internet proves to be the strongest. The internet can be used in the wrong way, like any other beneficial thing. However, when it is used correctly the internet is a powerful instrument. With more advances in technology, there becomes better education. In a world that is changing everyday, the future of education lies within our ability to change our technology to better benefit the ever-changing educational standards.

When learning arithmetic, students were constantly told that they could not rely too heavily on calculators, as they would not always have one on hand in the future. Today that statement couldn’t be further from the truth. The widespread prevalence of portable electronic devices has allowed literally everyone to carry a calculator wherever they go. While technology has been rapidly changing and evolving in the past few decades, the school systems has almost stagnated and has shown nearly no change within 150 years. Based on a variety of expert anecdotal accounts, when students are asked what they think the purpose of the school system is for, most of them will reply that it’s either to prepare them for higher learning (university or college) and/or to prepare them for the workplace. However, much of the knowledge currently taught is becoming increasingly outdated. As schools are straying increasingly further from their intended purpose, changes ought to be made. This problem would be easily solved if technology is integrated into the teaching system. Moreover, by enhancing the learning environment with technology, students will be able to instantly access innumerable websites’ worth of information, use computers to lessen their workload, and gain the necessary skills to achieve success in their future work endeavors.

Supporters of technological advancements and advocates of expanding the use of technology would have us believe that the continual expansion of technology and support of its usage in school systems is a clear betterment of humanity. They explain its effectiveness and ability to level the playing field for millions of civilians. However, these advocates fail to acknowledge the obvious downfalls and stagnation, or even reversion of societal advancements. Technology diminishes skills, encourages the demotivation of children, and steals away precious time. What is often viewed narrow mindedly as an obvious good that solely progresses nations is concurrently becoming an inhibitor and its implementation in educational curriculum should be viewed with a wary eye.

I am currently registered with the Queensland College of Teachers, and have been since I graduated my Bachelor of Education in 2011. Since then, I have taught in both my subject areas, English and Computing, and completed a Master's degree to further my knowledge in Information and Communication Technologies, an area I am very passionate about. Throughout my university studies, I have shown keen interest for technology in education (especially appropriating non-education technology for education purposes and 1:1 learning). I have a strong belief that technology can benefit education, given that it is carefully chosen to suit the context; one size does not fit all, one app does not fit all. In the past year at Saint Stephen's College, I have demonstrated that I am capable of teaching in a technical area (Technology) and it is a teaching area I quite enjoy.

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

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.

In a world where technology consumes a great deal of what we do and how we do it, it makes sense that teachers should evaluate what role this tool should have in the classroom. What can be used as a very useful and beneficial tool to students can often become a hindrance to learning if not used properly. When done correctly, technology opens up a whole new world of resources for students in the classroom. For example, I have seen teachers use technology in their classrooms to do virtual field trips, interactive web quests, as well as math/reading games on the computer to supplement classroom material. Technology can also be used for instructing students as a provider of scaffolds for struggling students. Some students that do not focus well during direct instruction from the teacher can use technology (such as a computer) to do interactive activities that cover the same material as the lecture, only using a more stimulating medium. This concept is also true when it comes to supplementary work for advanced learners. Often students who are advanced finish projects and assignment early, leaving them with nothing to do but distract their fellow students. However, if the student is permitted to use technology (such as a computer) to do some supplementary academic work through a web quest, or educational games. Like Aziz states in his article, I agree that technology is a help to students, when implemented correctly. When implemented incorrectly, we see things such as teacher laziness, student laziness, low test scores, as well as apathy from teachers, as they expect technology to do the job of teaching for them, which is NOT its purpose. Overuse of technology in education runs the risk of "dumbing down" students (Berry and Postman) through over stimulation as opposed to actual productive instruction. ere, I will discuss my personal philosophy technology and look into its role in the teaching and learning process as well as to what extent it is used in my classroom.

As technology becomes ever ingrained in the field of education it polarizes educators on either side, either with technology being an atrophy to the critical thinking and reading skills of students or the only real way they can learn in a modern classroom. But who is right? Is technology a cancer to modern education, something that needs to be cut out before it spreads? Or is it a cure-all for poor school systems that completely levels the field? It is neither and it is both, technology is a mighty force in building multi-tasking skills and preparing students for their futures in the tech-dominated world. However, overexposure to this fantastical medium also hurts the students just as much, gutting their development of imagination, analyzation skills, and critical thinking. The over-saturation of technology in education has become a detriment to learning, making worse students and teachers, while at the same time harming certain comprehension abilities in students.

For thousands of years humans have walked the earth without the constant aid of a cell phone, nowadays it seems that people couldn't last a day without them. As technology has made its way into our schools, offices and households, it has also made its way into our brains. Every day our brains are trained to seek speed and efficiency in all aspects of life, and technology is providing it the means to do so(Nicholas Carr). One of the most incredible tools that technology provides is access to immense amounts of information at a moment's notice, which is why technology has quickly been accepted as a tool for academic use. The only problem is, not everyone is using it as they are expected. Because of the versatility of technological devices and the services it offers, it can both be the greatest tool, and the greatest distraction.