Use of Technology in the Classroom: Potentials and Pitfalls Essay

The use of technology in the classroom is an important tool to utilize as an educator. Technology allows for educators to have instant access to a plethora of resources that would not be available if technology was not used in the classroom. Teachers have the ability to plan lessons, create presentations, and have interactive games for students to use as a learning tool through the use of different digital devices. Modern day technology is rapidly advancing and providing teacher with many different tools to use in the classroom to enhance the students learning experience.

Teachers can use technology within the classroom to assist with providing instructional guidance and education to students. However, the use of technology in the classroom has both its advantages and

Technology in the classroom is important for teachers, parents, and students alike, because technology use has become a necessary skill for survival in today’s vastly expanding technology driven global economy. Research has shown an increase in student’s success rates when exposed to technology in the classroom. Also technology has opened lines of communication between educators and parents to keep students on track, and help teachers educate better.

As we progress further into the 21st century, our society is quickly becoming more and more integrated to technology. The creations of new laptops and tablets, and the easy access to new and improved phones have driven younger generations to recruit to these advances as well. The quick and widespread implementation of these technological advances has shaped the new way we conduct our daily lives, as well as how knowledge is processed and taught in our classrooms. Today's technology provides teachers, as well as students, with opportunities for teaching and learning that were impossible in the past. Technology is being used as a tool to promote human learning, not just calculators, but including Smart Boards, tablets (iPads), video

Students throughout the 21st century can, without doubt, say that technology has been a part of their learning environment for a very long time. Which of course is true being that technology started to be placed throughout schools across the nation for the past 20-30 years. As students in the modern era, we have been taught through the use of technology, making educational goals attainable through various technology models. This includes computers, iPads, smart boards, projectors and even simple paper and pencils.

With the rapid rise of technological developments and advancements, it brings to question does the use of this technology help with learning in the classroom? This simple question moves past simple yes or no and, if used, should constantly be monitored to ensure the technology is relevant, meeting students’ needs as well as teacher’s objectives. In order to provide the best experience in the classroom today’s teacher must be aware of and incorporate technology into their personal educational philosophies and pedagogy. A fact which seems so simple yet has been difficult at best as many established teachers evolve their pedagogy at the speed of glacier melting. Technology itself has great bearing on today’s society and relationships

Using technology in the classroom gives students a much greater advantage in whatever job or lifestyle they decide to pursue after their academic careers. Technology has become so much apart of our daily lives, and routines that we cannot expect the younger generation to be able to keep up unless they are equipped with the tools that are necessary. Some people might argue that inundating kids with too much technology can be harmful. Another argument against technology is that it is putting kids out of touch with reality, and causes damage to the social aspect of child education. However, using technology in the classroom helps children learn, and grow in a way that follows the direction the world is taking. Technology should be used more in classrooms, as it gives students an expanded view of the world beyond the four walls of their classroom, we need more and better technology in our schools to ensure the success of the students today.

As our world becomes increasingly globalized and reliant on new and innovative technologies, it is no wonder that technology is making its way into classrooms both across the nation and the world. When I was secondary school, we used technology every so often to complete various assignments, with many of my classes often taking a trip to the computer labs in my school. However, much of our everyday class work was still done the “traditional” way—that is, using a pen and paper—and once again the use of technology when I was in school was essentially reserved for assignments such as papers or projects. This is why, when I entered my corresponding school for the first time, I was rather taken aback by how much the use of technology has increased. Despite graduating a few years ago, the dynamics of some schools and classrooms around the world have drastically changed within the past few years, for there has been a huge technology initiative that many schools are attempting to embrace. In most cases, this push to incorporate devices such as iPads and laptops in every single course every single day, and students often receive school-issued devices to use both in the classroom and at home to complete their schoolwork.

ISSUE: Although there has been a strong push to get educational technology into the hands of teachers and students, many obstacles to implementation still exist. Equipment may not be placed in easily accessible locations. Hardware and software often pose problems for teachers in the classroom, and just-in-time technical support may be unavailable. Teachers may lack the time and the motivation to learn technology skills. Professional development activities may not provide ongoing, hands-on training for

Upon entering a classroom in the United States the room is typically full of desks and chairs in symmetrical rows, the teacher’s desk is stacked with resources, and a considerable amount of textbooks, papers, and posters are located around the room. Among these objects there may be one or two computers, in some instances smartboards, but overall the influence of technology in the classroom is limited. This scene is practically identical to every other classroom across the country. Although society has evolved to embrace technology, the American classroom has had little alteration to its scenery and little acceptance of technology in educating students. In contrast to the past, the classroom and the educational techniques used in the twenty-first century have evolved. Throughout the evolution of schooling, the introduction and the use of computers has altered the American classroom and education positively.

Is technology use in the classroom beneficial or harmful to a student’s ability to learn and prepare for the future? Many, if not all, high schools have converted to the use of technology as the focus of teaching and learning. Although technology can be very beneficial for teaching and learning in the classroom, there are several weaknesses of technology use that must be addressed. Before schools encompass technology into their curriculum, administration should evaluate the way the internet processes information, overwhelms students with information, and hinders their ability to write and create.

Having technology in a classroom helps students and teachers become more successful. “Technology is quickly emerging as a catalyst for changing the ways in which we think, gather information, and especially the ways in which we are educated.”(Garner). This will allow teachers and students become successful inside and out a classroom. Online classes are becoming

The use of technology is particularly popular in almost every school in the United States. A common issue found in the education system nowadays is how much technology students use for their schoolwork. Millions of students use electronic components such as the computer, tablet, and phones to complete their assignments and communicate with other students about school projects and such. There are many pros and cons to this issue but there are mostly negative effects to it. In the education system, the use of technology should be limited for the students because it will decrease the dependency individuals have of the internet to help with their work, there will be an increase in their social skills, and students will not be lazy with everything they do.

There is a growing trend in the use of technology in the classroom. As a teacher, I am always looking for ways to use manipulatives in my lessons to increase meaning and authenticity for students. I would love to keep my students engaged, motivated and interactive in the classroom and still be able to get through the content each day. In order to achieve this, I need to have an arsenal of tools to draw from. That is why I agree with (Tataroglu & Erduran, 2010) as stated in the International Electronic Journal of Elementary Education (IEJEE) that “The use of technologies like IWBs in the classroom can provide teachers and students convenience and variety. “

Education is one of the most important professions in the working world. Technology has done many things for us in today’s society especially for education and schools. Technology in the school system has impacted the students and teachers in many positive ways, including virtual field trips, testing tips, teacher resources, class web sites, and lesson plans. With computer use in our schools, we have access to many different sources and various types of learning.