Technology in Education

I think technology when used appropriately can be a very effective teaching tool in the classroom; a teaching tool that is almost becoming necessary. With all of the outside stimulation in the world today, if schools do not keep up with the times we will lose our ability to effectively educate our students! Yet, technology should be monitored in the classroom and students should not have free range use of it. Technology in the classroom should be structured and properly monitored to make sure students are using it appropriately and to best benefit them academically. 

I think the negative impact of technology does not directly stem from within the classroom. I think the “negative” impact comes from students’ access to technology outside of education. Video games to computer games to television for hours on end without exercise or other stimulation is the negative side of technology. Back in the day parents used to scold students for sitting inside all day and force them to get out and play. (Almond, 2013) In classroom I think with proper training and knowledge a teacher can eliminate any negative side effects of technology. It comes down to if the teacher can implement technology into the classroom in a monitored way that does not allow for students to get sidetracked while researching a topic. If a teacher is trained adequately technology assignments can work beautifully. The school board also plays a role in this by selecting technology appropriate games and programs for students to use in the classroom, and by blocking the distracting non-educational sites from student use.  If teachers follow certain guidelines such as the SEARCH method (Johnson, 2009) they can ensure learning is happening when technology is being used. 

As a special education major I greatly see the positive impacts of technology with students on a daily basis. Technology allows traditional methods of teaching to be changed in a way that allows students to receive information with different stimulation. “Imagine a book where you could change the color or size of the type or have the option to listen to the book instead of reading it.” (Johnson, 2009) I feel this quote from the text gives a great summary of the positive sides of technology. Technology can provide stimulate in various forms for students. It can take a plain book, or lecture, or story and give it life! Also technology can put thousands of resources, books, and ideas into one small area. For example online books! (Johnson, 2009) Online books are available at no limits end, it stops the problem of students not being able to get a hold of a book to read it or use it.  

Bibliography

Almond, S. (2013, June 21). My Kids Are Obsessed With Technology, and It’s All My Fault. Retrieved from The New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/23/magazine/my-kids-are-obsessed-with-technology-and-its-all-my-fault.html?pagewanted=all&_r=1&

Johnson, D. (2009). The Joy of Children's Literaute Second Edition. Belmont: Wadsworth.