Technology in the classroom

Using technology in the classroom is one of those issues that makes it easy to be a fence
sitter. Its difficult to be 100% for the use of educational technology all of the time, when
there are so many convincing arguments against it. Most teachers find a happy medium
with technologyits useful in some situations, but a distraction in others.
This great article on Huffington post offers an example of a kindergarten classroom
where young learners use technology naturally and in authentic ways. The article also goes
on to discuss the problems many pediatricians have with technology use by young children,
such as excessive screen time, which can lead to poor sleep habits. In addition, doctors
worry that children who use devices at a very young age become more focused on learning
to select and swipe than on developmental processes, like handwriting and shoe-tying.
Technology gives children the ability to learn in ways their parents and grandparents
never had. Todays learners have immediate access to answers and research. Yet, that
immediate access is changing the way students think about work and how they feel
emotionally. Weve put together a list of some the pros and cons that surround the
technology in the classroom debate.
Pros of Technology in the Classroom
Data and analytic reporting: Apps and platforms offer teachers ways to combine all the
information they might need to know about a studenttitle I status, attendance history,
performance on quizzes, English language proficiency, participation in special education.
With this information, teachers can easily see how their students are preforming as a whole
class, as a subgroup, and as individuals, and can provide intervention as needed. Most
edtech apps include easy to use reporting features, so that assessment data can also be
shared with administrators and parents.
Just in time information: This article from Computerworld explains how just in time
learning is helping cooperate workers learn what they need to in order to solve immediate
problems, rather than siting through entire classes full of information they may not ever
use. The same goes for classroom learning. Edtech is allowing teachers to see where
students may be missing particular pieces of understanding and to then target lessons just
for that knowledge. Instead of sitting through hour-long lectures of material theyve mostly
mastered, technology is allowing students to learn what they need, when then need it.
Differentiated instruction: Educational apps allow for students to progress at their own
pace. Many are adaptive, meaning that questions and problems will get easier or more
difficulty, depending on student performance. Programs can adjust to meet students at
their precise learning levels. In addition, the multitude of apps and software available
means that students in the same classroom might be using different systems to learn
similar material, depending on their interests and learning.
Different learning modalities: Incorporating technology into the classroom means that
students have exposure and access to different ways of learning. Maybe some students do
thrive in a lecture environment; others might be great independent learners, who can
gather information from educational software. Giving students the choice of different ways
to learn means theyll likely explore and try different techniques, and in the end, learn the
best strategies for themselves as individual learners.
 Assistive tech for special needs: Weve covered apps specially designed for special
education teachers and students in the past. Educational technology makes it possible for
students with special needs to thrive in academic settings. From adaptive word processor
apps to programs that speak for children who struggle with language, technology allows
students to communicate and be involved with their teachers and classmates.
Cons of Technology in the Classroom
Would you say we are using too much of a good thing ?

Replacing teachers: Many tech enthusiasts roll their eyes when people voice their
concerns that educational technology is a way to replace teachers in the future. But do their
concerns lack validity? You dont have to look too far in the past to find instances of
technology replacing workers: the auto industry, agriculture, and manufacturing industries
have all mechanized many parts of their process, laying off workers in the process. While
few people think that teachers will become obsolete, the newest advances in edtech are
powerful enough to deliver content, assesses, and set students on a new course of learning,
all without teacher intervention. What does that mean for the future of teaching?
Distracting: This is probably the number one worry of teachers who consider
implementing classroom technology: the concern that students will be too busy tweeting
and Snapchatting to pay attention to the lesson. Students innate curiosity, coupled with
their tech savvy could lead to more online socializing in environments where devices are
easily accessible.
Easier to access others work: Plagiarism has been plaguing teachers forever. Students
today can easily access essays, reports, class notes, tests, etc. online, making it that much
more difficult for teachers to know if the work their students hand in is original. Though
there are tech tools to help teachers discover if the work is plagiarized, no system is
perfect.
Disparity of access outside of class: Not all of our students have access to technology
tools outside of the classroom. Yes, the library is an option, but there is often a wait for
computers connected to the Internet, and even then, you cant download apps and software
onto public computers. Assigning technology use in the classroom is fine if all students
have access to the device. But when edtech programs are considered for homework, at
home intervention, or even flipped learning, student access to the Internet must be
considered.
Privacy: Privacy of student information and data is enough of an issue to keep many
teachers and schools away from implementing any sort of broad reaching tech initiatives.
Apps and platforms have come a long way in improving their privacy measures, especially
where students are involved, but is it enough to convince schools that its worth the
potential risk? Student data is invaluable within the classroom walls, but can teachers feel
safe that that is where the information will stay when they use edtech apps?

We shouldnt using too much technology in classroom

Using too much technology

Technology can be used for many uses but it also has it's downsides.
1- all the technology in the school are all connected so if 1 gets a virus, then all the others
would get it too.
2- Bad for you eyesight. Constantly looking at a bright screen would cause the need of
glasses for many students.
3- Students can get of topic and start doing things that are completely off the teacher's
teaching point.
4- Get's addicting. When you think technology is all you need, think again. If you get too
obsessed with technology you might start to forget how to use actual things like books and
toys.
Too much technology is a detriment.

While technology is a boon to modern society, it has certainly taken over people's lives.
Schoolchildren who use tablets and computers for every aspect of their days are almost
incapable of hand-writing legibly. Will children be able to write their own signature in ten
years? As well as reducing the pen-and-paper skills of people in general, technology has a
definite impact on a child's ability to interact face-to-face.

Kids just need to learn.

Kids spend time on devices outside of school. In fact, they are on devices far too much of
the time. People should allow the kids to have a break while they are at school and just do
some good old fashioned learning instead. Math is still math, without a computer. The kids
should just focus on learning.

We Should use technology as well

Technology is the future.....

In this advance world where technology is moving very fast and we always need to keep
up with it . So making students used to technology at an early stage would help them
understood difficult concept which were otherwise difficult for them to understand at an
early stage from books and for the teachers to make them understood
Technology in the Classroom is Still Very Beneficial

At this point in time, the presence of technology in the classroom has not reached the
level where it should be considered "too much of a bad thing". Because of the presence of
technology (computers, mobile phones, etc) in the workplace, it should be utilized by
teachers and students in the classroom to best prepare students for transitioning to college
and the job markets. Furthermore, it makes many things easier and more efficient for
students, such as research and group projects.
No such thing as too much of a good thing

Technology is what keeps us moving forward in the world. Technology is the basis for
nearly everything anymore, and is prevalent in nearly all industries, from agriculture to
medicine. Teaching kids how to work with technology to make things easier and more
efficient is the right way to go, and teaching them young gives them a jump start.
For the 45 states who opted into Common Core, using technology in the classroom is no longer a
choice -- it's required. Common Core's Standards insist that for any student to be prepared for
college and career requires they be digitally and technologically savvy.

From the English Language Arts Standards: Technology differentiates for student learning styles
by providing an alternative method of achieving conceptual understanding, procedural skill and
fluency, and applying this knowledge to authentic circumstances.

From the Math Standards: Mathematically proficient students consider the available tools when
solving a mathematical problem. These tools might include pencil and paper, concrete models, a
ruler, a protractor, a calculator, a spreadsheet, a computer algebra system, a statistical package, or
dynamic geometry software. Proficient students are sufficiently familiar with tools appropriate for
their grade or course to make sound decisions about when each of these tools might be helpful.

The standards themselves go into detail. Sprinkled throughout are constant allusions to the
importance of using technology, its fundamental nature as the bedrock of education, and the
necessity to weave it throughout the academic fabric, regardless the topic, skill or requirement.

Here are 13 reasons why this is a good idea. The first seven are directly from the Standards, the last
six from my classroom experience.

1. Technology allows students to demonstrate independence. Tech makes it easy to provide

options for accomplishing goals. Consider a book report delivered with Voki, Prezi, Glogster or a
video. Students make a decision as to which approach is best suited to their communication and
learning style.

2. Technology enables students to build strong content knowledge wherever they find it. It's
easy for students to pursue anything they're curious about with technology. Make available online
dictionaries to quickly look up unknown words. Teach students the tricks of quick and accurate
online research. Follow the lead of hundreds of schools nationwide that have added the Genius
Hour to their curriculum, where students follow school academic guidelines 80 percent of the time
and get to follow their own passion for the remaining 20 percent.

3. Technology responds to the varying demands of audience, task, purpose,

discipline. Decode this critical concept early in the education year. Explain why audiences are
different -- as is task, purpose and discipline -- and how communication methods need to adapt to
those variances to succeed. Then, let students pick what works, be it audio, visual, textual,
color/movement, or a polyglot of their own making.

4. Technology values evidence. With technology, students can click through to primary documents
for evidence in support of their argument and push back if they dont find those connections. Is the
information believable if they can't evaluate source material? What if it was misinterpreted? Teaching
students to read closely, think critically, and dig deeper is easier with technology.

5. Technology understands other perspectives. Sure, this can be done through conversation and
class presentations, but doing it through blogging, comments, discussion boards (technology) is
bigger. Plus, as students share their perspective, they can edit and rewrite to be sure the words fully
reflect their ideas.

6. Technology differentiates for needs of students. Nothing does this better than technology. The
creative student can use art and music. Those who love words can write. Visual learners can use a
combination of color, images and personal drawings.
7. Technology deepens learning by using resources students are interested in. If we do our job
well, students are inspired to learn more. They are eager to dig deeper into what has sparked their
scholastic interest. If that means getting a ride to the library, going to the bookstore for a book,
arranging tutoring time with a knowledgeable teacher, they may never get to it. If resources are only
a click away, the chances of the tasks completion increase and the activity itself may even
become fun. Share these enrichment materials through Google Apps for Education, post links
through a class Internet page or Diigo account, and create a playlist through programs like
MentorMob.

8. Common Core expects students to be active learners, authors, not just consumers. Technology
makes that happen by asking them to publish, share, collaborate.

9. Students want to use technology. When students use iPads, Chromebooks, laptops, widgets,
online tools and a plethora of other digital devices, technology provides a path to learning that
students are eager to follow. Why ask them to unplug at the schoolhouse door?

10. Technology is its own assessment tool. To paraphrase James Paul Gee, a professor of
literacy studies at Arizona State University: "When students use simulations, games, videos to learn,
they have to problem-solve, critically think, transfer knowledge from other learning experiences."
Thats a good thing.

11. Learning with technology is connected. In a connected, technology-rich environment,

students engage with peers, celebrities, relatives and experts worldwide. They like to do that. Why
do you think social media is so viral?

12. Technology gives students an equal voice. Student value is in what they produce, not based
on age or grade level. Their voices are important; they are listened to. If they publish an ebook, it is
judged on the quality of writing, not their age. Where else can this happen?

13. Consider a video. For teaching, that is. Students can pause it, rewind, learn at their own pace.
Thats technology.

Use these 13 reasons to offset the three most popular excuses for not using technology:

1. It doesnt fit into my program.

2. Im already juggling too much.

3. I dont have time to learn it or use it.

Sheryl Nussbaum-Beach once said, "Teachers will not be replaced by technology, but teachers who
don't use technology will be replaced by those who do." Amen.