Technology In the Classroom
Technology has become more prevalent in everyday life. This can be seen in schools across America. Many people have debated whether technology is a helpful or hindering to early adolescences, especially when it comes to education. Some argue as use of technology increases in adolescences text talk and social media cause a decrease in literacy. When looking at recent studies many show the opposite. Technology can increase educational skills in early adolescence and can be a helpful tool for struggling learners.
As teachers use smart boards, apps, google classroom, and other technology many can see it can provide support and structure to the classroom. The ability to have the students work at their finger tips. This reduces paperwork and lets the students get their work back at a faster rate. Being able to review their work helps them find out the places they need improvement. The structure is also helpful for students to succeed academically. According to Communication Studies (3)one in five students have used a app to keep course work organized. This organization tool is extremely helpful for unorganized students. It helps students keep track of assignments and makes it easier for them to remember what still needs to be turned in.
Having technology in the classroom also helps students with different learning styles and abilities to understand the material better than with just original text. Nick Sousanis states in his book Unflattening (4), “…see what possibilities emerge when we author paths as uniquely our own as our feet themselves,” Here he is saying that everyone is different and that there are limitless possibilities to education when we tailor education to ourselves, not the other way around. Technology allows many different mediums to be used, helping students find what is best for them. Videos, interactive games, and audio text are a just a few of the possibilities to reach students. According to adlit (1) literacy software with text-to-speech and study skill features can help people to be active readers. It has been shown to help students learn study skills and literacy skills with virtual post-it notes, bookmarking, highlighting, and color coding.
Motivation is also large factor to using technology in the classroom. Interests and motivation are absolutely key to learning and being successful. With most early adolescents having smart phones, tablets, and other devices at their disposal the best way to see what they like is to observe what they are using. Watching what they do and the technology they use will show ways that these interests can be used in the educational setting. For example, if many of the students are interested in a new game you can relate the curriculum to it. This has been shown to promote students to engage in the classroom.
Although there are always pros and cons, the use of technology in the classroom has been shown to improve a students ability to learn. With the combination of face to face interaction and the support of technology early adolescents are having the opportunity to receive an amazing education.
Sources
2. https://blog.kurzweiledu.com/2015/02/12/5-positive-effects-technology-has-on-teaching-learning/
3. http://www.communicationstudies.com/how-technology-in-the-classroom-is-changing
4. Unflattening by Nick Sousanis
