Technology in the Classroom

In almost every classroom at New Trier, you are bound to see a student with an iPad sitting on their desk in front of them. With iPads becoming more prevalent throughout New Trier, I wonder, what do they do to help us students? Is there much of a difference then using traditional teaching materials, like pencils, paper, and textbooks?

           Some experts argue that using new technology in school prepares students for a technological future. With technology becoming a part of everyday life, it is very important for students to learn how to use it. By using technology in the classroom, students in the future who used technology will be able to enter the workforce with experience with technology, where knowledge of technology is essential for success. Proponents of technology in classrooms also believe that by embracing digital devices, such as laptops and iPads, classrooms around the country and the globe can connect to one another very easily to share insights and boost learning while gaining communications skills with people they normally would never interact with. Access to the internet with new technology enables students to a greater range of resources, with online databases such as Proquest and Abc-Clio,than would otherwise be available. Although technology does have its benefits, others do not believe technology should be added into schools. 

While some experts and students embrace technology in the classroom, others argue that the traditional educational route is more effective. For example, the Association of Waldrof Education in North America believes that hands- on experiences, like music, dance, and writing, is more effective because they believe the experience allows students to develop their intellectual and emotional capacities. Not only do some experts believe that hands-on experiences are more effective, but others believe that using technology  in the classroom makes for a very big distraction. In a recent survey (http://tablets-textbooks.procon.org/)  87% of Elementary and Middle school teachers believe that digital technologies are creating an easily distracted generation with short attention spans. Even though there are negatives to using technology in the classroom, technology is becoming more and more of a part of our daily lives. 

Although there are many pros and cons to using technology in the classroom, technology is being used in many schools today. But how will this new technology in schools shape our future? Do you think that using more technology in school will have positive or negative effects on students? Does technology help or hinder students?