With technological advancements being developed what seems like every day, educators are forced to find the most effective ways to incorporate them into their classrooms. Obviously, we can’t completely exclude new technology from the classroom but we must find a way to utilize them in a way that is beneficial and not detrimental to furthering students education.
Now before I go too deep into this article, let me say that I am not against technology in the classroom. The access to seemingly infinite information for students is amazing, but that can lead both educators and students to abuse that access. In my eyes technology in the classroom is simple; find ways to implement activities and technology use where the students are not too distracted yet maintains their attention. As an education minor, I have been required to gain a certain amount of observation and practicum student teaching hours in K-12 classrooms and the technology in these classrooms has varied tremendously. I myself have used technology in classes to enhance the learning experience of my students but have run into some serious issues at the same time.
Many schools today either provide iPads for students to use or require them to buy/rent one from the school for the academic year. At first glance this has its advantages. But the flaws have been more present in classrooms all over the world, not just in those where I have student-taught. Obviously, technology can increase a student’s learning experience through interactive lesson plans and unlimited access to new information, but we as educators must learn to use technology effectively. It’s a balancing act, and educators are walking the tightrope.
In my own experiences, students always seem to break any firewalls that are setup by the schools and play games during class and other activities instead of paying attention to lessons. Games, social media, and instant message conversations with other students in the class run rampant. Notes aren’t actually notes anymore, instead, students take pictures of what the teacher writes on the board. During my practicum student teaching at the high school level, I actually made students put away their iPads in class and take hand-written notes as a way for me to monitor technology use. Though there are other ways to control the misuse of technology in classrooms, this was the way I found most suitable.
If these trends continue, we will have a generation who is completely reliant on technology and has no social interactions other than that concerned with commenting on their BFF’s picture on Instagram. Sure, you can argue that we are already at that stage with technology, but would you believe me when I say it can get worse? Well, you should. We as students and educators must utilize advancing technology in ways that both enhance our knowledge and provide a truly educational atmosphere. Allowing students to use iPads and computers in the classroom always causes issues, as teachers are not able to keep tabs on each student's activity.
As a student who aspires to become an educator, I must embrace technology in the classroom but also maintain a conscious knowledge of what students are able to do with the technology available. Go ahead and call my approach Old-School. I’ll gladly accept it. My methods may be a little retro, but they allow me to be a more productive and comfortable teacher in the classroom. Emerging technology is incredible, but we must learn how to utilize it effectively before it prohibits our abilities to provide an actual education to the younger generations. I’ll learn, will you?
