The use of technology in the classroom has become the norm when it comes to classroom activities, assignments, and lectures. Technology in the classroom has both positive and negative results when it comes to the students. In this blog I will take you though the benefits of technology in the classroom and through the negatives associated with technology in the classroom.
Technology has many benefits when it comes to the classroom setting. One benefit of technology in the classroom is that children are drawn to technology. For example, in Kyrene school district the student population has increased dramatically due to the new technology the school provides the students to learn with. An increased student body means more state funds for the school, which can help the school and the students. Not only is technology causing an increase in the student population, but it is also having an effect on the student’s interest. Students are becoming more interested in school, and because of this new found interest they are doing better on exams. Technology can also be useful to ELL students because they will no longer need to rely on doing presentations in front of the class that involve pronunciation. Teachers now have the option to provide their ELL students to make movies explaining an area of information rather than a PowerPoint presentation which involves a lot of talking and explaining on the student’s part.
Technology also has many disadvantages when it comes to schools as well. One of these disadvantages is many schools use up a lot of their budget on the newest technological trends, and this extra spending may cause a cut in after school activities and other school programs, such as art and music, to make up for the extra expenses. Not only does extra spending on technology take away for extracurricular activities, but it also may lead to a layoff of teachers and faculty. Layoffs can not only be harmful to the teachers that lose their job, but also to the students because they now are forced into bigger class sizes, cutting down on their one on one instruction time.
In conclusion I believe that technology can be extremely helpful in a classroom as long as the teacher knows how to instruct using technology properly. I agree that technology can help prepare students for the future, keep them interested in the subject matter, and support visual learning. I do also believe that technology can be a disadvantage in schools as well. Technology can distract students and waste a lot of the school funds. However, both these major disadvantages can be overcome with the proper purchases and instruction.
I really enjoyed your article. I agree with your disadvantages and advantages. I like how you talked about how technology is affecting the budget and laying off good teachers because i think that is one really big disadvantage. I also like that you brought up the fact that technology helps ELL students. As a student, I wasn't always comfortable presenting to the class and powerpoints really helped that fear. In all I think you made a lot of good valid points.
ReplyDeleteMary, I agree with you completely. Technology for the kids has a lot of positive and also negative set backs. I agree with all of your explinations. In the end I feel as if students should also have technology, but they just need to be supervised and taught how to use it correctly from their teacher. I like the details given, and also the examples, great job!
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