Mainstream Education Source Analysis

With the capabilities and wide-spread availability of technology, it is not uncommon to use electronic machines and computers in our everyday lives. Whether it is a business, government, hospital, or car repair shop, people utilize technology to make their jobs more effective, efficient, and enjoyable. One societal institution where the incorporation of technology seems most beneficial is in our schools, especially in K-12. Through the use of technology, education is made more accessible, versatile, engaging, and easier for both students and teachers.

In today’s day and age, it is very easy to locate anyone, from ages 4-24, plugged into technology at any given moment. Although the increased usage of digital media and information had forever positively influenced our society, it is important to remember our foundation and to develop ourselves and the future generation with a different, more traditional perspective of life. Prior to deciding to convert a school’s curriculum to a more blended learning environment, realizing the possible detrimental factors that using technology to facilitate learning could cause is high significant.

Fifty plus years ago students had to use type writers. In the present students get to use computers. In the past some teachers had to use black chalk boards to teach. Today some teachers use smartboards. In the past and in the present students use books, paper, and pencils although the present day has more advances in technology. In the article, “In the Future, Diverse Approaches to schooling”, the author described how all types of schools need more flexible use of money to allow technology resources (Hill and

In elementary school, I was taught to do math without a calculator, forcing me to learn the methods needed to find my answer. Upon arriving to high school, we are given calculators to find answers, hindering your chances of attempting to learn how to truly find the answer to a question. Also, in some classes you are forced not to use technology to take notes, minimizing your distractions and forcing you to become engaged in the class and participate. This has affected my writing in both negative and positive ways. Not using technology in the classroom, has forced me to work harder to grasp what is being taught while its use has made the process easier and has provided tools such as Microsoft Word to help me make sure my writing is acceptable, through its editing tools. This is similar to Dennis Baron notes statement that he has become reliant on tech himself, not being able to draft anything coherent onto a piece of paper anymore. This may affect my writing in the future by leading me towards becoming reliant upon technology, eventually disregarding traditional ways of writing/learning all together. Overall, I believe that the development of technology has benefited us and although with its evolution, we become more reliant, we will continue to find better ways to

Education is ever-changing and students need to be confident, creative, connected and active lifelong learners. Digital technologies are very important to our student’s world as they use them to connect with each other, learn new skills and pursue their interest. Luckey (2009) stated “For students in particular, technology is almost an extension of themselves. They use it to communicate, to discover the world, to play games, to collaborate, to create things, to write, to read, and to organize their lives. Nothing can be more foreign to them than school without technology or where technology is relegated to its own special place.” Mobile devices with the power of digital technology are being placed in every student’s hand in schools around the world which equips them with the personal technology needed to learn and communicate in the 21st century. While these programs can be very effective for students, they can be challenging for schools. Some educators believe that digital technology in the classroom may cause more of a distraction to students; however integrating digital technology in the classroom helps students become more engaged. In the digital world, data is at students’ fingertips 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Technology is everywhere and many students have adopted practices

In the article, “Technology Instruction: Fixing the Disconnect,” the authors state that schools that do not adapt to teaching with these new technologies that surround students outside of the classroom reflect “a decline in school’s relevancy to students’ futures” (Larson, Kuhn, Collins, Balthazor, Ribble & Miller, 2009, p. 55). In order to prepare teachers to meet the needs of today’s students, schools need to provide teachers with support from a technology specialist who also understands “the art of teaching” and how to transform curriculum with technology (p. 56). Teachers need to not only learn how to use the technology but also be willing to rethink how they teach and manage the classroom (p. 57). Allan Collins

In the last two decades, media has been growing and developing at a rapid pace. As media became readily available to the general population, stakeholders in school districts began the drive to incorporate it in the schools. According to Mark Prensky (2001), students in schools today are considered to be digital natives, having technology at their fingertips at all times. Seeking to motivate and engage students in the learning

I think that the use of technology in schools is one of the best decisions the school system could have made. Living in a time period of accelerating change, I think that it is important to lean away from the more traditional educational tactics of teaching and learning that may have worked in the past. And start to transition into the more modern-day style of teaching and learning, which involves technology. Students are always using technology. Whether it is them on their laptops, tablets, or using their phones to surf the internet or an app, it is a vital part of their daily lives. I think that because technology plays such a primary role in students' lives, the best way to connect with students in the classroom, is to incorporate technology into some part of the lesson. I believe that

This assessment also demonstrated the importance of a sound digital pedagogy, why educators should investigate new technologies to enhance their digital capabilities further, to then meet students’ needs and maintain an engaging and motivating classroom for students of the digital age, promoting life-long learning (Howell, 2012).

A person can’t walk into a classroom and not see some type of technology. When teaching young children, teachers should not just give their student technology. Teachers should teach their younger students how to use the technology around them. In his 2006 article, “Overdominance of Computers,” Lowell Monke states that teachers should use more technology in high school than the younger grades. In which I agree, because younger children need to learn how to do things without the technology presented to them. Also, I guaranteed by the time I am teaching and my students reach high school, there is going to be new types of

It seems that technology is growing, improving, and changing at an exponential rate. Technology now affects every part of our lives from the time we get up to the time we go to bed, and even as we sleep. One of the major areas that has been affected by technology is education. At one time, the only option for students to complete their education was in a traditional classroom setting. There has become a major need for non-traditional education because there has been a growth in the amount of non-traditional students that exist in our society. The advancement of technology has

As we navigate through the 21st century, technology in the classroom is becoming further predominant. iPads are replacing our textbooks, and we can research any desired topic on our smartphones. The impact that technology has had on today’s schools has been utterly momentous. Educators have now seen firsthand the numerous benefits of technology in the classroom. According to a study by IT Trade Association CompTIA, around 75 percent of educators have come to the conclusion that technology has a positive impact on the education process. Educators have also recognized the significance of developing these technological skills in students so they will be prepared to enter the workforce after they graduate (Cox). By incorporating technology in the classroom, teachers are setting our students up for a successful life outside of school. The increase of technology has even changed how teachers teach along with how

Many teachers struggle with motivating students to learn. When technology integration in the classroom is seamless and thoughtful, students not only become more engaged, they begin to take more control over their own learning, too. Technology helps change the student and teacher roles and relationships. With the presence of technology in the classroom, students now take responsibility for their learning outcomes, while teachers become their guides and facilitators. Furthermore, for economically disadvantaged students, the school may be the only place where they will have the opportunity to use a computer and integrate technology into their learning.

Across the U.S., technology used in education has been increasing exponentially. Every learning institution ranging from elementary school to college have incorporated technology into their teachings. Online textbooks, quizzes, notes, and classes are all examples of how education has been utilizing technology. While technology has a place in education, not everything in education needs to involve technology.

The education world has been greatly influenced by rapidly changing technology and the increasing availability of information. Schools have advanced by leaps and bounds when it comes to incorporating technology into the learning environment, however, many more advances need to be made. In all areas of the country, educators are trying to help students keep up with technology, but there are more changes that are essential for preparing the next generation for the future.