The Importance Of Technology In Education

“Abundance of books makes men less studious; it destroys memory and enfeebles the mind by relieving it of too much work.” 15th century Italian humanist Hieronimo Squarciafico said this in 1477 to show his objection to the printing press after its invention. He was worried that the amount of books made readily available by printing presses would hurt people’s minds and memories. Replace the word “books” with “technology” and a current opinion against the use of technology for learning is shown. Nowadays, many people are concerned that using technology for learning purposes is actually making people lazier and less apt to think for themselves, but that is not the case. When used for learning purposes, technology is extremely useful and beneficial for students of all ages and abilities. Educational technology is important because it allows learning to be individualized, motivates and engages students, and leads to improved academic achievement.

Technology has many attributes and applications that improve livelihoods. As a student myself, one of the most obvious advancements is in the field of education. Educational technology has slowly been integrated into classrooms over the last decade. Today, the basis of technology, digital literacy, is a crucial skill for academics. “Students who are digitally literate know how to effectively use technology to collaborate, create original content, and conduct in-depth research for academic purposes” (Dotterer, “Fostering Digital Citizenship In The Classroom”). Some worry that the use of technology will encourage people to “cease to exercise their memory and become forgetful” (qtd. In Carr, “Is Google Making Us Stupid?”).

All across the globe, new technologies are being developed to help with everyday activities. Those technologies will always be updated and eventually outdated. Technologies help make the world an easier place to live in. Technological advancements have given the modern world the push it needed to start being more efficient with our resources. Technology enable us to do stuff we could normally only wish about doing. Technology makes advancements in all different industries and improves the product produced by that industry. One of the industries most impacted by technology is education. Education is the most important industry that new technologies are used to make the process more effective. In schools, laptops and smart boards are allowing kids to interact better with the curriculum. Technologies allow kids to learn more effectively, reduce paper waste, and allow the smartest generation in years to form.

Of the many challenges facing educators today is the fact that our world is an ever-changing and rapidly evolving one as technology and an expanding global society become more and more prevalent in all that we do. Never before in history have we been more connected to one another via digital mediums. From our laptops to our iPhones, social media and apps, how we communicate has been heavily influenced by the rise of technology across the globe. Further, technology has infiltrated our classrooms in profound ways. Not only do presentations call for technology, but with the rising use of iPads, Chromebooks, online/ blended learning approaches, and various media platforms in education, it is clear that technology is continually emerging all around us. It is also expected to be a part of students’ learning experiences according to national and state standards. Thus, it is not only important, but crucial, for educators of today to wisely -- and purposefully -- incorporate technology into instruction in order to facilitate students most effectively on their learning journeys. As 21st century learners and educators, it is critical for all involved in education to understand and utilize the skills which are needed most in this current climate. It is the specific four skills of critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity - the 4Cs - that have been highlighted as “the basic skills that all students need in the 21st century” (National Education Association, 2014).

The Impact Principle states effective practice yields evidence of learning. The look on each student’s face will provide evidence as to whether or not they are learning. An educator should assess the faces and student work samples to check for learning. If learning is not present, the educator should accept responsibility for not being impactful, and begin implementing a more effective practice so that the students demonstrate new knowledge. I have discovered this first hand in my practicum placement. I taught a lesson, and as a whole class my students understood the content. However, when I was reviewing their individual work, it was obvious that the students missed the point of the lesson. Therefore, I took responsibly for not teaching the objective in an effective way, and I retaught it in a more relevant manner. Then, my students were successful on the next sample of student work. Due to all of the factors in students’ lives that can hold their interest, an educator must gain and maintain their interest to be impactful. It is then the child will learn. If the educator’s delivery of the content is effective and impactful, evidence will be produced.

Matt Richtel is an American writer and Journalist for The New York Times. Richtel is most known for his series that he wrote about distracted driving, which he was awarded the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for National Reporting. In an article he wrote, Richtel explains about the learning curves that technology has brought to the classrooms. The article mainly focuses on how the movement of technology has changed and how it has made for a challenge among teaching students. As a parent, I find myself concerned about long term effects this may have on my child’s generation with the ability of learning and understanding.

Technology has been around for many years and is still advancing today. Technology is a portion of everyday life. It does not just affect how business is conducted, teaching, learning, and receiving information. Everyone uses technology every day. Even though people are being addicted to it. Technology is still a great benefit to the classroom, it stimulates our digital generation and allows educators to be more creative with the curriculum. Computing devices also provide an entire world of distractions that can greatly outweigh the productive aspects. And because of readily available social media and other electronic entertainment through these devices, students can now find comfort in the distractions of the digital world.

Despite its importance, writing is not given enough attention in schools compare to reading. Since the turn of the 21st century, “there have been a number of significant changes in the contexts in which we teach and in which our students learn to write”. Our culture has taken a digital shift in all aspects of life, including schooling and the way students are exposed to writing curriculum. Robinson, McKenna and Conradi state that “The context of schooling has also changed, with programs and practices affected most directly by an emphasis on standards and assessments as a part of a growing concern with accountability. Given a focus on reading, rather than writing or literacy more generally…this movement has had an impact on teaching and learning at all levels of public education” (Robinson, McKenna & Conradi, 2012, p. 243).

April Chamberlain a well known actress said, ”Education is evolving due to the impact of the internet. We cannot teach our students in the same manner in which we were taught. Change is necessary to engage students not in the curriculum we are responsible for teaching, but in school. Period.” In today's society, people can’t imagine their life without technology. Having access to technology in classrooms and being able to use it is beneficial, and will be one of the many skills necessary for future jobs. Technology is beneficial in classrooms because it will prepare students for future careers, it deepens learning by using resources students are interested in, and it provides individual pacing and sequence.

Many people have faith that technology might be the most powerful factor as each generation after generation passes by. Since the late 1800s, technology has always been the exact refinement for becoming the greatest supremacy in America. It has transformed the features of many’s aspects. In every circumstance, not only has it shown its presence as a benefactor, but it has also had an impact on education that can be proven to be a great source, and has done nothing, but improve the capacity of learning in school. Technology in the classroom is beneficial because it overcomes the limitations, improves the standards of health, and develops the individual’s mind to its greatest knowledge.

As technology becomes ever ingrained in the field of education it polarizes educators on either side, either with technology being an atrophy to the critical thinking and reading skills of students or the only real way they can learn in a modern classroom. But who is right? Is technology a cancer to modern education, something that needs to be cut out before it spreads? Or is it a cure-all for poor school systems that completely levels the field? It is neither and it is both, technology is a mighty force in building multi-tasking skills and preparing students for their futures in the tech-dominated world. However, overexposure to this fantastical medium also hurts the students just as much, gutting their development of imagination, analyzation skills, and critical thinking. The over-saturation of technology in education has become a detriment to learning, making worse students and teachers, while at the same time harming certain comprehension abilities in students.

An article posted in Jamaica Gleaner headlined “Technology Can Improve Learning”, (The Gleaner, 2012) explains the importance of technology in the teaching-learning process for students in Jamaica. The article proposed that there would be a significant turnaround in pupils’ performance who are usually considered as the poor performer. Undoubtedly as exists in industrialized countries, technology as a tool to aid in the delivery of education, is an inevitable addition to the process. In a comment in the article The Minister of Education also intimated that the plan of the Ministry of Education was to use information technology to improve pedagogy in the school system. Essentially ICT are great technological devices that can be used in carrying out this task for the present and future generation.

Technology has been evolving over thousands of years and it has provided humans with education, better health care, and communication that is the key to making our world a better place for future generations to come. Technology is a field of knowledge having to do with the practical applications of science and industry or the inventions and methods of solving problems that are produced through research in these areas. It has helped the school system, the medical field, and provided us with communication that can connect us to everything across the globe. These systems are the keys that make our world work in an efficient way, maybe not all the time, but enough so the world doesn’t just fall apart. In our society, technology has evolved the

The world we live in today is surrounded by new and innovative technology there are new phones and computers coming out every day. Kids are exposed to technology early on and it tends to become an integral part of their lives. From daily activities to educational programs and so you can find technologies everywhere computers, internet, TVs, and other technological components at any school, household or even electronic playground. Technology is amazing and has made everyday life much easier, but "the disruptive nature of technology" takes a turn when it comes to children. However, some people believe that technology is a good approach when it involves education and that it is a faster more effective way to impact their future educational performance. Some people even believe it is an essential need to know how to work technology. Consequently it takes a dark turn on developing kids "Dr. Aric Sigma, a leading psychologist, said "The problem with this generation is that we accept there should be limits on the consumption of many things, such as sunlight, or sugar and salt, but screen time is not something that is thought of as consumption. It's important to impose boundaries, rules, and limits."" In 2016 important leaders from political leaders to businessmen go for "annual meeting to discuss the world's big issue", and in 2016 the most overreaching issue was technology and how it impacts the world. This is an issue that should be acknowledged and addressed regularly by especially adults because they are the one raising the future generation. And "while technology can be an incredible thing, it is obviously important to maintain a balance between the cyber world and real world" and should be regulated by not only at home but at schools and libraries too.

Education is also another field in which technology has expanded. It has opened up thousands of resources for students to access while at school and even at home. “In the past, teachers relied on actual meetings to interact with their students. It was only during physical meetings that teachers could deliver learning materials and instructions to learners. However, nowadays, this kind of absolute dependence on physical meetings is gone.  It is easy for teachers and learners to stay in touch via email and other internet-based services such as file-sharing and Instant Messaging applications.” (Raza, 2017)