Technology in Education
The dynamic nature of technology affects many areas with novel innovations and techniques. One area that has been affected by the evolution of technology is education. At one point, education was theoretical and did not involve heavy use of practicality especially in the learning aspect. However, the intervention of technology has enabled students and teachers alike to incorporate practicality in learning. Thus, the use of technology in education presents advantages but it is also subjected to disadvantages.
Advantages of Technology in Education
Advantages include the availability of course materials, improved student assessment, motivation among students and differentiated learning strategies are the major advantages associated with the utilization and adoption of technology in education.
Availability of Course Materials
Presently, students are not limited by factors that can hinder them from receiving pertinent materials based on their subjects. Additionally, teachers and lecturers can post the materials pertaining to the specific course on the course’s website. This allows students to access the materials and therefore be able to study the materials at their preferred time in their preferred locations. They can also study the material promptly and quickly due to its flexible availability. Furthermore, the flexible accessibility of course materials allows part time students with other engagements such as employment to be in unison with the class since they are able to access the materials freely. In addition, students who are disadvantaged regarding distance are able to access the course materials especially during holiday breaks. Thus, regardless of proximity, students can be able to facilitate their learning.
Improved Student Assessment
Various applications have been developed with the onset of technology in education. These applications have led to the efficiency and effectiveness of instruction. These software applications have been developed for use by teachers and lecturers in their routine instructional tasks to gather applicable data that can be used to enhance the quality of information. Thus, the qualified information can be used to initiate direct improvement to the existing instruction. Consequently, technology has increased portability of the software applications by incorporating them in handheld computers such as Palm Pilots. This has made it advantageous for teachers to assess the progress of their students, identify a student’s problem areas as well as modification of information that can be utilized for the student in order for him or her to achieve success. Therefore, by incorporating diagnostic assessment applications in education, technology has provided efficient techniques of analyzing and rectifying the problems of students hence enabling instructors to perform their duties efficiently and effectively.
Increased Motivation among Students
Technology has led to the creation of computer-based applications that aid students in studying and completing assignments. Computer-based applications such as Computer Aided Instruction (CAI) allow the computer to teach and instruct a student regarding a particular session or part of a course material (n.a., 2011) Therefore, computer-based instructions can present an instantaneous response to students. Furthermore, the computer-based instructions can explain correct answers to the student hence improving the understanding of the particular material being discussed. Additionally, compared to human beings, a computer is tolerant and not condemnatory. These factors provide the student with the enthusiasm as well as an increase in self-esteem to continue learning. Motivation enables students to learn extensively in less time when receiving computer-based directives.
Differentiated Learning Strategies
Technology in education has influenced the different learning strategies and styles that teachers and lecturers incorporate in the classrooms. This is because the technology has provided the resources to focus on active participation among students. Furthermore, the resources provided for education have increased participation broadly by incorporating long distance learning as well as accessibility of the subjects being taught to a wider and considerable audience. By appealing to broad and active audiences, teachers are able to formulate varied different learning styles due to the assortment of students among the broad audiences. Additionally, learning is differentiated whereby teachers and lecturers are able to provide differentiated questioning approaches. The advantage of differentiated learning styles and approaches permits for the broadening of individual instruction and the promotion of developed personal learning schedules such as personal learning and studying timetables.
Disadvantages of Technology in Education
The major disadvantages include inadequate teaching methodologies, social deviance and the effects of digital divide in the classroom.
Inadequate Teaching Methodology
The implementation and utilization requires teachers and other educational instructors to receive adequate training encompassing the use of newly implemented technology. Technology is indeed interesting but in terms of learning and instructing, it requires full integration that enables both teachers and students to gain learning from the technology. The teaching theory behind educational technology is known as constructivism. Constructivism advocates for the use of teaching courses or programs prepared by teachers in educational technology. Additionally, it stresses on teaching the fundamentals of inquiry-based learning. In inquiry-based learning, students are persuaded to engage in research of subjects and topics on their own while the teachers are only involved as facilitators. With the recent advent of educational technology, this type of learning has not been adapted by numerous instructors. Therefore, incorporating the specific type of learning will take a long time and extensive utilization of resources. Consequently, if inquiry-based learning is hurriedly implemented without proper training, it will lead to creation of insufficient teaching and learning approaches by teachers (Fowler, 2012).
Social Deviance
The impact of technology in education is most prevalent in the various forms of deviant behaviors arising from social interactions. Through educational technology, students are able to access social networking sites such as Facebook, Linked In and Twitter. These sites force students to neglect their studies and engage in deviant acts such as procrastination. Moreover, students have been known to engage in harmful acts such as cyber bullying resulting from the implementation of computers as modes of study guides for the educational fraternity. Furthermore, the use of the Internet as a tool for inquiry based learning during research has led to the promotion of vices such as pornography, which have affected the lifestyles, and academic performances of students (Samali, 2010). Furthermore, in colleges, there has been a prevalent increase in casual sexual behavior indirectly attributed from the access of sexually stimulating websites and web materials influencing students to engage in risky and dangerous sexual behaviors.
Digital Divide
Since technology is advancing in a rapid rate, not every educational facility is able to adapt to the technological changes. This creates unfair competition between educational facilities such as colleges since methods used for learning are differentiated qualitatively and quantitatively. For instance, colleges unable to access novel technology are unable to provide teachers with the necessary tools and methods to modify and enhance their teaching strategies concerning the changes in curriculum. Moreover, the changes in technology are hindered by forces of status quo, which makes it difficult to implement the technology in respective educational institutions. Additionally, generational digital divide, which refers to the accessibility of technological facilities among different age groups results from the influence of technology in education. For instance, generational digital divide is evident between the youth who are well adapted to usage of novel technology and the adults who are limited in knowledge of technology. In terms of education, generational digital divide can cause a riff between students and their instructors since it frequently challenges the teachers to be up to date with the latest technology (Fowler, 2012).
Technology has introduced benefits that have outweighed the demerits associated with adoption of technology in educational facilities. Educational technology has led to authentic expression among students, innovations, distance learning, availability of learning materials as well as increased interaction between students of different backgrounds through use of social networking. However, it is necessary to create boundaries around technology and involve in a system of verification and stability in order to prevent unprecedented negative results
Works Cited
Fowler, Phil. “The Disadvantages of Technology in Classroom.” eHow. Demand Media Inc., n.d. Web. 14 Nov 2012. <http://www.ehow.com/about_5435887_disadvantages-technology-classroom.html/>
n.a. “Technology in Education.” Education Week. Editorial Projects in Education, 1 Sep. 2011. Web. 14 Nov. 2012. <http://www.edweek.org/ew/issues/technology-in-education/>
Samali, Tso. “Advantages and Disadvantages of Technology on Student Learning.” Community 101, 9 Oct. 2010. Web. 14 Nov. 2012. http://suite101.com/article/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-technology-on-student-learning-a295257/
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