Technology in the Classroom - Jessica

Technology in the Classroom

            Everyone has their own opinion about the use of technology in the classroom. There is always on going fights about technology being a distraction, while others saying that it is a useful tool that benefits the school, students and teachers. If you think about it everywhere we look there is someone taking advantage of technology. So why don’t we use the technology to benefit us? Although people may believe that technology is distracting in the classroom, it could be beneficial to early education students.

            Technology is all around us and taking advantage of the devices would be an intelligent idea. “Fifty-two percent of young children (0 to 8) have access to a smart phone, video, iPod, or tablet such as an iPad or Android device” (Guernsey).  To my knowledge, there are not very many schools around that do not have any technology access. Two-thirds of homes with children under the age of 12 years old have computers and Internet; over half have some type of videogame system, and large majorities have cell phones.  Stated by Guernsey, “The time is overdue for thinking about the communication technologies and interactive media that could support early education efforts in states and localities.” This should inspire people to become more active and to learn how to teach to use the helpful tools that are framing our everyday life.

            “A major goal of early childhood education is to enhance children’s cognitive skills and socialization, prerequisites for future success in schools and as adults” (Edward). Stated by Edwards, in his report, computers have been proved that they are useful for many important pieces of a child’s education, which includes: conceptual and cognitive development, literature, mathematics, and comprehension monitoring. Teaching children how to properly use technology will give then a head start to what the future may hold in front of them. Also using technology can push and motivate students to do better and learn more. Researches from the past have shown that using the technology enhances learning abilities because it is both challenging and different from the normal learning habits. (Edward) Therefore, you should see that not adding what is convenient to us is not the best idea, because it could be helpful in every way.

            Over the years we have acquired lots of technology in the classroom and it has benefitted many students, but people may argue that there are many more disadvantages that come with technology that outweigh the positives. Said by Jennifer Cox, technology can be a big distraction and it is very disrespectful to play on their technology than doing what was asked of them. And teaching young children how to use the technology will only cause them to start being disrespectful at a younger age. “Students today expect us to be entertainers, and while we find that the material itself riveting enough, many students cannot gather the same enthusiasm” (Cox).  Therefore coming to the conclusion, using technology will lead us in the wrong way and not be helpful; also it would be a major distraction not allowing them to learn the passages that is put before them.

            Although that both sides have a valid point I would side with adding technology into the classroom. Not only should we add it to the classroom but to start at a young age, because we live in the twenty first century and there is always something new coming out. Teaching the use of technology they will now understand how to use it properly, and it can also be used as a helpful tool for educational uses. In my opinion if we start using technology early enough we can teach the students how to use the technology and not be disrespectful. Respect is an important value but so is the use of technology. Now we can have the best of both words, by catching the young students we can teach them so much more than what we received in our k-12 education. They will come out on top with respect and knowledge. 

Works Cited

Edward Pan, et al. "Applying Technology To Inquiry-Based Learning In Early Childhood Education." Online Submission (2009): ERIC. Web. 16 Oct. 2012.

Guernsey, Lisa, and States Education Commission of the. "Technology In Early Education: Building Platforms For Connections And Content That Strengthen Families And Promote Success In School. The Progress Of Education Reform. Volume 13, Number 4." Education Commission Of The States (2012): ERIC. Web. 15 Oct. 2012. http://www.ecs.org/clearinghouse/01/03/00/10300.pdf

Cox, Jennifer Brannock. The Digital Campus: “Reclaiming the Classroom With Old-Fashioned Teaching”. Page B24. May 4, 2012.