Blog 3: The Pros and Cons of Technology in the Classroom

 

- The Pros and Cons of Technology in the Classroom 

As technology is becoming more of a discussed topic, it is clear to me that I am not the only one questions whether or not technology is helpful or hurtful in the classroom. According to Brown (2019), there are 7 pros and 5 cons to have technology in the classroom. Throughout her article, she discusses each of these pros and cons. In this blog, I am going to summarize the pros and cons in a list, and then discuss my own take on them. 

Pros: 

• Technology provides a variety of useful resources for teachers, students, and parents. E.g., Youtube and Quizlet. 
• Technology makes learning much more efficient. This includes parent-teacher communication. 
• The world has become increasingly technology driven, by incorporating technology in the classroom, we are preparing students for life in the 'real world.' 
• Technology allows for teachers and students to have immediate access to the most up-to-date information. No more relying on those old, outdated textbooks!
• Technology gives students the ability to research what they want to learn and take control of their learning. This includes collaborating with other students using tools such as Google Docs. 
• Using technology allows for districts and teachers to save money; therefore, its cost effective. For example, online resources are less expensive than hard cover books.
• Students find technology to be fun. They are more engaged and motivated to learn. 

Cons: 

• Students will experience excessive screen time. They will constantly be in front of a device at school and at home (cell phones, computers, gaming devices, etc.) 
• Technology is a minefield of distractions. 
• Technology makes cheating easier. 
• When students are always engaged using technology, they have less human interaction. Social skills aren't being developed for real-life conversations and interactions. 
• Unequal access to technology. Due to socioeconomic status and living environments, not all students will be able to have learning through technological means.

  My Take

• I am finding that the pros and cons similar to research I have done thus far. 
• The question to me becomes do the pros outweigh the cons, or do the cons outweigh the pros? 
• When I just read the pros, you think that technology in the classrooms is perfect. 
• After reading this article, I believe that technology in the classroom is absolutely beneficial. However, I think there needs to be limited access. Not everything should be done on the computer. Although the resources may be less expensive, it is possible to make engaging lessons that are not technology-driven. 
• The cheating and lack of social interaction is what worries me most about technology in the classroom.

Reference

Brown, C. (2019, May 16). 12 pros and cons of technology in the classroom. Classcraft. Retrieved July 19, 2022, from https://www.classcraft.com/blog/pros-and-cons-of-technology-in-the-classroom/