Technology has improved significantly over the past few years. The invention of the Internet several decades ago led to dramatic changes in the education sector. Using tech in school can be highly advantageous, but it can also come with some disadvantages. Let’s look at some of the pros and cons of using tech in the classroom.
Advantages of Tech in Education
Instant Access to the Latest Information
With the Internet, students can access the latest researches and can get information on any topic. Since the content can be updated in real-time, you will even be able to read about researches that are underway. Instructors just have to teach students how to assess the quality of the websites and the information available online.
Besides searching for queries on services like Google and Bing, you can also use forums like Reddit to ask questions directly, and knowledgeable individuals will offer answers. You can consume the information in different formats, including video, infographics, and text.
Allows All the Students to Participate
Technology also engages all students in class discussions, including the shy ones. With data analysis, instructors will be able to determine where the students are struggling most, and they can thus focus more on those parts. Bots have also been used to engage students in the learning process, and they can also help instructors determine how well the students have grasped the concepts.
Offers Personalized Learning
One challenge lecturers face is teaching all students at the right place. Traditionally, instructors aimed at teaching at the pace of the middle students, but this system still left other students out. Similarly, it wasted a lot of time for the top students. With technology, this system has become unnecessary since all students can enjoy personalized learning. To do this, the students can download e-learning apps that allow them to learn as per their abilities and needs. Similarly, struggling students can order custom research papers from online essay help services.
Prepares Students for the Real World
Although technology has some negative impacts, it is still a major part of modern life. In almost all businesses and workplaces in the world, you will have to use computers and software to complete your work. Therefore, it is important for students to get accustomed to these systems while they are still in school.
Disadvantages of Tech in Education
Distraction for Students
Technology is among the biggest sources of distraction for students, especially since learners carry their phones and tablets everywhere. If they have to use such devices for learning purposes, they might find it challenging to ignore text messages and social media notifications popping up on their phones.
Facilitates Cheating in Tests
Since students have almost all the information available to humans on their mobile devices, they can easily search for answers to the test questions. It is also easy to send test answers to other students using text messages, emails, or services like WhatsApp. When using tech to administer exams, instructors will have to find measures that can prevent cheating.
Students May End Up Using Unreliable Sources
The Internet is full of information on all sorts of topics, but some sources may not have the most accurate details. Some of the information may be entirely false, while other sources may exaggerate the data. Instructors have to teach students how to identify unreliable sources.
The Cost Maybe too High
Although phones, tablets, and computers have become a lot cheaper over the past decades, they are still quite expensive for many families. To use the Internet, students will also need to purchase internet plans or pay for Wi-Fi, and this will further add to the cost. This high cost will put some students at a disadvantage since they will not be able to access online resources at all times.
Conclusion
Technology is applied in many fields today, including education. Software and apps are developed every day to improve the learning process, and in the future, it is even possible for teachers to be replaced by bots to a large extent. Technology has had many positive impacts on education. It has personalized the learning process, and that allows each student to learn at their own pace. It has also made it easier to access the most recent information, and this can be consumed in several formats.
On the other hand, tech has had some negative impacts on education. For example, it has made it easier for students to cheat, and some may get too distracted with messages and social media feeds. Still, it is necessary for institutions to incorporate tech into their systems.
