Modern technology has made a significant impact worldwide, including today’s educational system. Most tech has grown appreciably over the past few years, making it easier for students and teachers to get work done faster and more efficiently. “Technology can provide tremendous opportunities for education and tremendous obstacles. Virtual laboratories, visuals, teaching [and learning tools] are all good. Cell phones disrupt class, distract students and overstimulate young brains [to their detriment],” said Dr. Niebuhr, Warhill chemistry teacher.
Not only have today’s devices changed our modern learning, but things like smartboards and projectors have made it easier for the teachers to teach and students to learn. Instead of a chalk board, schools have a screen about the same size, which is compatible with computers and can be used in the same ways as a traditional chalk board with added features. Modern tech doubles the resources people used to have back in the day, keeping students’ needs up to date in easier and more convenient ways.
As with everything, there are always cons. Dr. Hamilton, Warhill English teacher said, “Technology can be a great distraction to children – them having the whole internet just a click away.” Students have much easier access to knowledge. The ease of access to information can lead to cheating, which only hurts the students overall. Having so much technology in schools can also affect the amount of human interaction students experience throughout the day and during after school hours. School should be about learning from a physical teacher and socializing with others, yet the new prevalence of computers can distract people from getting these socialization and interpersonal skills. Technology could even harm how much students learn. Times are changing, and people are forced to catch up. If technology keeps growing at the rapid pace that has already been established, who knows what the future of technology in education will look like.
