Technology Take Over

Hey bloggers...
I think it’s about time we tackle the issue of the use of media technology (i.e. laptops) in schools. We live in such an ever growing technological advanced society that even I myself cannot keep up with every latest development. As a future educator it’s a concern that I cannot properly prepare myself for the media knowledge my students will bring to the classroom as there is an overwhelming amount of information students gain access to through the Internet. It’s important to assess the advantages and/or disadvantages media technology provides in education and what are the immediate effects posed on students.

For the reason that there is an infinite amount of knowledge students can learn through computers students need clear guidelines and a basic knowledge of technology awareness in order to understand why the Internet cannot be a viable resource. “We” have only seen the beginning of what technology can do and the key is to start early. Of course parents can attempt to protect their children as much as possible but at the rate “we” are going creating awareness is essential before protection. Students today are dependable upon their computers much like cell phones (where the Internet is also accessible.) “We” have a burning desire to know every detail of everyone’s life in the midst of it happening. Desires that quickly turn into obsessions and when it overlaps with the importance of education a line has to be drawn. Many (or most) of students today carry laptops to and from school on a daily basis. This then transforms the student into an accessibly faster note-taker. However, after the first few weeks of school how many of us continuously take notes on our laptops? When listening becomes tedious and routine follows the laptop holds a world of temptations. The classroom then becomes a vulnerable place where a screen takes over student attention. “We” as students are not the only ones guilty of this behavior as more and more teachers create this sort of environment in their own classrooms. As most of you are aware teachers/professors have become extremely well in producing PowerPoint presentations. This allows the presenter to glide through their presentation effortlessly. However, it creates some type of boundary. The primary student/teacher interaction or relationship is lost. Students may even skip more classes because they rather read through the PowerPoint themselves. If we are self aware of its effects we can create a positive space for media technology in the classroom. As each student’s learning pattern is different the use of technology in the classroom pertains to a multitude of intelligences and is likely to help students achieve in areas they could not before. Hence, there is always room for improvement when it comes to student success.
-S