Tech-Savvy Students

 

students smiling while using computers 

Welcome to the 21st century! We have 10 year olds with iPhones, televisions in every room, and laptops for every student to use for schoolwork. Technology can be good, and it can be bad, but

As teachers, how do we determine the amount of technology used for the learning experience?

With an increase in technology and funding for its use in classrooms today, teachers are faced with lots of decisions on what role technology will play in their students learning and how they can regulate its use to not rely too heavily on it. Teachers have opportunities left and right with resources like google classroom, Padlet, Kahoot, etc. However, at what point is it too much technology and not enough teacher interaction in the classroom. Sticking students in front of a laptop or tablet all hours of the day can have a negative impact on their learning due to distractions and too much screen time. For some students, all of their time at home is spent on technology, and for this to continue at school, it could result in a generation who cannot interact with their peers properly.

mother helping her daughter learn with a laptop

On the other hand, we see lots of benefits from a increase in technology in the classroom. According to a study done by Bay Atlantic University, "Appropriate classroom technology boosts students' academic achievement, self-confidence, motivation in class, and attendance." We are seeing students achieving success with the use of technology when balanced properly in the classroom. Teachers must still be capable of getting up in front of their classes and teaching, but can use the access to technology to assess students, provide them with opportunities to create projects of their own, for example. From there, they can present their projects in front of the class to still bring in the aspect of in-person, face to face interaction with their classmates.