pros and cons of technology in the classroom essay

•   Friday, December 1, 2023

Future Educators

Helping America's Future Teachers

Pros and Cons of Technology in the Classroom

Student learning is an area with enormous potential to benefit from information technology. Information dissemination is, after all, a core strength of today’s technologies. And digital technology offers versatile platforms to streamline classroom teaching.

While technology unlocks innovation opportunities, blended teaching and learning are not without disadvantages. What are the downsides that come with the powers and benefits of technology?

Debate is still going on concerning potential harm from integrating technology into the classroom. Let’s look at both sides by discussing the advantages and disadvantages of students accessing computers and digital information.

Advantages of Technology in Education

By offering digital tools and learning platforms, technology offers great advantages in school education. Students have more information at their fingertips and build technology skills. Tech can do some tasks equally or better than teachers, including administration, data gathering and supporting self-direct learning. Here are the top five pros to technology in the classroom.

1. Access high-quality, current information

Modern technology is fantastic when it comes to making information available to everyone. In a classroom setting, getting the most up-to-date data helps ensure the best educational experience. Teachers are also able to use or direct students towards trusted sources to ensure accurate information.

Students are also able to assimilate information more efficiently with the interactive presentation that digital technology allows. Instead of reading through text sequentially, the teacher or student can navigate information on a topic using hyperlinks, tabs, accordions, etc. References can be checked immediately as well.

Classroom technology definitely beats paper textbooks for accessing relevant information quickly. The trick is to place structure around activities to maintain focus and ensure the class is covering the same material. The need to keep everyone on the same page so to speak is a limiting factor in the use of technology for gaining information.

2. Gather student performance metrics easily

A clear and powerful advantage of using technology in education is that it allows teachers to perform their job better. The automatic collection of data in digital testing and learning environments has the benefits of: allowing more student performance data to be collected, freeing teachers from repetitive grading exercises, and providing instant feedback to students.

Platforms that yield data analytics can pinpoint the areas where each student is having most difficulty. Performance information allows instructors to quickly adjust teaching strategies and the syllabus according to the data gathered and analyzed.

When a given learning goal can be achieved with technology or traditional methods with about equal effectiveness, the technology-based approach may be preferred just because of the data advantages. Once in this digital environment, the technology and instructional content may be improved over time, leaving traditional instruction techniques further and further behind.

3. Students learn technology skills

Using technology in the classroom naturally increases opportunities for students to learn technology skills. While it’s possible to take all but the simplest IT skills out of a lesson, keeping some technical challenges in there is healthy for student development. After all, we live in a digital world and have things like virtual offices and working online from home .

Children are fast learners when it comes to most things but especially with technology. Given the chance, they’ll quickly build computer operation skills and digital literacy. Examples of skills they’ll learn include keyboard awareness, logging in and password protection, navigating apps, setting preferences, online document sharing, and using standard software such as text editors and spreadsheet workbooks.

Teachers can offer exercises that give pupils the opportunity to test and expand their capabilities. For example, you can give students freedom in how they present project results. The smart ones, who could perhaps become IT professionals in the future, will find and deploy internet resources, such as graphics or charting software, to enhance the presentation.

4. Improved student participation and engagement

Students generally love technology and introducing it is a way to boost engagement. Mixing up traditional instruction styles with technology makes the class less predictable and the learning environment more dynamic.

Examples of how teachers can inject technology are to: direct students to online resources, present short videos, use interactive software, make digital presentations, and ask students to create digital content themselves.

Online platforms are often flexible in allowing you to exercise your creativity. You can, for instance, customize quizzes to make them more engaging and competitive. Any good resources you find online might be useful additions to the lesson. The possibilities are limitless.

You can also apply technology to get more information from reserved students. If you need to ask the opinion of everyone regarding a topic or even a simple question, why not use an online polling platform? This way, even quiet students who normally wouldn’t want to speak in the classroom will participate.

5. Automate repetitive tasks

Teaching can include tedious tasks such as keeping track of attendance, recording quiz scores and noting tasks completed. With the present technology available, such tasks can now be partially or fully automated. This can unlock time teachers are able to divert to substantive teaching endeavors.

Existing technology can be used to help teachers in several areas: planning lessons, assessing students, grading homework, giving feedback and administrative paperwork. Jill Barshay

Implementing technology is not a costless exercise however and the effectiveness depends on how well software is programmed and made easy to use. But, over time, we can expect the work of teachers to become more streamlined. Instructors will have fewer administrative tasks and more time to capitalize on human strengths, such as making connections, inspiring students and creating a sense of shared purpose.

Disadvantages to Technology in the Classroom

The recency of many innovations means we’re still grappling with how best to incorporate technology in schools. Educators may lack the time and knowledge to implement tech effectively. Using technology without sufficient care can produce poorer learning outcomes and cause students to miss out on social interaction. These are key cons of technology in the classroom and online education.

1. Faster but less memorable learning

While the lightning pace with which technology operates may seem like a clear benefit, experienced educators are actually wary of this aspect. Devices and learning apps are able to function faster than the corresponding learning speed of the human mind. Students may gloss over material, missing texture and depth along the way.

Proper and coherent cognitive thought takes time. Otherwise, engagement can be drastically reduced. It’s for this reason experts are suggesting we modify media use, such as how videos are presented , to slow down and allow for more rumination and contemplation.

The simple act of writing something by hand has slowing, stimulatory effects that brain research has shown to aid both learning and memorization. Although efficient, typing is repetitive as each keystroke is almost the same action. Writing by hand is more challenging, intricate and slower, allowing your brain to form more “hooks” to imprint thoughts.

2. Technology can be distracting

Devices such as laptops and tablets in the classroom are bound to become sources of distraction to students. This is especially true if the software doesn’t prevent access to apps unrelated to lessons, quizzes and other educational activities.

A need exists for appropriate restrictive measures on gadgets in education to ensure they further learning goals and aren’t used, for example, to play games or use social media for pure entertainment. You can be sure that some badly behaved students will always try to use technology for fun instead of the intended purpose.

A problem here is that high school students may be more tech savvy than their teachers. One technique students use to access out-of-bounds sites is to go to a proxy site that delivers content from other sites without the student technically visiting those sites. Another method to bypass a school firewall is to use a virtual private network (VPN ) to encrypt browsing data so the student’s internet activities can’t be monitored.

3. Less direct social interaction

The apparent way in which technology excises social interaction is another cause for concern. Students have less need to verbally communicate and interact with their teachers and one another when using technology. Online teaching and learning excludes face-to-face interaction altogether.

To address this, classroom teachers should ensure activities such as oral presentations, recitations and group work happen regularly. There needs to be a mindfulness that we’re trying to prepare well-rounded people for adulthood.

For students addicted to gaming or social media, school might actually be a place where they get some downtime from tech. It’s up to teachers to identify when students are spending too much time with their heads buried in devices. When technology isn’t being used, students should be encouraged or pressed to show some life and interact.

4. Integrating tech is often time consuming

While technology could make the job of a teacher very easy in the future, we are not there yet . Devising effective lessons using digital technology rather than traditional methods can be challenging and time consuming. That’s why it’s important for educators to share their insights on how to effectively teach kids when there is technology in the classroom.

Showing up to your class and teaching by talking and interacting with students doesn’t require special preparation. But when you make extensive use of technology during the lesson, you’re normally going to have to prepare for that. Teachers taking advantage of technology have the same amount of face-to-face instruction time but may need to do more planning, placing an extra strain on their workload.

Online learning when classes are held remotely have shown the limitations of tech. Just trying to corral students, to ensure they’re all logged in and paying attention, is a challenge in itself. The quality of lessons suffers as educators grapple with tech while trying to meet the practical learning needs of students.

6 Tips on How To Engage With Students

15 thoughts on “ pros and cons of technology in the classroom ”.

The amount of privilege in this paragraph is nothing short of nauseating. “Teachers can offer exercises that give pupils the opportunity to test and expand their capabilities. For example, you can give students freedom in how they present project results. The smart ones, who could perhaps become IT professionals in the future, will find and deploy internet resources, such as graphics or charting software, to enhance the presentation.” Oh wow, just wow… “The smart ones”, you mean the ones that sit still, eyes on you, have stable households, technology access at home, maybe even only from this country… Do better future educators, do better….

Everyone in a classroom should be expected to pay attention, no matter their background. You don’t have to be privileged to do it. And every child should be given the opportunity to reach their potential – no ceilings.

im a 12 year old sacred heart student and im reading your comments for a debate thank you so much 12\10\2023

Technology is very bad. Technology reminds me of the turbunence, strapping down your seatbelts, thug shaker, and people getting addicted to their phones, whenever i go in public people start doing turbulence, and always yelling out stuff and it influenced our society very big.

Technology can be a distraction for students, making it difficult for them to focus on learning. For example, students may be more interested in checking social media on their devices than paying attention to the lesson. Also when students rely too heavily on technology, they may become less capable of solving problems or completing tasks without it. This can hinder their ability to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

i think that it is not that it is not that bad to have a phone

Maybe so. However, the use of technology and electronic devices can have negative effects on concentration and the ability to write well-structured sentences. Everyone, including educators, need to find a balance and limit the use of technology to enhance academic performance.

Technology needs to be included to a certain degree but if we use it in every aspect of learning, you will see more and more children suffering with ADHD, ADD, and other learning issues. I see it now with children as young as 8 years old walking around with smartphones!

The good news is there is no evidence in this study or anything else I’ve read that cell phone use would create ADHD

There are pros and cons to everything, that’s why everything should be used in a controlled way. This is true nothing can replace the conventional method of teaching, but we can make it more interesting and better for students with a little use of tech. Like the use of animation, quiz polls, etc. So everything is cool until it is used in a particular way.

I would like to point out that you’re contradicting yourself on the Pro#4 with the interaction of a student via tech, and with the Con #3, that a student needs to interact with oral participation. The Pro #4 would discourage oral participation, which I believe is huge asset for all students. A student should be encouraged and helped with speaking out on different discussions. Teaches would call on me, even though they knew I didn’t like it, but it helped me get over my shyness. I hated speech in high school, but I did it and thank God for it. It has helped me tremendously.

That’s a good point Billiam. We shouldn’t lose the art of conversation and talking in person. Using technology to engage students is a balancing act.

I think it’s imperative that kids learn technology. Just don’t abandon everything. For example, we don’t use quills and inkpots (or fountain pens for that matter), but we should still teach kids to write with pens and pencils. That includes cursive, which is proven to help kids’ learning. There are grey areas though. One of them is calculators. We don’t teach kids how to use slide rules, but should we abandon calculators for certain situations? Then there are things that have completely been abandoned, but for no good reason. Why can’t kids tell time with non-digital clocks?

This is how I see technology in the classroom: you have to use a hybrid model because there is no escaping how ingrained technology is in our lives and even more in the students’ lives. I would argue that in some cases the students are ahead of their teachers when it comes to being tech-savvy and understanding where things are headed. However, there are traditional skills that are overlooked far too much including reading from books, writing (printing and cursive), and doing research without a computer. Add these items to your article and I can’t think of any better description of the pros and cons of using technology in classrooms.

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21 Technology in the Classroom Pros and Cons

Technology in the classroom isn’t a new concept. Today’s 40-somethings had access to a computer lab in many schools growing up. Kids in the 1980s were learning how to swat flies with a mouse during their computer classes in kindergarten.

What has changed is the prevalence of technology in the classroom. In the 1980s, a school was lucky to have enough computers to support technology learning for one classroom at a time. Today, many schools have students using their own computers and tablets as part of the learning experience.

There is a lot of learning potential available when technology is in the classroom. There is also a higher risk of dependency on technology to recall information when necessary.

These are the essential technology in the classroom pros and cons to consider for parents, teachers, students, and administrators.

List of the Pros of Technology in the Classroom

1. It creates opportunities for active learning. Teachers are able to receive instant feedback about their students when using technology to teach. It makes the learning process more active for students because they are engaging with technology in physical ways. Instead of lectures with a textbook, technology gives teachers an option to create immediate quizzes, online polling, or tools that help further the learning process.

2. It gives credibility to the lessons being taught. Children today are well-versed in how to use technology from an early age. Even parents who are stringent with screen time requirements have children who know how to use computers, tablets, and smartphones by preschool age. That means these children take teachers who use technology seriously because they’re engaging at a level which is familiar to them.

3. It ensures full participation. In the traditional classroom setting, you’ll have students who want to answer every question. You will also have students who refuse to answer any questions. Thanks to technology in the classroom, teachers can easily engage with students who may not be willing to participate publicly with lessons or assignments, creating more 1-on-1 teaching opportunities.

4. It unleashes the power of analytics. Using technology means students are creating information that teachers and administrators can use to benefit the learning process. Teachers could use analytics to determine if there are specific areas of concern for certain students. Those who excel could have their lessons individually tailored to be challenging. With this information, instead of relying on group lessons, every student receives a learning plan that can meet their unique educational needs more effectively.

5. It eliminates the need to carry multiple textbooks. For the K-4 grades, having technology in the classroom reduces the amount of physical space required for numerous textbooks. In the upper grades, students benefit because they can carry their textbooks in an e-format within their computer instead of lugging around a backpack of heavy books. Both groups benefit by having increased information access while benefiting from increased space.

6. It automates time-consuming tasks in the classroom. Apps and tools can be used by teachers to help grade writing assignments. The process of answering frequent, common questions can be automated to reduce time commitments. Students benefit by having auto-correct functions on word processing software, access to internet resources, and online textbook availability with search options that help with subject studies.

7. It provides access to updated information instantly. When you’re using technology in the classroom, you can have confidence that you’re using the updated version or edition of the information being taught. Before this was an option, schools had to consistently updated textbooks, at a high expense, to ensure the most relevant information was being offered to their students. Now schools can worry about providing updated technology with subscription access thanks to many of today’s educational SaaS options.

8. It gives students a real-world skill to use later in life. We are living in a digital world. As technologies continue to evolve, we will find more of our lives dependent upon our knowledge of how to use them. Students who have technology in the classroom have a natural advantage here because they’re learning a real-world skill as they also learn reading, mathematics, and other core subjects.

9. It is a chance to learn about online safety and etiquette. Before the age of 8, children typically trust everything that an advertisement tells them. Up until the teen years, there can still be a desire to trust first and question later. When dealing with an issue like online safety, it is important for children to learn how to safeguard their personal information. Having technology in the classroom allows teachers to offer practical advice and skill development opportunities which can do just that.

10. It can help students with alertness. When exposed to artificial light, it can act as a way to focus on the information being presented. It may boost feelings of alertness while reducing feelings of fatigue. That can encourage the learning process to proceed naturally for students, even if their recovery period at home was not as beneficial as it could be.

11. It can provide more resources for lesson planning. There are plenty of places on the internet where teachers are helping other teachers with lesson planning needs. Some are even providing professional help, creating a unique side hustle that wasn’t always available before. With templates, calendars, and other tools readily available, it can be much easier to plan lessons, create a curriculum, or even plan out the entire year thanks to the technology resources which are available in the classroom.

List of the Cons of Technology in the Classroom

1. It creates socioeconomic separations in the classroom. When technology is in the classroom, students have a prerequisite to know how to use the equipment for learning. For households that are struggling financially, there may not be these technology options in the home. That places these students at a disadvantage because they’d be required to learn how to use the technology before they could begin learning subject materials.

2. It limits homework opportunities for disadvantaged students. Unless the school is able to send the technology home with students, homework assignments which are dependent upon technology become difficult for disadvantaged students to complete. As of 2016, there were still 15% of homes that did not own some form of a computer. Forcing students to travel to a library or some other location for computer access creates more of a time and cost commitment when these may already be issues for them at home.

3. It can become a distraction. As children grow older, technology becomes more of a distraction because of the information access it provides. At the university level, students who use technology in the classroom typically earn lower grades. There are numerous ways a computer pulls a student’s attention away from the learning lesson, from social media to online gaming. When one student is distracted, the effect tends to permeate to the other students in the classroom as well.

4. It changes how students socially interact with one another. There is a real-world skill being developed when students learn how to interact with each other on a personal level. Whether two students decide to become friends is less important than the skills that develop when exploring the possibility of a friendship. Online interactions don’t eliminate this process. They just change it. How someone interacts with a person online is very different from how they may interact offline.

5. It can limit physical presentation skills. Technology in the classroom can also go too far, relegating students to online presentations and their ability to design something using specific tools. There is still a need to verbally communicate with others in a public setting. Group collaboration is still a skill that must be present for students who are looking to transition into the labor force. Oral presentations encourage students to practice their public speaking skills. For that reason, technology should be used as a tool, rather than serving as a substitute for the teacher.

6. It could encourage cheating in the classroom. Let’s face it. Some students have always worked harder at trying to find ways to cheat than they have studying for the lesson. With technology, it’s very easy to copy-and-paste the work of someone else to submit as their own. There are even freelancers who are willing to write essays for students online for a small fee. It is possible to structure lessons in a way that makes it difficult to cheat, such as making classroom questions a little different for each student. There must be vigilance here, however, to reduce the risks of this particular disadvantage.

7. It requires students to understand the quality of research materials. Technology makes it easy for information to spread quickly. A recent quote from a senior cleric in Iran stated that 2,500 Iranians received U.S. citizenship while negotiating a nuclear deal with the country. The story was run in the U.S. by quoting the state-run news agency which quoted the single cleric. Once it was published in the United States, President Trump tweeted about the article, which led to it being evaluated as fact instead of what it was: a single quote from a biased individual. We must teach students the difference between a high-quality resource and a low-quality resource when researching information.

8. It can make lesson planning more difficult. If teachers are choosing technology in the classroom, then they may need to work with software vendors individually. They may be asked by their school district to apply for grants on their own time. There may be student training needs to meet when introducing the technology for the first time. Teachers will also become the IT help desk of the classroom whenever there is a question from the student. These can negate the time advantages that the other benefits are able to provide.

9. It may over-stimulate students. Access to the blue wavelength light emitted by computers may over-stimulate some students, which may lead to behaviors in the classroom. Modern computers offer a setting that can negate this light, using warm tones on the screen to lessen this effect. Glasses are available to counter this light issue as well. This does create an extra step in the learning process that some students (and parents) may not wish to follow if it involves an extra cost.

10. It reinforces concepts of inequality. In the past, socioeconomic divisions in classrooms were based on the quality of clothes or the cleanliness of the student. Today, inequality is measured by the type of technology a student is able to use for learning. Schools are not immune to this either. Some districts don’t have the cash available to fund technology in the classroom yet. That means there will always be some students who fall through the cracks, which may create a lifelong issue of always trying to play catch-up with their education.

These technology in the classroom pros and cons show that moderation is the key to its success. There are times when having access to technology is highly beneficial to everyone. Many schools also find that there are times when technology access can be a hindrance. By evaluating these key points, everyone can work to find the proper balance required for a well-rounded learning experience.

• Education Technology

20 Pros & Cons of Technology in the Classroom in 2021 [+ Free Tech Tips from Profs]

Using classroom technology is proven to increase engagement, flexibility and personalization in any face-to-face, hybrid or online course

Top Hat Staff

Technology in education is the biggest change in teaching we will ever see. For years, policy makers, teachers, parents and students alike have been weighing the potential benefits of technology in education against its risks and consequences. 

Prior to March 2020, some would say that technology allowed you to experiment in pedagogy, democratize the classroom and reach Generation Z students. Others may have argued that technology in the classroom could promote cheating. But after 2020, technology in education has become essential—especially as the COVID-19 pandemic forced higher ed and public schools to swap face-to-face instruction for distance learning. 

Below, we share 20 best practices for using technology in the classroom—and offer workable solutions that will help you meet the needs of your students. You can also download our free guide , which highlights how five acclaimed educators use technology to help their students excel in any course.

Table of Contents

• How technology can support learning outcomes for today’ students

Types of classroom technology

8 pros and cons of using technology for student engagement, 7 pros and cons of using classroom technology to increase flexibility.

• 5 pros and cons of using technology to aid instructional design
• How classroom technology can help you meet your goals next semester
• Technology in the classroom: the final verdict

How technology can support learning outcomes for today’s students

Students are digital natives. They’ve grown up with technology; it’s woven into their lives. In fact, it’s one of the basic 21st-century skills that they’ll need in school and the workplace. 

Technology integration in the classroom now begins during elementary school and carries through to high school and higher education. But using computer technology in the classroom isn’t just about digital devices in class—it relates to anything that facilitates an interaction between teacher and student. Technology in education programs could be seen as a culprit, or it could be harnessed to improve student engagement and effectiveness—and that’s what we’ll discuss below.

“Digital education is generating new learning opportunities as students engage in online, digital environments and as faculty change educational practices through the use of hybrid courses, personalized instruction, new collaboration models and a wide array of innovative, engaging learning strategies,” says David Goodrum 1 , Director of Academic Technology and Information Services at Oregon State University.

“Furthermore, a 21st century view of learner success requires students to not only be thoughtful consumers of digital content, but effective and collaborative creators of digital media, demonstrating competencies and communicating ideas through dynamic storytelling, data visualization and content curation,” Goodrum says.

Education technology allows you to engage, interact with, and inspire students in and out of your class. Plus, certain types of technology tools like podcasts or video streaming platforms can help meet the unique learning styles of your cohort. Many of the technologies below are used to operate online education programs—including lectures, labs, group meetings or class tutorials. Plenty of higher education institutions have already integrated some of the following technology tools into their degree programs today.

• Learning management systems (LMS) such as Canvas , Moodle and Blackboard allow you to manage courses, assign homework and tests, and track student grades.
• Digital courseware such as ebook products by Pearson , McGraw-Hill and Macmillan can be used to create and distribute teaching resources (such as textbooks or question packs) to students as a way to create engaging homework experiences.
• Classroom response systems including iClicker and Poll Everywhere help students reflect on their learning via polls or discussions in class.
• Virtual classroom tools like Microsoft Teams and Zoom are used to host synchronous online lectures and let participants engage in breakout rooms or ‘share their screen’ with one another.
• Remote proctoring software like Proctorio and Honorlock help maintain academic integrity by monitoring student behavior during tests and flag behavior indicative of cheating.

This article looks at the pros and cons of using technology in the classroom . We’ll also share the advantages and disadvantages of technology in the classroom when incorporating new digital teaching and assessment techniques into your lesson plans.

1. Technology in the classroom helps ensure full participation

Online polling and other digital tools help to engage all students, including shy students who wouldn’t normally raise their hands in class. Online engagement systems allow you to regularly check in with students for feedback on course materials and assignments. Student insights can also be used to help spot areas where learners might be struggling. 

Student response systems help learners measure their understanding of a topic while professors can see what areas they need to review. For instance, iClicker offers questions that may be multiple choice or true or false. Students are then asked to identify a correct answer to a question in exchange for participation points from a professor. Clickers, virtual classroom software and assessment platforms like Socrative or Kahoot! can make for great engagement tools for educators looking to enhance their lectures. Student response systems help foster digital citizenship in the classroom and give students an opportunity to engage in class and get rewarded for it at the same time.

Another active learning technique that education technology can facilitate is offering students quizzes (not for credit). At the beginning of the class, students can gauge familiarity with a subject by taking a quick, anonymous quiz on the topic you’re teaching—and this can also inform and direct what you need to focus on. At the end of the class, facilitating the same quiz again allows all students to gauge what they do and don’t understand.

2. Using technology in the classroom allows you to experiment more in pedagogy and get instant feedback

Technology allows for more active learning. You can increase engagement through online polling or asking quiz questions during online lectures, with instantaneous results. If you’re using a digital textbook, subject matter is dynamic and timely with embedded links to relevant materials or immersive multimedia. 

Whether adding a single tool for a specific project or term, or making a more dramatic change such as a flipped classroom , being well-versed in technology can help build credibility with students and even fellow colleagues. Video conferencing software, live polls and discussion boards are all ways to form feedback loops with your students. An LMS such as Moodle and polling software like Poll Everywhere can also help educators get an instant understanding of student comprehension.

3. There are countless resources for enhancing education and making learning more fun and effective

From apps and e-textbooks to organizational platforms, there’s no shortage of tools that can transform the classroom. Some instructors are turning toward classroom ‘gamification,’ the use of competitive scenarios, and the distribution of points and rewards to make the online classroom more fun and engaging. The key to ensuring these methods are also effective is designing them to support your course learning objectives. Digital storytelling, where students use simulations to immerse themselves in a fictional environment, can make learning more exciting and relatable for students. Gamification also allows for interactive lessons and can reduce passivity in the classroom. 

Some gamification activities introduce healthy competition to your class. In role play , for example, students are asked to pose arguments on behalf of historical figures. Technology can greatly aid the implementation of classroom games, while students may be incentivized to complete their assessments. Blended learning can also play an effective role here, whereby student curriculum is partially delivered in person and partially via digital means.

4. Technology makes it simple for students to collaborate and engage in group work outside of class

Gone are the days when one student was tasked with creating a PowerPoint presentation for a group. Through technology, students can start working on a project together in class and seamlessly collaborate, communicate and bounce ideas off one another using social media, interactive whiteboards and more. Physical and social barriers no longer exist, letting students work together from anywhere and at any time. Technology has also enabled students to engage in spontaneous discussions and find instant answers to problems or questions they may have about a topic.

5. Technology in the classroom can be a distraction

Tech savvy students may find it hard to concentrate in class when a wide range of digital devices are around them. It can be hard to keep students’ attention while lecturing behind a screen, but James Lang 2 , Professor of English and the Director of the D’Amour Center for Teaching Excellence at Assumption College, has a solution. Lang argues that change renews attention—meaning that if students are starting to tune out, it’s time to incorporate opportunities for class discussions. Lang calls these moments ‘signature attention activities’ as they are designed to spark engagement in the midst of a slump.

Matthew Numer, an assistant professor in the School of Health and Human Performance at Dalhousie University, says in an article for The Chronicle of Higher Education that banning laptops is an “insult” to students. “Our students are capable of making their own choices, and if they choose to check Snapchat instead of listening to your lecture, then that’s their loss. Besides, it’s my responsibility as an educator to ensure that my lecture is compelling. If my students aren’t paying attention, if they’re distracted, that’s on me.” To Numer, students glancing at their mobile devices may indicate that a course’s curriculum and instruction needs to be revamped.

This makes the notion of creating a structure and culture of respect all the more important from day one. Identify specific projects, opportunities for breaks and your intentions for participation and engagement using technology in the classroom. Creating expectations and guidelines for students—and sticking to them—will be important for them in respecting your boundaries.

6. Technology can disconnect students from social interactions

Many people are skeptical of technology and what it does to students’, and everyone else’s, ability to verbally communicate.

By creating assignments in class that use both technological tools as well as oral presentations and group collaboration, student learning has the potential to become more dynamic and interactive. Participation can also go beyond verbal communication. Consider how your LMS, discussion board or live chat can be leveraged to increase student engagement.

7. Technology can foster cheating in class and on assignments

Students have always found ways to cheat, but the digital age makes it even easier—from copying-and-pasting someone else’s work to hiring an essay-writer from an online essay mill. Here, digital technology could end up hindering students’ professional development.

While technology could be seen as yet another avenue for cheating, it’s possible to structure assignments and exams in a way that makes cheating difficult. Alternatively, you can make exams open-book and focus on problem-solving and mastery rather than retention. Some classroom software allows you to set questions that are subtly different for every student, making them focus on the technique rather than the answer. Ed tech software such as Turnitin is already well-established in most higher education settings. With COVID-19, some institutions have relied on proctoring software to maintain academic integrity from a distance. These assistive tools can help professors maintain academic integrity. 

8. Classroom technology doesn’t necessarily make students more accountable

While it can certainly help, technology use in the classroom doesn’t always mean students are more likely to stay on top of their deliverables. For example, it can be tricky to know if your students are viewing the full lecture recordings or coming to class having completed their assigned readings. Social media and other ed tech platforms don’t necessarily indicate completion. Some LMS providers may show if a student has opened a file, but that only says so much. Whether students have reviewed, absorbed and are able to retain that information is a question that—like traditional learning materials—not all classroom tech can solve.

9. Technology can automate a lot of your tedious tasks

Automation can speed up tedious, time-consuming tasks, such as keeping track of student attendance and performance. Engagement tools can help streamline grading for writing assignments, discussions and participation, as well as answer common student questions, which otherwise could seem daunting due to their objective nature.

The canonical example of this? One professor at Georgia Tech coded an artificially intelligent teaching assistant. ‘ Jill Watson ’ was able to answer a selection of student questions and pass any that she couldn’t handle to a real person. Integrating technology in the classroom has the potential to reduce the amount of time spent on minor tasks.

10. Technology in college classrooms gives students instant access to fresh information that can supplement their learning experience

There is value in having textbooks and course materials that are always up to date, which can even include additions suggested by students. This also fosters a more collaborative learning environment—students can share information, work together on group projects and interact with their instructor online. Collaboration between professors and their students is put into practice through a learning management system (LMS) such as Moodle or Blackboard, where professors upload new content for students to review online. 

Educational technology enables students to engage in an ongoing cycle of learning: before, during and after class. Student response systems such as clickers can also help learners apply their understanding of concepts covered in class and can indicate areas that need to be reviewed. For Generation Z, technology is arguably the best way to meet student needs. Demian Hommel , Senior Instructor of Geography and Environmental Sciences and Marine Resource Management at Oregon State University, uses a classroom response system to poll students every few minutes during lectures. “Using technology to help students understand the trends and patterns that are going to affect them is transformative,” he says.

“Using technology to help students understand the trends and patterns that are going to affect them is transformative.” —Professor Demian Hommel

11. Students have the choice to learn in real time or at their own pace

Using technology in the classroom has given students more choice in, and control over, their learning experiences. Learning tools have also given professors the flexibility in how to deliver their lectures or labs. For instance, students can tune into live-streamed lectures hosted at a specific time, while others can view lecture recordings on their own if they’re unable to attend a live session. Plus, real-time lessons in online learning can help students feel a great sense of belonging and camaraderie that would otherwise be lost. 

Asynchronous learning provides a new level of flexibility for both students and educators. For example, instead of waiting for students to show up at your office, host your office hours via Zoom and let your students know that they’re free to drop by during a given time frame. Additionally, technology can be used to help students take asynchronous tests. Just make a test available on your LMS for a 48-hour period so that students can take their assessment at a time and place that works for them.

12. Address the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) guidelines with thoughtful technology use

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a framework for ensuring your course delivery meets the needs of all students. It’s the ultimate way to provide flexibility in how, when and where learning takes place. The three tenets of this framework are providing multiple means of engagement, representation and expression. 

In order to represent content in a variety of ways, you might consider complementing a textbook reading with a podcast. Alternatively, multiple ways of expressing students’ understanding could mean offering students learning opportunities through journal articles or video reflections. Finally, multiple forms of engagement might mean gauging students’ interests at the start of the term through icebreakers or a student interest inventory—and then use these insights to tailor your units of study accordingly.

13. Lesson planning might become more labor-intensive with technology

The task of adapting technology into your classroom can seem daunting or overwhelming. In many ways though, using technology can become as natural to you as any daily activity.

When you’re choosing classroom technology, it’s important to engage with the software vendor and make sure you have the appropriate level of support in place. Some questions you should ask include whether they supply training or onboarding, and what their reliability statistics and support functions are. After all, you don’t need to be the person all the students come to if the technology goes offline.

The most important factor is to allow yourself time to learn how to use a new ed tech tool and make sure you ask for, and receive, the support that you need.

14. Students don’t have equal access to technological resources

An online education should be accessible to students. But some students can’t afford iPads or even the textbooks required for class. Others simply do not have reliable Internet access. Point these students in the direction of your institution’s library or community resources, or create assignments that allow them to work in groups and share resources. You might also consider using open educational resources (OER), which provide a cost-effective alternative to the traditional college textbook. Don’t make technology the focus of your class, and don’t make it a barrier. Incorporate it in a holistic and inclusive manner—and ensure you do your part to find equitable learning solutions.

15. Technology in education can create privacy concerns

Video conferencing or web-hosting solutions have brought with them some concerns around data protection. For example, do platforms offer end-to-end encryption in basic plans provided to students? Social media handles set up as part of a tutorial or learning activity can also lead to student information being accessed by a wider audience than intended. What’s more, Zoombombing—disruptive intrusions into a video conference call—became a common occurrence during the COVID-19 pandemic.

And though they maintain academic integrity, remote proctoring solutions can make test-takers feel uncomfortable. Students may not want to have their homes shown in front of a proctor and being monitored can increase stress and anxiety.

5 pros and cons of using technology to aid instructional design 

16. we live in a digital world, and technology is an essential life skill.

Being digitally literate is more than obtaining “isolated technological skills,” according to the NMC Horizon Report: 2017 Higher Education Edition . Rather, it’s about “generating a deeper understanding of the digital environment, enabling intuitive adaptation to new contexts and [the] co-creation of content with others.” Here, the traditional whiteboard is almost extinct, while technology has never been more essential in the virtual classroom. Creating presentations, learning to differentiate reliable from unreliable sources on the Internet and maintaining proper online netiquette are all vital skills that students will learn to develop in the classroom. 

Technology use can also help universities deliver a better return on the investment students pay for their education—as well as make learning relevant to a primarily Generation Z audience. Mobile technology in classrooms is a must-have if students want to be prepared for almost any career today. Student achievement may be boosted if they have the means to continue working on projects outside of the classroom.

17. Classroom technology is a cost-effective alternative to traditional course materials

Technology can help save students hundreds during a semester. Rather than asking students to buy a copy of five different textbooks, some professors might want to direct students to their institution’s library or adopt open source textbooks. 

Using technology in the classroom has its benefits for the environment as well. Institutions can reduce the amount they spend on ink and paper by distributing important documents in a centralized digital location. As opposed to asking students to buy a print book from your campus bookstore, authoring your own digital, interactive book can help students save big. Katie Thompson-Laswell , Senior Instructor of Human Development and Family Science at Kansas State University, was able to save her students $70 on course materials in the spring 2019 semester. Two years later, new cohorts of students continue to enjoy a low-cost, interactive homework experience from anywhere.

18. The quality of research and sources students find may not be credible

The Internet is a blessing and a curse. Your students may need guidance on identifying legitimate and unreliable sources. Many colleges have writing centers that can help with this. You can also use OER—ranging from lecture notes, examinations, assignments and textbooks—and adapt them to fit the needs of your course and students. How can you tell if content is written by a competent authority? Use these tips to find effective OERs . Top Hat’s Catalog—filled with hundreds of low-cost, interactive textbooks—is also a reliable source of OER you can use, regardless of your discipline or teaching modality.

19. Some classroom technologies could eventually replace professors

Classroom technology has helped position educators as a ‘guide on the side’ versus a ‘sage on the stage.’ But that shift in the role that professors play has the potential to put them on the sidelines—especially with online learning. Technology has automated many learning processes such as grading. With asynchronous online learning especially, it’s possible that students could now have little-to-no interactions with their educators compared to their experiences in the traditional classroom.

Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), which prioritize unlimited participation and open access, let students gain an unrestricted learning experience without a professor present. Platforms like Coursera let students watch on-demand video lectures from leading universities and companies for a fraction of the cost of a university degree. These platforms even offer selective degree and certificate programs. Other platforms like LinkedIn Learning prioritize skill-based learning, which allows students to complete courses or learning modules at their own pace—without the guidance of an instructor.

20. Institutions’ lack of IT support can make it challenging to evaluate and implement new classroom technologies

Where do you begin if you’re new to teaching? Educators may understandably feel overwhelmed when adopting new tools and platforms to meet the needs of their Generation Z students. While colleges may have a site-wide license for a particular LMS, educators are often left to their own resources to decide how to bring their material to life. Depending on the scale and quality of instructional design services offered at their institution, this can be a lengthy and uneasy process.

How classroom technology can help you meet your teaching goals next semester 

This past academic year has highlighted the essential role that technology plays in student learning. No matter where you’re teaching next semester, the best practices for using classroom technology below can help make your course more engaging, interactive and active. For additional advice, download our free guide on how to effectively use technology in your next face-to-face, hybrid or online classroom.

Technology in the classroom: The final verdict

It’s clear that the benefits of technology in the classroom outweigh the cons. But the key to technology in the classroom is always going to be the teacher-student relationship, because that’s where the education happens. Technology can be a highly effective tool, but that’s all it is—a tool. In today’s hyper-connected world, sensible use of technology can enhance education. By using technology as an aid in the classroom, educators can create memorable and impactful learning outcomes for their diverse group of college students. For best practices on how to integrate technology in your classroom next semester, download our free guide packed with tips and tools five professors have used to give their course delivery a boost.

• Kelly, R. (2018, January 11). 7 Ed Tech Trends to Watch in 2018. https://campustechnology.com/Articles/2018/01/11/7-Ed-Tech-Trends-to-Watch-in-2018.aspx?Page=1
• Dhami, H. (2020, August 13). James Lang’s Distracted: Why Students Can’t Focus and What You Can Do About It. [Blog post]. https://tophat.com/blog/james-lang-distracted/

Recommended Readings

10 Top Hat Tips for a More Engaging Semester

Clickers: The Ultimate Guide [UPDATED 2023]

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Trauma-Informed Practices in Schools

Teacher well-being, cultivating diversity, equity, & inclusion, integrating technology in the classroom, social-emotional development, covid-19 resources, invest in resilience: summer toolkit, civics & resilience, all toolkits, degree programs, trauma-informed professional development, teacher licensure & certification, how to become - career information, classroom management, instructional design, lifestyle & self-care, online higher ed teaching, current events, debating the use of digital devices in the classroom.

While many parents allow children free reign of the internet at home, it’s a common debate in education circles on how —and if —digital devices should be allowed at school.

Supporters of technology in the classroom say that using laptops, tablets, and cellphones in the classroom can keep students engaged. Technology is what they know. Most students today don’t even remember a time without the internet.

But critics say it’s yet another distraction in the classroom. From social media to texting, allowing digital devices could hinder a student’s performance in the classroom.

Read on to discover the main arguments surrounding the global debate on digital devices and their place in our schools.

Pros of digital devices in the classroom

• Peace of mind:  Cellphones and smartphones can offer parents a little more peace of mind when their children are at school. Parents know that in an emergency the student can contact them, or vice versa. In addition, more and more cellphones and smartphones contain GPS devices that can be tracked if necessary.
• Instant answers:  Access to the internet provides instant answers for the curious. This is the search-and-learn environment kids are involved in today. Now, when they want to know “Why do leaves change color,” they are only a search away from an answer. This also gives students the ability to get an answer to a question they may feel uncomfortable asking in class. If a teacher uses a term they don’t understand, they can find the answer discretely, and without interrupting the class.
• Wider access to information:  With internet access, children can be exposed to a world of creative ideas outside of their bubble. They can learn other languages, teach themselves how to draw, knit, or play chess. They have access to an endless array of options available to help them learn, and gain skills they might not otherwise be exposed to. All of this can be accomplished through a  smartphone, which can be a valuable learning tool , if used correctly.
• Access to video:  Electronic devices in the classroom can enhance the learning experience by providing instant video access. Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech is not just something to read about. Man’s first step on the moon, early flight, presidential speeches, bridges being built—they all are made more real and easier to digest in the form of instant video availability.
• Wide range of music available:  Sure, you might think of kids listening to their pop, hip-hop, and rap music on digital devices, but remember that all music is available. This gives students access to classical, jazz, big band, and early rock ‘n’ roll. Students could have the opportunity to compare and discuss the differences in these styles in a way that is familiar to them.
• Social learning: Social media can have a negative connotation when you link it to kids. However, there can be an educational aspect. Social learning is a great way for students to share information, thoughts, and ideas on a subject. Properly focused, quieter, and shyer students may blossom in a social learning situation made possible by digital devices.
• Teacher advancement:  Finding ways to effectively utilize digital devices in the classroom provides teachers with an opportunity to advance their skillset and grow with their students. Many teachers are taking their digital literacy to the next level by earning an  master’s degree in education technology .

Cons of digital devices in the classroom

• Harmful effects of digital devices:  There are concerns from the EPA about long-term exposure to wireless devices and computer screens . While there is no direct evidence of harmful effects, the EPA discourages too much exposure for students who have video screens in front of their faces or computers in their laps. If students frequently use these devices at home, additional exposure at school could be viewed as harmful.
• Inappropriate materials:  While schools can limit the availability of websites that can be viewed on their network, students may find links that slipped through the system. There will also be times that students will not be accessing the internet through a monitored network.
• Distraction from schoolwork:  With the temptation of social media and texting in their hands, students may focus solely on their social life instead of the lesson plan.
• Child predators:  Child predators are a problem everywhere. Using digital devices at school creates just that much more exposure and potential danger for students.
• Cyberbulling : This is an increasing issue that’s grown exponentially in recent years. Permitting use of digital devices in the classroom could potentially lead to more of it.
• Provide a disconnect:  While some believe digital devices make for greater connections for students, there are also those who believe too much time with digital devices disconnects students from face-to-face social activities, family communications, and nature. Digital devices in the classroom could lead to an even greater disconnect.
• Could widen the gap : Technology spending varies greatly across the nation. Some schools have the means to address the digital divide so that all of their students have access to technology and can improve their technological skills. Meanwhile, other schools still struggle with their computer-to-student ratio and/or lack the means to provide economically disadvantaged students with loaner iPads and other devices so that they can have access to the same tools and resources that their classmates have at school and at home.

Should schools permit digital devices?

Some school districts have seen great improvements by allowing digital devices in the classroom. One thing is clear: if digital devices are permitted, there should be guidelines and rules in place .

Students need to be taught online safety, the use of judgment in determining good quality sources of information, and restraint from personal use in the classroom. In other words, they need to learn all about digital literacy and  digital citizenship .

There are many resources for teaching these concepts, and a great place to start is the International Society for Technology in Education  (ISTE). Their   comprehensive standards  focus on  the skills and qualities students should have in order to be successful in the digital world. ISTE also teamed up with Google and developed an online digital citizenship game called  Interland . It educates kids about digital citizenship in interactive ways. Students learn how to be good digital citizens as well as how to combat hackers, phishers, oversharers, and bullies.

If a school is going to allow and/or encourage the use of digital devices in the classroom, then teachers also need proper support in terms of training, professional development, and curriculum. They can start with curriculum and PD resources such as those provided by   Common Sense Media , but in order to fully utilize them, teachers need time to plan and collaborate. Digital devices should only be used when there are specific goals in mind, focusing on student safety, digital citizenship, critical thinking, collaboration, advancement, and equity.

You may also like to read

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Categorized as: Tips for Teachers and Classroom Resources

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Technology Use in Classrooms: Pros and Cons Essay

Entering the era of information technology means incorporating modern media as tools for data acquisition and analysis in every single domain, including education. However, the promotion of modern media as essential tools for teaching and learning may have its disadvantages.

A detailed study of the key effects of modern media in education, therefore, is required. As long as the use of modern media by students is controlled by teachers and occurs as a part of the lesson and not the focus thereof, the specified tools can be viewed as a means of enhancing the learning process and improving the performance of students.

Among the key benefits of the use of modern media in classrooms, the fact that technology serves as essential aid in the course of acquiring new skills and learning new information deserves to be mentioned. In order to acquire new information and process it quickly, learners need supporting material, which in most cases must include both visual and audio elements.

While watching a video can be viewed as an alternative to incorporating modern media into the curriculum, one still has to admit that traditional media lacks an essential element, which is the opportunity for learners to interact with the source of information.

Modern media, in its turn, has solved this problem, providing students a chance to use an interactive interface in order to learn new information quickly. Indeed, a closer look at the modern media will reveal that most software used for learning purposes presupposes that students should be able to interact with the program (Dabbagh & Kitsantas, 2011).

Another important benefit that modern media provides is the fact that the learners are capable of accessing the necessary information easily. It should be kept in mind, though, that the benefit in question needs to be taken with a grain of salt. It is rather doubtful that students, especially young learners, are capable of identifying which information is useful for them, which can be skipped, an which data is downright harmful.

Therefore, unlimited access to information, which the introduction of modern technologies into the classroom environment allows for, should be controlled by the teacher. The control executed by the latter will help students filter the information that they will come across, showing them how to locate the data that can be used for further studies.

It should be kept in mind, though, that the use of technologies in classroom may also pose a range of threats to a successful learning process once misused. To be more exact, technology, especially modern one, may easily become a distraction for students and keep them away from the actual focus of the lesson.

The specified problem becomes especially obvious once social media is introduced into the curriculum and the discussion of the key topics and themes is transferred from the classroom environment into forums. Unless the teacher plays an active part in the discussion process and steers the conversation the designated way, students may easily go off the track and engage in the communication that does not serve any studies related purpose.

Apart from the specified problem, technology may also contribute to the enhancement of cheating rates among the students. First and most obvious, having access to the Internet and not being controlled by the teacher in their surfing process, students may easily start searching for cheats to their tests and the answers to the questions that they are supposed to answer in the course of the lesson on their own. As a result, learners acquire very little information and are incapacitated of training their skills.

The specified problem, in fact, is much more serious than it might seem at the first glance. While cheating during a test might seem as an innocent attempt at escaping a poor grade, it sets the student’s mind frame at using easy solutions to addressing the problems that require their mental resources.

In other words, the online cheating tools, which learners become open to once technology is introduced into the curriculum, destroys the notion of learning as the teacher represents it to the students. Therefore, technology may disrupt the process of learning to the point where students may fail to acquire the skills that will enhance their further self-directed learning (Ni, 2013).

It should be noted, though, that the two problems described above can be addressed with the help of the teacher’s supervision and a provision of detailed instructions, as well as enhancement of ethical principles in the educational environment under analysis.

Once the students are introduced to the concept of responsibility (Manian, 2013), they will be able to realise that cheating on attest will only harm their further development as learners. Similarly, the principles of responsibility will help learners refrain from abusing the freedom that the teacher provides them with once they communicate online during the lesson.

The incorporation of technology into the school curriculum opens a range of opportunities for learners, yet it also poses quite tangible threats to the success of their learning. It is imperative that the teacher should adopt the right teaching approach to motivate learners and foster the idea of self-directed learning in each and every student.

Reference List

Dabbagh, N. & Kitsantas, A. (2011). Personal Learning Environments, social media, and self-regulated learning: A natural formula for connecting formal and informal learning. Internet and Higher Education, 15 (1), 3–8.

Manian, C. (2013). Designing student oriented e-learning environments in higher education to match technological trends. International Journal on Integrating Technology in Education (IJITE), 2 (3), 1–11.

Ni, L. B. (2013). Self-directed learning: Teacher and computer technology assist. IRACST – International Journal of Computer Networks and Wireless Communications, 3 (2), 62–66.

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• Dorothea Orem's Philosophy of Self-Directed Care
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Pros and cons of technology in the classroom, and which tools to use

Technology in Education has been among us for a long while, and due to the Covid-19 pandemic, technology-based teaching took a sprint. But let’s face it, it has not always been for the better. This article delves into the pros and cons of technology in the classroom.

Recent surveys among students show that they are longing for going back to class, to meet their fellow students and have face-to-face conversations instead of staring at a screen. Teachers have shared that they are experiencing something called technology-fatigue, and instead of embracing a potential positive solution, they have a deep desire for going back to class too.

We do not claim that online teaching is better than face-to-face, however we all know that with using the right technology for the right purpose, disruptive learning environments are now made possible. So, what are we doing wrong – how come we have reached this technology-fuelled online teaching fatigue? Let’s take a deeper look into some “situational” pros and cons of technology in the classroom.

INVEST IN EDUCATION TOOLKIT With this 10-step process, you will have all the tools you need to master the critical areas of a successful school.

Teach with video (killed the radio star).

Videos are engaging, they limit the amount of reading materials and speed up the content delivery. If well done, they also help with understanding complex matters, and can bring fun and more interesting learning experiences. Using video teaching content in class or as an asynchronous tool, it requests different production, content, and call to action.

Although there are also a lot of good videos out there that can support your learning materials, it is rather simple nowadays to create your own. Even without having the most expensive high-tech in house. If you create your own, it does require some technique to avoid boring formats, bad sound or visual quality. Bad production means the video risks being a hindrance rather than bringing you any helpful benefits.

Here are a few of the best inexpensive video creation tools for teachers:

• Most likely, your mobile phone, your computer software package or your LMS have an instant video recording feature. This may limit you for editing, but it works well if you make sure the camera captures the right image and the sound quality is good.
• Camtasia, an easy tool. It includes easy editing and animation tools https://www.techsmith.com/tutorial-camtasia.html
• Vimeo, video creation made easy and fun, and the tool has a lot of examples to give you ideas, https://vimeo.com/create.

Furthermore, be careful not to overkill one format and use video ALL the time. Take into consideration what the video is used for: is it replacing something, adding something, increasing the understanding or engagement? A simple audio piece, podcast, a reference, or a discussion as a means of delivering learning content is still recommended.  

• Video is engaging and fun, it triggers more senses and can enhance learning.
• Video can help in explaining difficult subject matters.
• Video reduces the time of reading and allows you to “instruct” asynchronously.
• Creating a good quality educational video can be time-consuming.
• Overkill of video content is not what students want; bad videos are even more distracting.
• If not used well, video does not always have a significant outcome or impact on learning.

Best tools and platforms for teaching: Lost in a jungle

Padlet, Google Doc, Miro, - Canva, Poll Everywhere, Quizlet, - MS Team, Skype, Zoom - the use of certain tools and the integration in our daily teaching has exploded. All these tools do not only take time to understand and integrate, but are also confusing for the student. Variations are good, however it is essential to create some consistency in which tools we select for assessment, communication, discussion, etc. Also, keeping structure and consistency of integrated tools in your LMS, means less time lost in the need to explore new tools. If a tool has the same functionality, do not start exploring for alternatives. Make a decision on which tool is best for what function and share among teachers, or even better, allow management to decide which tools are used and which not.

This also avoids major differences between the teaching methods of tech-savvy faculty and those who struggle with using MS teams for a group connect session. In this case, it is really the technology that is used as a support element, not as a disruptive tool to enhance learning outcomes. Meaning, spend as little time as needed to re-invent the wheel.

• Creativity and diversity in communication and group work can enhance learning.
• Some tools have proven to be essential in this remote teaching time and allow a-synchronous and synchronous teaching.
• Tools allow the use different types of assessment and could fit well within the concept of active learning.
• New tools take time and investment. Some variations only allow limited amount of free trials.
• When the tool is not essential for what needs to be achieved, we may question it in general.
• Overkill of online quizzes and Padlet’s has quickly ruined the surprise effect and the collaboration of enthusiasts.

Bottom-line investment in technology for the classroom: money & time

Teachers spend a lot of time working “outside” of actual teaching; technology has the potential to save some time in repetitive or not “core related” tasks. Whether we seek the potential in an automated marking tool, using digital content to transmit knowledge, use video conferencing from home, using and re-using pre-made activities in a digital setting; all in all, there is a huge potential and variety to actually save time and save money. In many environments, Covid-19 has brought variable costs even more to the surface. Technology could help cut back on “hidden” costs.

But before it comes to that, it requires an enormous investment of time, patience, and money. Before using new technology, each teacher has to dive in, practice and become confident in using it in the teaching-approach. Often, no extra time is given, compensated for, or there is simply no time to invest in understanding and using new technology. Therefore, it is hugely important to determine “nice-to-have” versus “essential benefit” in adopting a new tool or service.  

When deciding on certain technology and implementation, it is also important to have user-friendly tools, whereby technology and user support is guaranteed either from the supplier or from your “in house” IT support team. If neither are available, limit your time on exploring new tools and systems, as eventually this does not lead to money or time savings.

Change and improvements require time investment and support on all levels, It will lead to fewer frustrations and ambiguity once you know why you are making the investment (money or time) first. It will also mirror positivity on the students, as once it is clear why certain decision have been made and changes are implemented, they will also experience the benefits.

• Technology can save time and resources.
• Technology can help teachers to focus on their core tasks.
• The right set-up and tools will enhance the learning environment for teacher and student.
• It costs time and money, continued support and updates.
• Resources require support and understanding before it “works”.
• Due to technology, the role of the teacher is assessed and monitored differently and when not adjusted, this can impact quality.

Technology can be collaborative even when we’re far apart

It is clear that all technology strategies in teaching don’t always make a difference to learning outcomes, let alone enhancement of student learning. Technology does not create better students and unfortunately, it also does not create better teachers. It could even do the opposite.

Therefore, the education sector is in a unique situation as remote teaching was enforced in the academic year 2019/20 when the pandemic took hold, and still is ongoing in most countries (where COVID-19 restrictions apply or where students have not been able to travel yet). If we do not embrace and integrate technology for a disruptive purpose, we need at least to make sure it is supporting us in our teaching practices. 

For example, there are technology solutions that still give us great advantage in remote sessions with our students and enforce collaboration. Here are some examples of the best technology solutions for collaboration:

• MS team breakout rooms
• Google shared documents
• enhanced discussions via LMS communication tools
• integrated video to reduce lecturing and reading, etc.

Technology can still add something meaningful, regardless if you are forced to teach remotely or if you are back in the classroom. Used correctly, it can enhance engagement, motivation, broaden the perspective of new sources online, help with student-centered learning and promote digital savviness among students. Technology in the classroom means students get to learn new ways of research, gathering sources, collaboration, documentation, communication, participatory media, etc.

Technology that has no clear objective for either your benefit or for the entire organization should be given very little attention until it is framed within an overall strategy.

• Teaching that otherwise would not have been possible.
• Technology has broadened our horizons, has given us worldwide communication, collaboration, and resource sharing that otherwise was not possible during the pandemic.
• Due to the big shift, we have accelerated in our “need” to change traditional educational environments.
• Technology may have increased loneliness, isolation, digital discrimination and other impacts that we could not have planned.
• We feel lost and uncertain if and how to integrate technology wisely when our situation goes back to normal.
• We may have spent a lot of time and energy on things that have not enhanced learning, reduced costs, or increased efficiency.

Is it right to bring technology into the classroom?

Technology has immense potential for education, but it makes only a significant difference if used “correctly” and / OR if the strategy of the organization has brought up a clear rational for the use of technology

If not used properly, or lacking a distinct rationale, it is understandable that many teachers would want to go back to “the old days” as the new setting has not been satisfying learners or educators alike. Maybe a mistake for educators and school leaders is to think: What can I do with technology? Asking that question will most likely lead to dissatisfaction, as opposed to "What can this technology do for me?" This question may bring back the pros needed to successfully integrate technology into the classroom and mitigate any cons outlined in this article.

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Pros and Cons of Technology in The Classroom Essay

Technology has revolutionized the way we learn and teach, and it has become an essential part of education. In the classroom, technology can be used to create more interactive and engaging learning experiences, customize learning to individual student needs, and increase access to educational resources. However, it is important to use technology thoughtfully and responsibly to maximize its benefits and minimize its potential drawbacks.

One of the main benefits of technology in the classroom is access to information. With the internet and other digital resources, teachers and students can access vast amounts of information and educational materials on any topic. This makes it easier for teachers to create engaging and informative lessons and for students to explore new subjects that may not have been available to them before. With the help of technology, students can access online libraries, educational software, and interactive content, which can make learning more fun and interesting.

Another advantage of technology in the classroom is the ability to customize learning to individual student needs. With technology, teachers can tailor instruction to the needs of each student, providing targeted feedback and support that can help them succeed. This can include using educational apps and other tools to track student progress and engagement, streamline grading and assessment, and automate administrative tasks. By customizing learning to individual student needs, teachers can help students achieve their full potential and improve their academic performance.

Pros of Technology in The Classroom Essay

Access to Information: Technology provides students with access to a vast array of information and educational resources, making it easier for them to research and learn about new topics. With the help of technology, students can access online libraries, educational software, and interactive content, which can make learning more fun and interesting.

Customized Learning: Technology allows teachers to personalize learning to individual student needs, providing targeted feedback and support that can help students succeed. This can include using educational apps and other tools to track student progress and engagement, streamline grading and assessment, and automate administrative tasks. By customizing learning to individual student needs, teachers can help students achieve their full potential and improve their academic performance.

Interactive Learning: Technology can be used to create more engaging and interactive learning experiences, using tools such as virtual reality, simulations, and educational games. By making lessons more interactive and fun, teachers can engage students and increase their interest in learning.

Collaboration: Technology makes it easier for students to collaborate with each other and with their teachers, allowing them to share ideas, work together on projects, and receive feedback. This can help develop important skills such as teamwork, communication, and problem-solving, which can be valuable for future academic and professional success.

Cons of Technology in The Classroom Essay

Potential for Distraction: One of the main concerns with technology in the classroom is the potential for distraction. Technology can be a major source of distraction for students, especially when used for non-educational purposes, such as social media or gaming. Teachers need to ensure that students are using technology appropriately and focus on educational activities.

Over-Reliance on Technology: Over-reliance on technology may reduce students' critical thinking skills and their ability to solve problems without technological aids. Teachers should ensure that students develop critical thinking skills and learn how to solve problems through a variety of methods.

Cost: Integrating technology into the classroom can be expensive, with costs ranging from software licenses to hardware upgrades. This can be a challenge for schools and teachers who are already operating on limited budgets.

Technological Issues: Technical issues such as slow internet connections, software malfunctions, and hardware problems can disrupt learning and cause frustration for students and teachers.

In conclusion, technology has its pros and cons in the classroom. While it can provide students with access to information, customized learning, and interactive learning experiences, it can also be a source of distraction and over-reliance on technology. Teachers need to use technology thoughtfully and responsibly to minimize potential drawbacks and maximize its benefits. By doing so, they can help students achieve their full potential and succeed in their academic and professional lives.

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19 Pros and Cons of Technology in Education

Last Updated on March 11, 2021 by Filip Poutintsev

Since the development of the modern internet in 1989, it has become easier for anyone to communicate, exchange and find information. The use of technology in Education will expand access to education also creating opportunities for communication and collaboration.

Introducing technology to students in a classroom setting can certainly help the educational environment, but it also requires equal access for all students to ensure that everyone receives the same opportunities to succeed.

Many believe that the use of technology literally hinders the steps of learning. They are largely becoming dependent on technology for their assignments rather than using their cerebrum for the thought process. However, there are many who are significantly improving with the use of technology to support learning .

Pros Of Technology In Education

Technology can bring classroom excitement.

Gone are the days when the only tools for teaching are limited to books, a blackboard or whiteboard, and chalk or markers. So, it’s clear what the students would prefer and be more excited and curious to use technology rather than attending and just listening to the teachers.

With technology integrated into education, teachers can now incorporate images, videos, and other graphics when delivering lessons. They would love to use and do their works and presentations on laptops, tablets and other similar devices and use the software.

Easy to track progress & behavior

The tracking progress of the students, as well as their syllabus with the teacher’s performances at the same time, is also difficult for the institution to handle.

In this case, technology will be quite helpful with certain grading related software, where all the data can be kept and manage single-handedly and keep updating the performance. It makes the task easy and time-consuming with less manpower.

Provide instant access to information

If they are unable to understand in the classroom, they can give themselves a chance by watching explanation videos on the internet. This way they build confidence in themselves, when they go to class tomorrow they will only ask for an answer but can start with the question.

Help students improve their presentation skills

As the internet keeps on growing, students need to know how to maintain a good online presence and be able to connect with other students through emails and other social platforms.

Modern learning is about collaborating with others, solving complex problems, critical thinking, developing different forms of communication and leadership skills, and improving motivation and productivity.

Opportunities to explore future

Technology provides them to explore different fields and faculties they think of to achieve their life.

Even if they can read and see expertise advice and comments from experienced people on how to achieve success. And are able to talk directly to the consultant/college/person himself, where no ambiguity would be left for them in the future when the time comes if vision or concept is clear.

Updated to the external world

With exposure to technology while at school, students will be less intimidated by technology in the future . They will be knowing about the new inventions, discoveries, geographical as well as political issues.

How to act, how to react, the situation of the world. Knowing about the study is ok, but understanding the whole thing going around all over the world seems very knowledgeable.

Beneficial for teachers

With countless online resources, technology can help improve teaching. Teachers can use different apps or trusted online resources to enhance the traditional ways of teaching and to keep students more engaged.

Virtual lesson plans, grading software and online assessments can help teachers save a lot of time. This valuable time can be used for working with students who are struggling. What is more, having virtual learning environments in schools enhances collaboration and knowledge sharing between teachers.

Other tools available for teachers include Smart Boards (interactive whiteboards), email, Skype , and PowerPoint .

Teacher student-friendly

Most students don’t like to go to school if they feel like they are wasting their time. When there is technology allowed in the classroom, then teachers have an opportunity to let kids work at a pace that suits them the best without disturbing others.

Many of the programs that encourage learning also issue rewards or award certificates, which helps to make the lessons fun as well.

Administration and parent relation

Even day to day information can be relayed to parents nowadays if they needed it. Teachers and administration can solve the issues of children and provide a facility to special children who need it.

Even parents can have good communication with staff and teachers about the problem his/her child has in school or about the particular subject. In this three-way relationship maintained by technology is gonna help students and teachers the most and provide confidence to the parents that their children are in the right hands.

Encourages the development of new teaching methods

Rather than spend an hour or so talking while the students listen, or have them read an entire chapter in silence, teachers and professors now have the option to use advanced teaching methods, such as podcasts, blogs, and social media.

Technology also presents universal tools that enable teachers to educate all types of students, including those who are struggling or have special needs.

Cons Of Technology In Education

Distraction.

Students can be distracted easily if they gain access to the social media site or star tweeting and using chat apps during the classroom.

Nowadays the sincerity is lacking in learners as most of the lessons can be easily accessible to them online through different websites on their computers which are making them inattentive in classrooms or making the most skip schools frequently.

It results in most of the students relying on the computer rather than their teacher for studying.

Impact on Skill Development

When teachers give easy tasks like essays, tests or reports, students can easily find that information online and copy them. In other words, it has hampered brain development.

It was to sharpen the brain why education was needed but nowadays addicted to one certain pattern making it a habit not looking for alternatives. For e.g. they are using a calculator avoiding the benefits of manual calculation, and As on one hand its benefiting students, it’s also depriving them of the associated valuable benefits.

With most schools accepting electronic submission of answers or essays, students no longer need to be spelling and grammar usage.

Impact in Health

It affects their eyesight and it’s hard for brian to relax and unwind if stayed too long in front of a computer screen. Other symptoms include eye pain, neck pain, back pain, tiredness.

It makes our brain dull and unable to function because of our dependency on technology. When children sit for too long during the day, then they face health challenges that adults do when not getting enough exercise.

There can be problems with obesity , hyperactivity , muscle fatigue , sleeping problems , and metabolism issues with prolonged sitting.

No equal access to technological resources

Some students even the school’s can’t afford all the resources to facilitate learning. Some students may experience difficulty in using the internet. The electrical outrage, slow internet, loss of data from the system, system formatting many being the issues for this problem.

This grows frustration in students changing the environment of the classroom and their life. It’s hard for them to stabilize themselves, and survive in this hard and high-tech world, which may be very harmful to their future.

Can diminish the overall value of in-person education

Although research on online learning did not establish a direct link to how personal interaction affects a student’s performance, data gathered did show that those who enrolled in online courses have higher chances of failing, dropping out of classes, and are less likely to benefit from them.

This may have something to do with the fact that lessons delivered online or through digital resources lack the face-to-face interaction between teachers and students that provides a more personal experience.

It can replace the teacher

Online Courses have been using learning tools to provide education to students. where the program itself is a teacher. Everything is managed in a systematic way and it follows the procedure which makes it easy for the learners.

They can be in touch with their teacher and solve the problem right away and can access 24/7 as tools never go off. Teachers may never become obsolete, but technology in the classroom can replace much of what they have done in the past already.

That means the future of teaching may lie in being involved in the creation of new technologies instead of designing a personalized curriculum to implement.

Certainly there is some difficulty in distinguishing between reliable and unreliable sources from the internet.

When the student searches for an answer to a question, or does research and study, he does not delve deeply into the search for information on the correct manner, but relies on superficial information that cures the answer a bit, and is less likely to be found in libraries where there are books and references where the correct information is available.

Incorrect information is not monitored, so the Internet does not answer the questions that may be raised by the learner, or student.

Less social interactions

Online colleges have been introduced, where you can share your work with your friends and talk to your teacher, who or what can be faked easily. This may even create risk for their life and isolation may even hamper their personal relationship or status in society.

Depending on technology for classroom assignments will affect the social interactions among the students who spend more time isolated from others.

Security concerns

Security is one of the most significant challenges of having technology in the classroom, and it is the reason why many schools have decided against using this tool in the past.

Most students are not malicious when using technology in the classroom, but they are curious about what they can find online. If your network grants them admin access in any way, even if it is not published or widely known, you can bet at least one person is going to figure out that gap to exploit it.

It is up to each faculty to ensure that role-based access controls are in place on every computer so that you always know who, what, when, and how connections to your network occur.

References:

https://www.ed.gov/oii-news/use-technology-teaching-and-learning

https://www.aft.org/ae/spring2016/debruyckere-kirschner-and-hulshof

https://education.stateuniversity.com/pages/2495/Technology-in-Education-SCHOOL.html

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Home » Education » Pros and Cons of Technology in the Classroom Essay

Pros and Cons of Technology in the Classroom Essay

The key to writing a compelling essay that addresses both the positives and negatives of technology in the classroom is to know your audience. A good essay should have its facts, figures, and arguments well-supported with proof. By knowing your audience and the way you are going to discuss technology in the classroom, you will be much more successful in this essay writing task. Here are some tips to help you write your next essay about technology in the classroom.

Before writing your essay, choose your topic carefully. Make sure it has already been written in another essay or book by someone else. Once you choose the topic you need to write your essay about, make sure you research and gather facts that are relevant to that topic. The more you know about the topic, the better your essay will be.

If your topic is about technology in the classroom, what is your opinion on the way technology in schools is currently being used? What do you think is the best technology for use in a school setting? What can technology learn from? How does technology impact learning in a school setting? These are just a few examples of questions you may be asked during your research.

Now that you know what you are writing about, the research needed to write your essay will begin. You will need to go to your local library and get reference materials about technology in schools. There are many websites on the internet that provide resources that you can use to research your topic.

The most important part of your research will be the fact that you research your topic well. You need to check several websites or books and figure out which ones you really know nothing about. Then you need to go to those sites and read through the articles on those topics to get a good grasp on how they were written.

Another good point to make in your research is that you look at various websites and see which ones have a lot of links to other sites. This gives you a chance to read and compare what other people are saying. on those topics and see how different people are writing about them.

One good way to get ideas for your essay is to talk with people who are familiar with the topic. This will give you a good base to work from. You may be able to ask your classmates or even your parents about their opinions.

Once you have your topic and researched your topic well, now it’s time to put all of those thoughts and feelings together and write your essay. You may need to include examples of the positive aspects of technology in schools as well as negative aspects. This is a great way to make your essay an interesting and compelling read that tackles both sides of the argument.

Remember that when you are writing your essay, you must be careful not to over-generalize your ideas or include too many negatives in your writing. You want to focus on the positives and emphasize the good things about technology.

Make sure you proofread your essay several times before submitting it. When you are writing an essay, mistakes may sneak into your writing.

This is another one of the most important aspects of a good essay. Make sure you proofread it carefully so that no errors can slip through. from any mistakes that you have made in your research. You want to make sure that your writing has an excellent flow.

When you do this, you will be able to write a good essay that is worth reading. and sharing with others. By doing this, you will have made an important research paper that people will appreciate.

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