Written by: Mehek Chotrani
Visual by: Erica Nido
As the world continues to advance technologically, society keeps up by adapting to and gradually incorporating technology into more facets of their daily lives. Whether it be in a typical office space, or a restaurant, many individuals are starting to choose the digital option for daily activities over the real-life one.
This critical role of technology is evident in the learning environment. This can be for anything from presentations or assessments to researching a topic or simple calculations. While this can support student learning, those that have no online access or cannot afford to buy wifi-enabled electronics are ultimately disadvantaged.
The increased use of technology in the learning environment has had a positive impact on student learning: increased engagement, efficient time management, and wider research options. A study done by Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) in 2007 indicated that “the evidence suggests that the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) enables richer, more engaging learning environments to be developed.” This shows that students are more likely to be interested in learning, meaning that they will probably learn more when technology is involved in their learning environment. A survey put out by McGraw-Hill shows 81% of students that took the survey said that technology helped increase efficiency and effectiveness, and another 81% of students said that technology helped them bring up their grades. Furthermore, a 2013 report published by Pew Research Center, which surveyed nearly 2500 teachers, found that 92% of teachers said that the Internet has a “major impact” on their ability to access content, resources, and materials for their teaching. Evidence from both teachers and students shows that technology has made learning a lot more easier and efficient, not only for students but for instructors and learning specialists as well.
While the increased use of technology has had a positive impact, it can also be a source of distraction for students. When observing students being distracted by their devices, studies show that students spend a fifth of their class time doing things on their devices that have nothing to do with school. This shows that while students may claim that devices may help with their learning, electronics can also compete for each student’s attention in making it more likely for students to pick up less relevant information while in class.
However, many students may not even have access to electronic devices, putting them at a disadvantage, as schools are using devices more and more. With over 70% of assigned homework requiring logging on to the Internet, this leaves behind many students who lack access to the Internet. Students that lack Internet access may find it harder to get the most out of their learning, compared to students who have stable internet connections. Many students may not be able to afford an electronic device, making online homework at home impossible, bringing them farther behind in their studies.
In conclusion, when looking at the evidence surrounding technology and online learning, it is clear to see that while the growing use of technology may help students with their learning journeys and improve their learning environments, it also presents many drawbacks, like students getting distracted with their devices during class, and students lacking access to digital devices and a stable internet connection.
Works Cited
“Schools and Technology = Efficiency” www.eschoolview.com/Schools-and-technology-equals-efficiency.aspx.
“‘Student Use of, and Engagement with, Information Technology’ by John Ainley and Laura Engers.” Site, research.acer.edu.au/digital_learning/11/.
390, et al. “The Absence of Internet at Home Is a Problem for Some Students.” The Edvocate, 14 Aug. 2018, www.theedadvocate.org/the-absence-of-internet-at-home-is-a-problem-for-some-students/.
“How Education Technology Improves Student Engagement.” ACC Blog, 7 Feb. 2020, www.acc.edu.au/blog/technology-improves-student-engagement/.
“New Survey Data: Four Out of Five College Students Say Digital Learning Technology Helps Improve Their Grades.” McGraw Hill, www.mheducation.com/news-media/press-releases/2016-digital-study-trends-survey.htm L.
Schaffhauser01/20/16, Dian. “Research: College Students More Distracted Than Ever.” Campus Technology, campustechnology.com/articles/2016/01/20/research-college-students-more-distracted-than-ever.aspx#:~:text=Students are more distracted than, class for non-classroom activities.&text=Those students who never use,to three percent for 2015.
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