disadvantages of technology in the classroom essay

Image credit: Kristina Closs

Technology might be making education worse

Listen to the essay, as read by Antero Garcia, associate professor in the Graduate School of Education.

As a professor of education and a former public school teacher, I’ve seen digital tools change lives in schools.

I’ve documented the ways mobile technology like phones can transform student engagement in my own classroom.

I’ve explored how digital tools might network powerful civic learning and dialogue for classrooms across the country – elements of education that are crucial for sustaining our democracy today.

And, like everyone, I’ve witnessed digital technologies make schooling safer in the midst of a global pandemic. Zoom and Google Classroom, for instance, allowed many students to attend classrooms virtually during a period when it was not feasible to meet in person.

So I want to tell you that I think technologies are changing education for the better and that we need to invest more in them – but I just can’t.

Given the substantial amount of scholarly time I’ve invested in documenting the life-changing possibilities of digital technologies, it gives me no pleasure to suggest that these tools might be slowly poisoning us. Despite their purported and transformational value, I’ve been wondering if our investment in educational technology might in fact be making our schools worse.

Let me explain.

When I was a classroom teacher, I loved relying on the latest tools to create impressive and immersive experiences for my students. We would utilize technology to create class films, produce social media profiles for the Janie Crawfords, the Holden Caulfields, and other literary characters we studied, and find playful ways to digitally share our understanding of the ideas we studied in our classrooms.

As a teacher, technology was a way to build on students’ interests in pop culture and the world around them. This was exciting to me.

But I’ve continued to understand that the aspects of technology I loved weren’t actually about technology at all – they were about creating authentic learning experiences with young people. At the heart of these digital explorations were my relationships with students and the trust we built together.

“Part of why I’ve grown so skeptical about this current digital revolution is because of how these tools reshape students’ bodies and their relation to the world around them.”

I do see promise in the suite of digital tools that are available in classrooms today. But my research focus on platforms – digital spaces like Amazon, Netflix, and Google that reshape how users interact in online environments – suggests that when we focus on the trees of individual tools, we ignore the larger forest of social and cognitive challenges.

Most people encounter platforms every day in their online social lives. From the few online retail stores where we buy groceries to the small handful of sites that stream our favorite shows and media content, platforms have narrowed how we use the internet today to a small collection of Silicon Valley behemoths. Our social media activities, too, are limited to one or two sites where we check on the updates, photos, and looped videos of friends and loved ones.

These platforms restrict our online and offline lives to a relatively small number of companies and spaces – we communicate with a finite set of tools and consume a set of media that is often algorithmically suggested. This centralization of internet – a trend decades in the making – makes me very uneasy.

From willfully hiding the negative effects of social media use for vulnerable populations to creating tools that reinforce racial bias, today’s platforms are causing harm and sowing disinformation for young people and adults alike. The deluge of difficult ethical and pedagogical questions around these tools are not being broached in any meaningful way in schools – even adults aren’t sure how to manage their online lives.

You might ask, “What does this have to do with education?” Platforms are also a large part of how modern schools operate. From classroom management software to attendance tracking to the online tools that allowed students to meet safely during the pandemic, platforms guide nearly every student interaction in schools today. But districts are utilizing these tools without considering the wider spectrum of changes that they have incurred alongside them.

Antero Garcia, associate professor of education (Image credit: Courtesy Antero Garcia)

For example, it might seem helpful for a school to use a management tool like Classroom Dojo (a digital platform that can offer parents ways to interact with and receive updates from their family’s teacher) or software that tracks student reading and development like Accelerated Reader for day-to-day needs. However, these tools limit what assessment looks like and penalize students based on flawed interpretations of learning.

Another problem with platforms is that they, by necessity, amass large swaths of data. Myriad forms of educational technology exist – from virtual reality headsets to e-readers to the small sensors on student ID cards that can track when students enter schools. And all of this student data is being funneled out of schools and into the virtual black boxes of company databases.

Part of why I’ve grown so skeptical about this current digital revolution is because of how these tools reshape students’ bodies and their relation to the world around them. Young people are not viewed as complete human beings but as boxes checked for attendance, for meeting academic progress metrics, or for confirming their location within a school building. Nearly every action that students perform in schools – whether it’s logging onto devices, accessing buildings, or sharing content through their private online lives – is noticed and recorded. Children in schools have become disembodied from their minds and their hearts. Thus, one of the greatest and implicit lessons that kids learn in schools today is that they must sacrifice their privacy in order to participate in conventional, civic society.

The pandemic has only made the situation worse. At its beginnings, some schools relied on software to track students’ eye movements, ostensibly ensuring that kids were paying attention to the tasks at hand. Similarly, many schools required students to keep their cameras on during class time for similar purposes. These might be seen as in the best interests of students and their academic growth, but such practices are part of a larger (and usually more invisible) process of normalizing surveillance in the lives of youth today.

I am not suggesting that we completely reject all of the tools at our disposal – but I am urging for more caution. Even the seemingly benign resources we might use in our classrooms today come with tradeoffs. Every Wi-Fi-connected, “smart” device utilized in schools is an investment in time, money, and expertise in technology over teachers and the teaching profession.

Our focus on fixing or saving schools via digital tools assumes that the benefits and convenience that these invisible platforms offer are worth it.

But my ongoing exploration of how platforms reduce students to quantifiable data suggests that we are removing the innovation and imagination of students and teachers in the process.

Antero Garcia is associate professor of education in the Graduate School of Education .

In Their Own Words is a collaboration between the Stanford Public Humanities Initiative and Stanford University Communications.

If you’re a Stanford faculty member (in any discipline or school) who is interested in writing an essay for this series, please reach out to Natalie Jabbar at [email protected] .

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Education | Feb 25 2020

5 Disadvantages of Technology in the Classroom (And How to Overcome Them)

Though we generally see progress as a good thing, there are definite disadvantages of technology in the classroom. From distraction to reducing face time, EdTech isn’t a magic bullet for every situation. With some awareness, however, most disadvantages can be overcome, like some of the surprisingly old-school thinking that helps with tech disparity.

So read on for some disadvantages of technology in the classroom (and potential solutions).

From apps and e-textbooks to organizational platforms and “gamification,” there’s no shortage of technology in the classroom . But, while EdTech tools can make lessons more engaging and useful for students raised on technology, they can equally challenge teachers and lead to suboptimal outcomes for students. How can teachers get the most out of technology without sacrificing efficiency or engagement?

Here are 5 disadvantages of technology in the classroom and how to get past them for your students.

Distracting Students

Smartphones have a bad reputation in classrooms and there have been strong cases for banning them in schools . Research suggests that during class time, when smartphones 42% of the time that students spent on their smartphones in the classroom, it was to text, tweet, or otherwise engage in social media rather than the lesson.

However, bans on devices such as smartphones are unlikely to work as students will inevitably get around them. Also, such bans would be resented by students, who consider the use of technology to be a matter of personal autonomy that should only be regulated when it distracts other students. While teachers can help students learn better self-control methods to help them to regulate their own use of devices, research shows that better lesson plans that promote student engagement have less off-task use of technology.

Therefore, the onus is on instructors to create engaging, inspiring, and stimulating lesson plans that incorporate technology. For example, smartphones can access educational apps that promote learning as well as time management.

Many teachers incorporate digital platforms into lesson plans and find that using social media can actually keep students engaged and encourage classroom participation. Some teachers even create twitter hashtags to encourage comments.

Technology can be used to supplement lesson plans with digital materials, including video , news stories, online discussions, and to encourage participation. Get creative!

Requires Management and Training

The rise of EdTech means that being effective in the classroom requires that teachers are effective on the screen and tech platform. Studies show that three-quarters of teachers say the internet and other digital tools have added new demands to their lives and have dramatically increased the range of content and skills about which they must be knowledgeable, with nearly half saying it has increased their workload.

New tech in the classroom also means needing IT professionals to help set it up, maintain it, and support teachers and students in its use. Clear and transparent communications among administration, faculty, and tech vendors that clarify how adopting a particular device, platform, or program will benefit students and teacher alike, can greatly enhance the use of technology in the classroom, to remove the suspicion that such technology is just “bells and whistles” with little actual value. Teachers also need access to training.

Moreover, institutions can help maximize their technical support staff by finding a less resource-intensive solution. Read 10 Reasons Education IT Administrators Love Interactive Touch Screen Displays .

Disadvantages of Technology in the Classroom - Tech Disparity

Leads to Tech Disparity

Tech disparity refers to how much access students have to the necessary devices. The differences in access can be seen between school districts, with more affluent districts having greater resources, but it can also refer to differences among students in the same school, where students from wealthier families having greater access. A recent survey indicates that while 84 percent of American teens have a smartphone, the other 16 percent don’t. Reaching out to that 16 percent is the goal.

Tech disparity also refers to school policymaking and tech management. For example, the above survey also points out that while three-quarters of teachers working in wealthier districts felt that their schools provided adequate training, only half of the teachers in low-income areas agreed. Around 40 percent of teachers in economically disadvantaged areas saw their schools as behind the curve in technology advancement.

Teachers and administrators can take practical steps toward bridging the tech divide. Assuming unequal access to devices, schools can focus on technology that can be shared among classes, for example, shared tablet computers and school computer labs, not to mention school-based Wi-Fi.

Then, there is tech that can be used within the classroom, such as interactive whiteboards and projectors, as well as a digital curriculum that all students can access.

Bridging the tech divide is not easy, but for a fairer society with equal opportunity, it needs to be the focus of all efforts. (But a good start to fighting tech disparity is a computer lab in school .)

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Learning Solutions For the Future

Nothing in this world is free, and buying cutting-edge electronics for a classroom is downright expensive. While there’s no way to avoid spending money modernizing a classroom, it is at least possible to maximize the total cost of ownership (TCO) by installing devices with longer lifespans and reduced maintenance. Tech with higher upfront costs might actually save the school money as it will face fewer issues and have less downtime while being easier to use. Schools need to assess TCO carefully before choosing purchasing tech.

Moreover, the use of technology should not be confined to the classroom and in fact can be used to streamline administrative systems, cutting costs, boosting productivity, and reducing time wasted on administrative tasks. Cloud computing, for example, offers substantial opportunities for schools to save money. Switching to a digital curriculum eliminates the need to continuously replace outdated textbooks.

Cloud-based computing also reduces the need to keep expensive hardware on-site, which can save in administrative costs, reduce payroll costs (fewer IT techs), and eliminates that 24-hour air-conditioned server room. Also, sharing materials online rather than printing them out saves costs of printers and ink – substantial costs for schools – not to mention all that hard work spent printing.

Less Face Time

No amount of technology in the classroom can replace talented, inspired teachers. As the adage goes, any teacher that can be replaced with a tech device probably deserves to be replaced.

Technology is not the solution to ensuring a healthy vigorous learning culture, it is simply a pedagogical tool that is only as valuable as the instructor who wields it. In fact, while billions of dollars are spent on EdTech, countries that don’t deploy tech often have better educational outcomes than countries that spend heavily.

Face to face interactions between teacher and student can help students not just acquire facts, but to understand, interpret, and apply these facts into useful and interesting knowledge. Through face to face interactions, teachers can help students build self-esteem and confidence and emotional maturity. Particularly in disadvantaged areas, teachers can provide a zone of comfort and security, and everywhere teachers can reduce the cyberbullying that so often accompanies social media.

There are lots of ways to synthesize tech into real-world activities, but sometimes teachers just need to switch off the tech and get down to personal interactions. For example, while so much information can be readily accessed on the Internet, so much of that information is dubious at best and sometimes downright malevolent. Teachers need to guide students on how best to identify useful sources and balance differing viewpoints.

Final Thoughts

Of course there will be challenges along the way as we adopt new technologies in education and improve them to suit student outcomes. But the advantages vastly outweigh the disadvantages of technology in the classroom. It is just always important to remain aware of where the latest tech is coming up short and to adjust course for the best possible learning outcome for the students.

There’s no reason to be afraid of EdTech, but nor should we rush blindly into digital transformation. After all, education is all about learning, and we should all be open to the ongoing process of improvement that comes with it.

Want to learn more about implementing EdTech? Check this out: Technology in the Classroom: The Complete Guide . Or go directly to ViewSonic’s technology solutions for education .

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Is technology good or bad for learning?

Subscribe to the brown center on education policy newsletter, saro mohammed, ph.d. smp saro mohammed, ph.d. partner - the learning accelerator @edresearchworks.

May 8, 2019

I’ll bet you’ve read something about technology and learning recently. You may have read that device use enhances learning outcomes . Or perhaps you’ve read that screen time is not good for kids . Maybe you’ve read that there’s no link between adolescents’ screen time and their well-being . Or that college students’ learning declines the more devices are present in their classrooms .

If ever there were a case to be made that more research can cloud rather than clarify an issue, technology use and learning seems to fit the bill. This piece covers what the research actually says, some outstanding questions, and how to approach the use of technology in learning environments to maximize opportunities for learning and minimize the risk of doing harm to students.

In my recent posts , I have frequently cited the mixed evidence about blended learning, which strategically integrates in-person learning with technology to enable real-time data use, personalized instruction, and mastery-based progression. One thing that this nascent evidence base does show is that technology can be linked to improved learning . When technology is integrated into lessons in ways that are aligned with good in-person teaching pedagogy, learning can be better than without technology.

A 2018 meta-analysis of dozens of rigorous studies of ed tech , along with the executive summary of a forthcoming update (126 rigorous experiments), indicated that when education technology is used to individualize students’ pace of learning, the results overall show “ enormous promise .” In other words, ed tech can improve learning when used to personalize instruction to each student’s pace.

Further, this same meta-analysis, along with other large but correlational studies (e.g., OECD 2015 ), also found that increased access to technology in school was associated with improved proficiency with, and increased use of, technology overall. This is important in light of the fact that access to technology outside of learning environments is still very unevenly distributed across ethnic, socio-economic, and geographic lines. Technology for learning, when deployed to all students, ensures that no student experiences a “21st-century skills and opportunity” gap.

More practically, technology has been shown to scale and sustain instructional practices that would be too resource-intensive to work in exclusively in-person learning environments, especially those with the highest needs. In multiple , large-scale studies where technology has been incorporated into the learning experiences of hundreds of students across multiple schools and school systems, they have been associated with better academic outcomes than comparable classrooms that did not include technology. Added to these larger bodies of research are dozens, if not hundreds, of smaller , more localized examples of technology being used successfully to improve students’ learning experiences. Further, meta-analyses and syntheses of the research show that blended learning can produce greater learning than exclusively in-person learning.

All of the above suggest that technology, used well, can drive equity in learning opportunities. We are seeing that students and families from privileged backgrounds are able to make choices about technology use that maximize its benefits and minimize its risks , while students and families from marginalized backgrounds do not have opportunities to make the same informed choices. Intentional, thoughtful inclusion of technology in public learning environments can ensure that all students, regardless of their ethnicity, socioeconomic status, language status, special education status, or other characteristics, have the opportunity to experience learning and develop skills that allow them to fully realize their potential.

On the other hand, the evidence is decidedly mixed on the neurological impact of technology use. In November 2016, the American Association of Pediatrics updated their screen time guidelines for parents, generally relaxing restrictions and increasing the recommended maximum amount of time that children in different age groups spend interacting with screens. These guidelines were revised not because of any new research, but for two far more practical reasons. First, the nuance of the existing evidence–especially the ways in which recommendations change as children get older–was not adequately captured in the previous guidelines. Second, the proliferation of technology in our lives had made the previous guidelines almost impossible to follow.

The truth is that infants, in particular, learn by interacting with our physical world and with other humans, and it is likely that very early (passive) interactions with devices–rather than humans–can disrupt or misinform neural development . As we grow older, time spent on devices often replaces time spent engaging in physical activity or socially with other people, and it can even become a substitute for emotional regulation, which is detrimental to physical, social, and emotional development.

In adolescence and young adulthood, the presence of technology in learning environments has also been associated with (but has not been shown to be the cause of) negative variables such as attention deficits or hyperactivity , feeling lonely , and lower grades . Multitasking is not something our brains can do while learning , and technology often represents not just one more “task” to have to attend to in a learning environment, but multiple additional tasks due to the variety of apps and programs installed on and producing notifications through a single device.

The pragmatic

The current takeaway from the research is that there are potential benefits and risks to deploying technology in learning environments. While we can’t wrap this topic up with a bow just yet–there are still more questions than answers–there is evidence that technology can amplify effective teaching and learning when in the hands of good teachers. The best we can do today is understand how technology can be a valuable tool for educators to do the complex, human work that is teaching by capitalizing on the benefits while remaining fully mindful of the risks as we currently understand them.

We must continue to build our understanding of both the risks and benefits as we proceed. With that in mind, here are some “Dos” and “Don’ts” for using technology in learning environments:

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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

Science teacher using digital whiteboard

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

Students using a laptop and tablet in elementary school

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

High school student distracted by laptop

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

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

This was helpfull

My child has been influenced due to the bad technology. He was a nice 9 year old kid before he found out about the thug shaker from technology. He keeps saying “Im bout to blow.” Technology has effected our society. And the thug shaker is a prime example.

OKAY BOOMER!

This comment section be crazy yall.

i think ur over exaggerating

gangsta rap

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.

chat gpt cookin

Some of us knew how to write before Chat GPT came along.

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.

Stop being rude.

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.

no you are wrong

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.

pluh using ai

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?

I can agree on most of your points. My question would be, when do we introduce students to technology? Call me old fashioned, but I believe that the task of learning simple math (1-3 digit computations), parts of speech, and sentence structure should be taught without the use of any type of technology. As students progress, I think technology is a great thing to interject into education. I do believe, however, this should be minimalized until about fifth grade. Students taking assessment test need to know how to write instead of just clicking on an answer. Calculators were never allowed in school until junior high when I attended. There are many students, in the school where I work, that will not write because they do not know how to form the letters on paper. Many times the students who do know how to write, have horrible handwriting because they do not write every day. Yes, technology is wonderful, but at what age should it be introduced in order for students to be able to succeed before technology is used?

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.

Edtech Empire | Edtech Blog

Technology in the Classroom: Pros, Cons, Best Practices and Examples

Technology has transformed the way we learn and teach. The integration of technology in the classroom has revolutionized the education system, and it continues to evolve with each passing year. While technology offers numerous benefits, it also has its fair share of drawbacks. In this article, we will explore the pros, cons, best practices, and examples of technology in the classroom.

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Technology in the classroom is important because it can make learning more fun and interesting for students and teachers. It can help students learn new things and skills that they will need in the future. Additionally, technology can help teachers teach better and easier with more options and tools. Technology can make learning more interactive and personalized for each student. Technology can also help students and teachers communicate and work together better.

But technology in the classroom is not always easy or perfect. Sometimes technology can be hard to access or use for everyone. Besides, technology can have problems or distractions. Also, at times, technology can be too much or too little for what we need. Technology in the classroom should not be the only thing we use, but something we use wisely and well to help us learn better.

Here is a table on the educational technology in classroom statistics sourced from the information available in the internet:

The following infographic also shares the most important statistics on technology in the classroom. Feel free to share among other educators if you think this will inspire them to incorporate technology in the classroom!

Technology in the Classroom Statistics Infographic

If you want to learn more technology statistics that are relevant to education and classroom, we recommend looking into The State of Technology in Education by Promethean .

Pros of Technology in the Classroom

One of the most significant advantages of technology in the classroom is that it enhances the learning experience. Additionally, technology provides students with access to interactive and engaging content that makes learning more exciting and memorable. Multimedia resources such as videos, animations, and simulations can help students grasp complex concepts and ideas.

Technology can increase student engagement and motivation in the classroom. Besides, technology allows for a variety of teaching methods, such as gamification , which can make learning more fun and engaging. Additionally, technology can help students personalize their learning experience, making it more relevant and interesting to them.

Technology provides the opportunity for personalized learning. With adaptive learning software, students can receive individualized instruction that is tailored to their needs and abilities. This means that students can work at their own pace and receive the support they need to succeed.

Technology provides access to a wealth of resources, including online libraries, digital textbooks, and educational videos . This means that students can access information from anywhere, at any time, and on any device. This can be particularly helpful for students who do not have access to traditional resources, such as a school library.

Technology can improve collaboration in the classroom. Online collaboration tools, such as Google Docs, allow students to work together on projects in real-time, no matter where they are. This can help students develop teamwork and communication skills that are essential for success in the workplace. Additionally, you can browse our blog post on how educational technology impacts social relationships to learn more about this topic.

Technology can improve assessment and feedback. With online assessment tools, teachers can easily track student progress and provide immediate feedback. This allows for more targeted instruction and helps students stay on track.

Cons of Technology in the Classroom

One of the most significant drawbacks of technology in the classroom is technological issues. Technical problems can disrupt learning, causing frustration and anxiety for both teachers and students. Besides, technical issues can also be time-consuming to resolve, taking away valuable class time.

Technology can be a source of distraction and misuse in the classroom. With the abundance of social media and online games, students may be tempted to use technology for non-educational purposes during class time. Therefore, this can be a significant challenge for teachers, who must find ways to keep students focused and engaged.

Overreliance on technology can also be a disadvantage. Teachers may become too dependent on technology and neglect other teaching methods, such as hands-on activities or discussions. Additionally, students may become too reliant on technology and struggle with traditional teaching methods.

Another potential downside of technology in the classroom is cost. Purchasing and maintaining technology can be expensive, and not all schools have the budget to provide the necessary resources. So, this can create inequalities in access to technology, disadvantaged students who do not have access to the latest technology.

Inequalities in access to technology can be a significant problem. Because, not all students have access to the latest technology, which can put them at a disadvantage. Additionally, students from low-income families may not have access to technology outside of school, limiting their ability to complete homework and engage in online learning activities.

Finally, technology can reduce social interaction and physical activity in the classroom. With the increased use of technology, students may spend less time interacting with each other and more time sitting in front of a screen. Additionally, students may miss out on opportunities for physical activity, such as playing outside or participating in sports.

Best Practices for Using Technology in the Classroom

To make the most of technology in the classroom, it is important to follow best practices. Here are some tips for using technology effectively in the classroom:

Before integrating technology into the classroom, it is essential to determine its purpose. Teachers should consider the learning goals they want to achieve and how technology can help them meet those goals. This will help ensure that technology is used intentionally and effectively.

It is essential to incorporate technology with intentionality. Teachers should carefully select technology tools and resources that align with their learning goals. Additionally, they should be mindful of how technology is used, ensuring that it is integrated seamlessly into instruction rather than being used as a standalone tool. We recommend that you also look into our blog post on emotional intelligence in incorporating technology in education for further refining your plan on incorporating technology.

Teachers should be provided with adequate training to use technology effectively. This includes training on how to use specific technology tools and resources, as well as training on how to integrate technology into instruction effectively. This will help ensure that teachers feel confident and comfortable using technology in the classroom.

It is important to establish guidelines and rules for using technology in the classroom. This includes rules for appropriate use of technology, as well as guidelines for internet safety and privacy. Teachers should also communicate these guidelines and rules clearly to students and enforce them consistently.

To make the most of technology in the classroom, it is essential to encourage active participation. Teachers should provide opportunities for students to interact with technology in meaningful ways, such as through collaborative projects or online discussions. Additionally, they should provide opportunities for students to create and share their own digital content.

Finally, it is important to monitor and evaluate technology use in the classroom. Teachers should collect data on how technology is being used and how it is impacting student learning. This will help them make informed decisions about how to adjust their use of technology to better support student learning.

We recommend that you also look into our blog post on how to choose education technology tools in the classroom.

Examples of Technology in the Classroom

There are many examples of technology in the classroom. Here are a few examples:

Digital learning platforms are a common technology tool in the classroom. These platforms provide a variety of resources, including digital textbooks, interactive activities, and assessments. They can be used to supplement traditional teaching methods or to facilitate online learning.

Educational apps are another example of technology in the classroom. These apps can provide interactive and engaging learning experiences for students. They can be used to reinforce concepts taught in class or to provide additional practice opportunities.

Interactive whiteboards are a popular technology tool in the classroom. These boards allow teachers to display and manipulate digital content, making it easier to engage students and facilitate discussions. Besides, they can be used to provide interactive activities and assessments.

3D printing is a newer technology tool in the classroom. This technology allows students to create three-dimensional objects, which can be used to reinforce concepts taught in class or to explore new ideas. 3D printing can be used in a variety of subjects, including science, math, and art.

Virtual and augmented reality are becoming more prevalent in the classroom. These technologies provide immersive and engaging experiences for students. They can be used to explore historical sites, simulate scientific experiments, or provide virtual field trips. If you would like to learn more about this topic, we recommend reading our blog post on extended reality in education .

Challenges of Implementing Technology in the Classroom

Implementing technology in the classroom can be challenging for many reasons. Some of the challenges are:

Not all students and teachers have the same access to technology or the internet. Some may not have devices, software, or connectivity at home or at school. This can create gaps and barriers in learning and teaching. Therefore, technology should be accessible and affordable for everyone who needs it.

Not all technology or online resources are reliable, accurate, or appropriate for learning. Some may have errors, biases, or harmful content. Teachers and students need to be able to evaluate and select the best technology and online resources for their learning goals and needs. Therefore, technology should be relevant and trustworthy for learning.

Too much technology or screen time can have negative effects on health, well-being, and social skills. Besides, some may experience eye strain, headaches, sleep problems, or isolation. Teachers and students need to be able to balance their technology use with other activities and interactions. So, technology should be used moderately and responsibly for learning.

Not all teachers are comfortable or confident with using technology in the classroom. Some may lack the skills, knowledge, or support to use technology effectively and creatively. Teachers need to be able to integrate technology into their pedagogy and curriculum in meaningful ways. However, technology should be used to enhance and not replace teaching. Read our blog post on how to improve technology skills as a teacher , if you wish to self-improve your technology skills .

Additionally, you may also look into our blog post on how to incorporate technology into lesson plans as it can also be a very challenging and important task as an educator.

Frequently Asked Questions and Answers (FAQs)

Advantages of technology in the classroom include increased access to resources and information, improved student engagement and motivation, and enhanced learning experiences.

Disadvantages of technology in the classroom include technical issues and disruptions, distractions and misuse, overreliance on technology, cost, inequalities in access to technology, and reduced social interaction and physical activity.

Technology can be used to enhance student learning by providing access to a variety of resources and information, facilitating active participation and engagement, and providing immersive and interactive learning experiences.

Technology is very common in the classroom today, with almost all teachers (95 percent) using it in some way. A global survey of 15-year-olds showed that about half of them use a desktop computer in the classroom, and many also use smartphones, interactive whiteboards, and tablets.

Technology is used in the classroom every day by most K–12 teachers (63 percent), and this number has increased since 2016. The amount of technology used may change depending on the device, the subject, and the resources available. For example, a study found that students who used laptops or tablets every day or almost every day did better in reading than those who used them less than once a week.

Technology can be effective in the classroom when it helps students learn at their own pace, saves time for teachers, and prepares students for the digital world. Moreover, Technology can make learning more fun, interactive, cooperative, and creative. However, the effectiveness of technology depends on how it is used, and how it is part of the learning process. Moreover, some studies have shown that technology can have a negative effect on student outcomes when it is used for entertainment, distraction, or passive consumption.

The most used technology in the classroom is laptops, according to 86 percent of teachers who say they use them in classrooms the most. Laptops are followed by smartphones (58 percent), educational apps (41 percent), social media (21 percent), and 3D printers (6 percent). The type of technology used may vary depending on the grade level, curriculum, and teacher preference. Some technologies may be more suitable for certain subjects or activities than others. For example, interactive whiteboards may be more useful for math or science than for language arts or social studies.

There is no definitive answer to this question, as different sources may have different ways of measuring technology use in schools. However, some estimates and trends suggest that technology use in schools is increasing, especially in developed countries, and that it can have positive impacts on learning outcomes, but also pose some challenges and inequalities. Technology use in schools can include devices such as laptops, tablets, interactive whiteboards, as well as software and online platforms for learning and teaching.

Technology has both pros and cons in the classroom. While it can provide a wealth of resources and opportunities for students, it can also be a source of distraction and misuse. Therefore, To make the most of technology in the classroom, it is important to follow best practices, provide adequate training, and monitor and evaluate its use. With intentional use and thoughtful implementation, technology can enhance student learning and engagement.

Khondker Mohammad Shah-Al-Mamun is an experienced writer, technology integration and automation specialist, and Microsoft Innovative Educator who leads the Blended Learning Center at Daffodil International University in Bangladesh. He was also a Google Certified Educator and a leader of Google Educators Group (GEG) Dhaka South.

Khondker Mohammad Shah – Al – Mamun

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9.3: What are disadvantages to technology in the classroom?

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Jennfer Kidd, Jamie Kaufman, Peter Baker, Patrick O'Shea, Dwight Allen, & Old Dominion U students

Jennfer Kidd, Jamie Kaufman, Peter Baker, Patrick O'Shea, Dwight Allen, & Old Dominion U students
Old Dominion University

Though we generally see progress as a good thing, there are definite disadvantages of technology in the classroom. From distraction to reducing face time, Educational Technology (EdTech) isn’t a magic bullet for every situation. With some awareness, however, most disadvantages can be overcome, like some of the surprisingly old-school thinking that helps with tech disparity.

Read on for some disadvantages of technology in the classroom (and potential solutions).

From apps and e-textbooks to organizational platforms and “gamification,” there’s no shortage of technology in the classroom. But, while EdTech tools can make lessons more engaging and useful for students raised on technology, they can equally challenge teachers and lead to suboptimal outcomes for students. How can teachers get the most out of technology without sacrificing efficiency or engagement?

Here are 5 disadvantages of technology in the classroom and how to get past them for your students.

Distracting Students

Smartphones have a bad reputation in classrooms and there have been strong cases for banning them in schools. Research suggests that during class time, when smartphones 42% of the time that students spent on their smartphones in the classroom, it was to text, tweet, or otherwise engage in social media rather than the lesson.

Technology can be used to supplement lesson plans with digital materials, including video, news stories, online discussions, and to encourage participation. Get creative!

Requires Management and Training

The rise EdTech means that being effective in the classroom requires that teachers are effective on the screen and tech platform. Studies show that three-quarters of teachers say the internet and other digital tools have added new demands to their lives and have dramatically increased the range of content and skills about which they must be knowledgeable, with nearly half saying it has increased their workload.

Moreover, institutions can help maximize their technical support staff by finding a less resource-intensive solution.

Leads to Tech Disparity

Then, there is tech that can be used within the classroom, such as interactive whiteboards and projectors, as well as a digital curriculum that all students can access.

In short, while technology has obvious costs attached to it, viewed holistically, it can also provide substantial opportunities for cost reductions that more than compensate.

Less Face Time

No amount of technology in the classroom can replace talented, inspired teachers. As the adage goes, any teacher that can be replaced with a tech device probably deserves to be replaced.

Final Thoughts

https://www.viewsonic.com/library/ed...overcome-them/

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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.

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.

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.

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.

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Jessica Grose

Get tech out of the classroom before it’s too late.

By Jessica Grose

Opinion Writer

Jaime Lewis noticed that her eighth-grade son’s grades were slipping several months ago. She suspected it was because he was watching YouTube during class on his school-issued laptop, and her suspicions were validated. “I heard this from two of his teachers and confirmed with my son: Yes, he watches YouTube during class, and no, he doesn’t think he can stop. In fact, he opted out of retaking a math test he’d failed, just so he could watch YouTube,” she said.

She decided to do something about it. Lewis told me that she got together with other parents who were concerned about the unfettered use of school-sanctioned technology in San Luis Coastal Unified School District, their district in San Luis Obispo, Calif. Because they knew that it wasn’t realistic to ask for the removal of the laptops entirely, they went for what they saw as an achievable win: blocking YouTube from students’ devices. A few weeks ago, they had a meeting with the district superintendent and several other administrators, including the tech director.

To bolster their case, Lewis and her allies put together a video compilation of clips that elementary and middle school children had gotten past the district’s content filters.

Their video opens on images of nooses being fitted around the necks of the terrified women in the TV adaptation of “The Handmaid’s Tale.” It ends with the notoriously violent “Singin’ in the Rain” sequence from “A Clockwork Orange.” (Several versions of this scene are available on YouTube. The one she pointed me to included “rape scene” in the title.) Their video was part of a PowerPoint presentation filled with statements from other parents and school staff members, including one from a middle school assistant principal, who said, “I don’t know how often teachers are using YouTube in their curriculum.”

That acknowledgment gets to the heart of the problem with screens in schools. I heard from many parents who said that even when they asked district leaders how much time kids were spending on their screens, they couldn’t get straight answers; no one seemed to know, and no one seemed to be keeping track.

Eric Prater, the superintendent of the San Luis Coastal Unified School District, told me that he didn’t realize how much was getting through the schools’ content filters until Lewis and her fellow parents raised concerns. “Our tech department, as I found out from the meeting, spends quite a lot of time blocking certain websites,” he said. “It’s a quite time-consuming situation that I personally was not aware of.” He added that he’s grateful this was brought to his attention.

I don’t think educators are the bad guys here. Neither does Lewis. In general, educators want the best for students. The bad guys, as I see it, are tech companies.

One way or another, we’ve allowed Big Tech’s tentacles into absolutely every aspect of our children’s education, with very little oversight and no real proof that their devices or programs improve educational outcomes. Last year Collin Binkley at The Associated Press analyzed public records and found that “many of the largest school systems spent tens of millions of dollars in pandemic money on software and services from tech companies, including licenses for apps, games and tutoring websites.” However, he continued, schools “have little or no evidence the programs helped students.”

It’s not just waste, very likely, of taxpayer money that’s at issue. After reading many of the over 900 responses from parents and educators to my questionnaire about tech in schools and from the many conversations I had over the past few weeks with readers, I’m convinced that the downsides of tech in schools far outweigh the benefits.

Though tech’s incursion into America’s public schools — particularly our overreliance on devices — hyperaccelerated in 2020, it started well before the Covid-19 pandemic. Google, which provides the operating system for lower-cost Chromebooks and is owned by the same parent company as YouTube, is a big player in the school laptop space, though I also heard from many parents and teachers whose schools supply students with other types and brands of devices.

As my newsroom colleague Natasha Singer reported in 2017 (by which point “half the nation’s primary- and secondary-school students” were, according to Google, using its education apps), “Google makes $30 per device by selling management services for the millions of Chromebooks that ship to schools. But by habituating students to its offerings at a young age, Google obtains something much more valuable”: potential lifetime customers.

The issue goes beyond access to age-inappropriate clips or general distraction during school hours. Several parents related stories of even kindergartners reading almost exclusively on iPads because their school districts had phased out hard-copy books and writing materials after shifting to digital-only curriculums. There’s evidence that this is harmful: A 2019 analysis of the literature concluded that “readers may be more efficient and aware of their performance when reading from paper compared to screens.”

“It seems to be a constant battle between fighting for the students’ active attention (because their brains are now hard-wired for the instant gratification of TikTok and YouTube videos) and making sure they aren’t going to sites outside of the dozens they should be,” Nicole Post, who teaches at a public elementary school in Missouri, wrote to me. “It took months for students to listen to me tell a story or engage in a read-aloud. I’m distressed at the level of technology we’ve socialized them to believe is normal. I would give anything for a math or social studies textbook.”

I’ve heard about kids disregarding teachers who tried to limit tech use, fine motor skills atrophying because students rarely used pencils and children whose learning was ultimately stymied by the tech that initially helped them — for example, students learning English as a second language becoming too reliant on translation apps rather than becoming fluent.

Some teachers said they have programs that block certain sites and games, but those programs can be cumbersome. Some said they have software, like GoGuardian, that allows them to see the screens of all the students in their classes at once. But classroom time is zero sum: Teachers are either teaching or acting like prison wardens; they can’t do both at the same time.

Resources are finite. Software costs money . Replacing defunct or outdated laptops costs money . When it comes to I.T., many schools are understaffed . More of the money being spent on tech and the maintenance and training around the use of that tech could be spent on other things, like actual books. And badly monitored and used tech has the most potential for harm.

I’ve considered the counterarguments: Kids who’d be distracted by tech would find something else to distract them; K-12 students need to gain familiarity with tech to instill some vague work force readiness.

But on the first point, I think other forms of distraction — like talking to friends, doodling and daydreaming — are better than playing video games or watching YouTube because they at least involve children engaging with other children or their own minds. And there’s research that suggests laptops are uniquely distracting . One 2013 study found that even being next to a student who is multitasking on a computer can hurt a student’s test scores.

On the second point, you can have designated classes to teach children how to keyboard, code or use software that don’t require them to have laptops in their hands throughout the school day. And considering that various tech companies are developing artificial intelligence that, we’re meant to understand, will upend work as we know it , whatever tech skills we’re currently teaching will probably be obsolete by the time students enter the work force anyway. By then, it’ll be too late to claw back the brain space of our nation’s children that we’ve already ceded. And for what? So today’s grade schoolers can be really, really good at making PowerPoint presentations like the ones they might one day make as white-collar adults?

That’s the part that I can’t shake: We’ve let tech companies and their products set the terms of the argument about what education should be, and too many people, myself included, didn’t initially realize it. Companies never had to prove that devices or software, broadly speaking, helped students learn before those devices had wormed their way into America’s public schools. And now the onus is on parents to marshal arguments about the detriments of tech in schools.

Holly Coleman, a parent of two who lives in Kansas and is a substitute teacher in her district, describes what students are losing:

They can type quickly but struggle to write legibly. They can find info about any topic on the internet but can’t discuss that topic using recall, creativity or critical thinking. They can make a beautiful PowerPoint or Keynote in 20 minutes but can’t write a three-page paper or hand-make a poster board. Their textbooks are all online, which is great for the seams on their backpack, but tangible pages under your fingers literally connect you to the material you’re reading and learning. These kids do not know how to move through their day without a device in their hand and under their fingertips. They never even get the chance to disconnect from their tech and reconnect with one another through eye contact and conversation.

Jonathan Haidt’s new book, “The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness,” prescribes phone-free schools as a way to remedy some of the challenges facing America’s children. I agree that there’s no place for smartphones on a K-12 campus. But if you take away the phones and the kids still have near-constant internet connectivity on devices they have with them in every class, the problem won’t go away.

When Covid hit and screens became the only way for millions of kids to “attend” school, not having a personal device became an equity issue. But we’re getting to a point where the opposite may be true. According to the responses to my questionnaire, during the remote-school era, private schools seemed to rely far less on screens than public schools, and many educators said that they deliberately chose lower-tech school environments for their own children — much the same way that some tech workers intentionally send their kids to screen-free schools.

We need to reframe the entire conversation around tech in schools because it’s far from clear that we’re getting the results we want as a society and because parents are in a defensive crouch, afraid to appear anti-progress or unwilling to prepare the next generation for the future. “I feel like a baby boomer attacking like this,” said Lewis.

But the drawbacks of constant screen time in schools go beyond data privacy, job security and whether a specific app increases math performance by a standard deviation. As Lewis put it, using tech in the classroom makes students “so passive, and it requires so little agency and initiative.” She added, “I’m very concerned about the species’ ability to survive and the ability to think critically and the importance of critical thinking outside of getting a job.”

If we don’t hit pause now and try to roll back some of the excesses, we’ll be doing our children — and society — a profound disservice.

The good news is that sometimes when the stakes become clear, educators respond: In May, Dr. Prater said, “we’re going to remove access to YouTube from our district devices for students.” He added that teachers will still be able to get access to YouTube if they want to show instructional videos. The district is also rethinking its phone policy to cut down on personal device use in the classroom. “For me,” he said, “it’s all about how do you find the common-sense approach, going forward, and match that up with good old-fashioned hands-on learning?” He knows technology can cause “a great deal of harm if we’re not careful.”

Jessica Grose is an Opinion writer for The Times, covering family, religion, education, culture and the way we live now.

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Bans may help protect classroom focus, but districts need to stay mindful of students’ sense of connection, experts say

Students around the world are being separated from their phones.

In 2020, the National Center for Education Statistics reported that 77 percent of U.S. schools had moved to prohibit cellphones for nonacademic purposes. In September 2018, French lawmakers outlawed cellphone use for schoolchildren under the age of 15. In China, phones were banned country-wide for schoolchildren last year.

Supporters of these initiatives have cited links between smartphone use and bullying and social isolation and the need to keep students focused on schoolwork.

77% Of U.S. schools moved to ban cellphones for nonacademic purposes as of 2020, according to the National Center for Education Statistics

But some Harvard experts say instructors and administrators should consider learning how to teach with tech instead of against it, in part because so many students are still coping with academic and social disruptions caused by the pandemic. At home, many young people were free to choose how and when to use their phones during learning hours. Now, they face a school environment seeking to take away their main source of connection.

“Returning back to in-person, I think it was hard to break the habit,” said Victor Pereira, a lecturer on education and co-chair of the Teaching and Teaching Leadership Program at the Graduate School of Education.

Through their students, he and others with experience both in the classroom and in clinical settings have seen interactions with technology blossom into important social connections that defy a one-size-fits-all mindset. “Schools have been coming back, trying to figure out, how do we readjust our expectations?” Pereira added.

It’s a hard question, especially in the face of research suggesting that the mere presence of a smartphone can undercut learning .

Michael Rich , an associate professor of pediatrics at Harvard Medical School and an associate professor of social and behavioral sciences at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, says that phones and school don’t mix: Students can’t meaningfully absorb information while also texting, scrolling, or watching YouTube videos.

“The human brain is incapable of thinking more than one thing at a time,” he said. “And so what we think of as multitasking is actually rapid-switch-tasking. And the problem with that is that switch-tasking may cover a lot of ground in terms of different subjects, but it doesn’t go deeply into any of them.”

Pereira’s approach is to step back — and to ask whether a student who can’t resist the phone is a signal that the teacher needs to work harder on making a connection. “Two things I try to share with my new teachers are, one, why is that student on the phone? What’s triggering getting on your cell phone versus jumping into our class discussion, or whatever it may be? And then that leads to the second part, which is essentially classroom management.

“Design better learning activities, design learning activities where you consider how all of your students might want to engage and what their interests are,” he said. He added that allowing phones to be accessible can enrich lessons and provide opportunities to use technology for school-related purposes.

Mesfin Awoke Bekalu, a research scientist in the Lee Kum Sheung Center for Health and Happiness at the Chan School, argues that more flexible classroom policies can create opportunities for teaching tech-literacy and self-regulation.

“There is a huge, growing body of literature showing that social media platforms are particularly helpful for people who need resources or who need support of some kind, beyond their proximate environment,” he said. A study he co-authored by Rachel McCloud and Vish Viswanath for the Lee Kum Sheung Center for Health and Happiness shows that this is especially true for marginalized groups such as students of color and LGBTQ students. But the findings do not support a free-rein policy, Bekalu stressed.

In the end, Rich, who noted the particular challenges faced by his patients with attention-deficit disorders and other neurological conditions, favors a classroom-by-classroom strategy. “It can be managed in a very local way,” he said, adding: “It’s important for parents, teachers, and the kids to remember what they are doing at any point in time and focus on that. It’s really only in mono-tasking that we do very well at things.”

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Education resources › Blog › Technology in the classroom: Advantages and disadvantages

Technology in the classroom: Advantages and disadvantages

Phones & technology

Written by InnerDrive | Led by Bradley Busch

The digital age is well and truly upon us. The last decade has seen a spike in the introduction of technology in schools . Whilst students may have previously hidden their electronics from their teachers, many are now being encouraged to bring and use them in class as learning tools.

It is one of education’s biggest debate at the moment: does technology in the classroom help or hinder student achievement? With such amazing advances in technology over the past decade, the temptation would be to use as much of it as possible. But just because some technology is available, does it mean we should use it?

We know from various pieces of evidence that excessive mobile phone use can have a negative impact on students. For example:

Students who use their phone too much in the evening go to bed later and get less, lower-quality sleep ;
Research suggests a negative association between screen time and school performance ;
And there’s evidence to suggest that banning mobile phones at school improves student performance.

So, is technology as useful back in the classroom? And can it play a key role in enhancing learning? Let’s dive into the research and look at the pros and cons…

What is EdTech?

Education technology (Edtech) refers to technological processes and tools to improve education. It includes all forms of technology, from interactive whiteboards to visualisers or apps. Its aim is to deliver a new form of learning.

What does the research say about Edtech?

As with most things in education, there are conflicting views as to the effectiveness of Edtech. Research suggests that staff believe that technology can enhance their communication with students and reduce teaching pressure. However, they also have concerns regarding student achievement and expenditure.

Everyone from parents/guardians, teachers, education professionals to students themselves want to find the best ways to learn. But given that using technology in schools is a fairly recent introduction, what are the pros and cons?

7 pros of tech in the classroom

1. student attitudes and engagement.

Although there is limited evidence so far to suggest that using modern technology in the classroom, particularly tablets, can actually improve grades, there is a whole host of evidence to suggest other benefits (which in turn may translate to improved grades).

For example, one particular study found that use of iPads in the classroom increased students’ perceptions of their engagement (e.g. “ the iPad motivated me to learn more course material ” or “ I participated more in class during iPad activities than during activities that did not use the iPad ”). Furthermore, a large literature review of the use of tablets in education found evidence that they enable students to be more independent in class and improve their motivation to learn.

Research also suggests that interactive activities have the potential to boost student learning. For example, online platforms allow students to collaborate and incorporate technology into the classroom, making the act of learning more interesting for today’s students. Evidence suggests that technology in the classroom can make students more motivated to learn and take more ownership of their learning. The same study found that over one-third of teachers found classroom technology was likely to encourage students to be more self-directed and created more interactive lessons.

2. Working with others

We often hear about how phones and technology alienate and disconnect us from real-life social relationships. However, when it comes to tablets in the classroom, it seems to be a different story.

Research has pointed to the benefits of class technology on the more social aspect of learning. For example, evidence from a literature review found that, as tablets increased student engagement, they also had a positive effect on students’ abilities to work with others to solve problems and master difficult material. Tablets not only increased communication and collaboration between students, but also between students and teachers and among teachers.

3. Improving a range of skills

Does technology actually have any direct impact on learning? This large survey study in Quebec found some key impacts of using tablet technology: it enabled teachers and students to get more creative, improved IT skills (of both students and teachers) and provided a greater variety of resources and learning materials. In line with this, students report that having a tablet makes it easier for them to organise their learning, access their class materials and resources and feel more “connected”.

Another literature review suggested that using tablets in the classroom may have a positive impact on language and literacy skills. In particular, they found that using e-reading on tablets was a great way to support students who struggled with literacy, including students with English as a second language. However, they did also add that more thorough research is needed to establish any true effect of tablets on literacy skills.

4. Technology for SEN

Another key advantage of using technology such as tablets in the classroom is the power it has to help children with Special Educational Needs (SEN). Tablets can aid the learning of children with SEN in different ways, such as helping children with visual impairments and learning difficulties to read and write, or improving social and organisation skills for those who struggle with these, including autistic children.

In fact, the Education Endowment Foundation outlines technology as a key recommendation for ensuring that all students, including those with SEN, have access to high-quality teaching. Using tablets can empower these children. Technology puts them more in control of their learning, developing confidence that enables them to improve further.

5. Reducing teacher workload

While the impact of technology on student learning is key, we should consider the impact on teachers too. In the literature on technology in education, teachers report that using tablets for lessons requires little preparation, and that it makes marking classwork and assignments easier. So, used well, technology has the capacity to leave more time for teaching and learning, as well as reduce teacher workload and their hours of planning time.

6. Improves digital literacy

The House of Lords report stated that “ Digital literacy should be the fourth pillar of a child’s education alongside reading, writing and Mathematics… ” Although we wouldn’t put it on a par with those other areas, in today’s world, being tech-savvy is an important skill for students’ learning and future career. Integrating technology as part of their education could build a foundation for students to benefit from in the long term.

7. Bridging the gap

Finally, technology has the capacity to bridge the worrying attainment gap . It has the potential to do this in two ways…

The first one is that technology allows to extend learning to the home environment. One interesting study compared tablet use between students who personal owned a tablet they could take home and students who could only access tablets for certain lessons. The researchers suggested that personal ownership was the “ single most important factor for successful use of tablet technology ”. Personal ownership gives the same access to learning outside of school as more advantaged students to more disadvantaged students who might otherwise have to share devices at home – if they have any.

However, the attainment gap is not only about a rich/poor divide . There’s also the gap between the more outgoing children who thrive in the classroom and the more quiet, non-assuming but equally bright students who might do better with more time to get their head around things. These students may have thrived in remote learning, able to work at their own pace and developing their confidence.

One of the biggest causes of the attainment gap is actually that different students need different amounts of learning time. The second way rests on the idea that technology (such as in the form of personal tablets) can continue to allow a more personalised learning experience both in class and at home. This can enable students to work at their own pace and help to bridge the attainment gap.

Furthermore, evidence suggests that extending students’ abilities to learn outside classroom further supports their independent learning and helps them to develop metacognitive skills .

7 cons of tech in the classroom

1. associated costs.

Of course, the main drawback of technology in the classroom is the cost involved. For example, using tablets with personal ownership could mean big benefits but also big costs. What’s more, if only the wealthier schools and areas can afford this luxury, this may only exacerbate the disadvantage gap. And even if every school could afford it, it is worth considering the opportunity cost – could this money be better spent elsewhere?

Even as tablet technology becomes more widely available and the amount of education technology content is increasing, they remain expensive and simply aren’t accessible to all students.

2. Tech = distraction = teacher workload

Let’s be honest: any device with an internet connection has a potential for distraction. Need to message a friend? You can do it right there. Fancy a quick game? Right there. Want to check the weather for this weekend? Right there.

The large survey study in Quebec , despite finding that tablets in the classroom had a positive impact on learning, also found that many students found it hard to resist the temptations of chatting with friends or playing games. And teachers felt that this was impacting students’ academic achievement.

Furthermore, a study published in the Journal of Communication Education showed that students without mobile phones performed better academically as they were able to recall more detailed information. These students also scored a full grade-and-a-half higher on a multiple-choice test than those who actively used their mobile phones.

However, many people still feel that distraction should not be a barrier to the benefits of technology in the classroom, and that avoiding technology distraction is simply a matter of classroom management. Efforts to limit distraction can include shutting off internet access during lessons and restricting access to certain websites and apps.

Even if this is the case, as educators, are we just making life more difficult for ourselves? Are we simply adding to the workload of classroom management? And is it really worth it?

3. Everyone needs paper

Distraction isn’t the only potential way for technology to disrupt classroom learning. An influential piece of research conducted at Princeton University found that students who hand-wrote notes in class had greater understanding of the content and performed better in a test than students who took notes on a laptop.

There should be a warning against going all-tech. Writing on paper remains an invaluable skill for students. Even if you decide technology is a great tool in your classroom, it’s important to leave time to practice writing by hand, on paper.

4. The Google Effect

Even if typing notes doesn’t hinder learning, there is a potential technology issue that occurs with finding information online. This is nicely illustrated by a particular thinking bias called The Google Effect. Also referred to as digital amnesia , this is when people are more likely to forget information they can easily find online through search engines like Google or Bing. When people believe the information will be stored online or saved electronically, they make less of an effort to remember this information.

This “cognitive offloading” can help to free up our cognitive load, allowing us to focus on other information. However, if students over-rely on technology to remember information for them, they won’t transfer this information into their long-term memory. And when Google isn’t here to help them in exam situations, they won’t be able to recall it.

5. Room for cheating

Access to technology means access to messaging services or internet searches. This could allow students to google or ask their peers for answers to test questions or how to complete a task.

6. Fake information

The internet is open to almost everyone. Whilst this is beneficial to many, it also allows people to provide inaccurate information to others. It is important for students to be aware of how to identify reliable sources .

7. Logistics

One thing you never see on the fancy Edtech promo videos is the stress of charging 30 tablets, the Wi-Fi going down at the worst time, or students forgetting their login details. The nitty-gritty reality of using technology in the classroom often isn’t as smooth or effortless as it may first appear. Therefore, there is potential for it to eat into valuable teaching time, meaning the opportunity cost isn’t just financial.

Final thoughts

Modern technology, such as tablets, could play a very important role in enhancing education, as well as helping to bridge the achievement gap. However, to avoid problems of distraction, it needs to be skillfully implemented. This means good organisation, classroom management and, of course, there may be large costs.

That is the big picture. Ultimately, it’s up to schools to weigh up the information and consider whether benefits outweigh costs and effort, to decide if and how they can use modern technology in their classrooms.

About the author

Bradley Busch

Bradley Busch is a Chartered Psychologist and a leading expert on illuminating Cognitive Science in education. As Director at InnerDrive, his work focuses on translating complex psychological research into accessible, practical strategies. Over the past 13 years, he has delivered thousands of workshops for educators and students, helping improve how they think, learn and perform. Bradley is also a prolific writer: he co-authored four books including Teaching & Learning Illuminated and The Science of Learning, as well as regularly featuring in publications such as The Guardian and The Telegraph.

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Disadvantages Of Technology In The Classroom Essay Sample

In the digital age, more and more educators are integrating technology into their classrooms. While some aspects of this have been positive for students, there are some disadvantages as well. In this sample, I will outline some of those disadvantages so that you can make a better-educated decision about whether or not to use technology in your classroom setting.

Essay Sample On Disadvantages Of Technology In The Classroom

Thesis Statement – Disadvantages Of Technology In The Classroom Essay
Introduction – Disadvantages Of Technology In the Classroom Essay
Main Body – Disadvantages Of Technology In The Classroom Essay
Conclusion – Disadvantages of Technology In The Classroom Essay

Thesis Statement – Disadvantages Of Technology In The Classroom Essay The use of technology in the classroom is not advantageous to the students. Technology should be used sparingly and only when you consider it vital to learning because it can reduce students’ opportunities for social interaction. Introduction – Disadvantages Of Technology In the Classroom Essay The incorporation of technology in the classroom is changing the way of teaching and learning. For most people be it the students, parents, or teachers, technology is quite beneficial in the education sector. But on the other hand, technology also proves to be risky and not beneficial. It can be distracting and increases the chance of cheating in an exam. When people think that digital education is a better means to study and understand better, but it also lowers the personal interaction between the student and teacher. Get Non-Plagiarized Custom Essay on Disadvantages Of Technology In The Classroom in USA Order Now Main Body – Disadvantages Of Technology In The Classroom Essay Using technology in the classroom means that there is no engagement between the student and the teacher personally. The traditional classroom lectures and classroom engagement is disappearing slowly due to the higher use of technology in the education sector. This is because now lectures and engagement is considered in no match with the digital notes and digital classrooms which are available on phones, tablets, and laptops. Using and incorporating technology in the classroom and getting direct help from technology can have many disadvantages and negative aspects. so all pros and cons of technology are discussed below: Classroom distraction: Students learn and understand better in classroom lectures than notes given on computers or tablets. Moreover, using a laptop can distract the student and can make them get poor grades in their examinations. According to research, a student will not pay attention fully if they are studying from their laptops and tablets. There is more chance that in the midst of study session they will have the urge to check the internet for favorite internet search or check their FaceBook and Instagram account. So, in this way, they can get distracted from their studies if they use the computer and tablets. In this regard, special care should be taken by the teachers. The lectures given by the teachers must be equally interesting and they also must make certain guidelines for the students to use technology in the classroom. In this way, technology and attending a classroom lecture can be balanced well by the students. Lack of Social Interaction: If a student only uses technology in his or studies by themselves and get excess help from assignment expert online then they will not be able to get involved in verbal interaction with the teachers and their classmates. But if they create their classroom assignment in groups in their classes during the presence of teachers, they will know how to use technology and interact orally. Moreover, it is quite ok to use technology in class if it is controlled by the teacher. Cheating in-class assignments: The increasing technology in classes has made ways for easy cheating. Students even just copy content from some online sources and paste it into their copy as if it is their own creation. Moreover, with the increasing online services of homework helpers and assignment helpers, students hire them to get their work done. The barrier between rich and poor: The use of technology can create differences between rich students and poor students. While the rich students will make full use of the technology with their laptops, I-Pads and smartphones, and the poor students will make use of books and library books since they cannot afford to buy these devices. So, just don’t make technology the only means to educate the students in the class and make them take urgent assignment help online. Un-reliable online sources: There are negative and positive aspects of the Internet. Students must not solely rely on online resources. Teachers must guide the students to identify and trust only reliable sources. In this regard, campus writing services and the right source filled with educational resources and notes can be proved beneficial. Technology: Having technology in the education sector is indeed good and it proved very beneficial for many reasons. But, the technology always affects the relationship between the student and the teacher. Teachers must never use excess technology to teach their students. This is said so because the student might replace their teachers with technology. In this regard, students tend to use technology assignment help which is increasing at a higher pace. The use of technology in class is very highly effective. So, there must be a sensible use of technology in the classroom. If this idea is followed then the teachers will be able to keep their students engaging. Moreover, better and sensible use of technology in the classroom can lead to best experiences and learning a new method of teaching and learning as well. Buy Customized Essay on Disadvantages Of Technology In The Classroom At Cheapest Price Order Now Conclusion – Disadvantages of Technology In The Classroom Essay Technology in the classroom has its advantages and disadvantages. Technology is a vital part of education today and will only become more important as time goes on. In this day and age, it would be difficult to operate a school without it because it’s just part of our everyday life. The use of technology can help teachers provide lessons that are hands-on and interactive for students, which helps keep their interest. On the other hand, there are some disadvantages that come with using technology in modern classrooms such as interruptions caused by social media, distractions from texting while at school, increased costs from buying new devices every year, etc. Buy Customized Essay on Disadvantages Of Technology In The Classroom At Cheapest Price Order Now

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Transitioning Out of Teaching Is Hard. Here’s What I’ve Learned

A solitary woman is highlighted in a spotlight.

Nearly a decade ago, I left what I thought would be a lifelong career as an educator after just a few years in the classroom. Although there was much I truly cherished about my career as a K-12 teacher, I didn’t find the professional respect, work-life balance, and compensation I needed to thrive both personally and professionally.

I’m hardly alone in this. Even veterans of the classroom with decades of experience are contemplating an early departure from the profession , driven not by a lack of love for teaching but by a system that fails to compensate them fairly, protect their well-being, or set reasonable expectations for employees. In recent years, stories of educators asked to clean school buildings or restrooms on their off days or being involuntarily reassigned mid-school year underline the profound disrespect many teachers face.

The lack of upward mobility or opportunities for advancement in the teaching profession can also contribute to teachers’ desire to leave the field. I pursued national-board certification and then found a ceiling—there was nowhere to go in the school system. For professionals like me who desire continual career growth, this ceiling can drive us to look outside the teaching profession.

The professional journey of a teacher often lacks the lateral mobility enjoyed in other professions. For those working in other industries, professional boredom or unhappiness may mean moving to a new company or taking on a new role altogether. They have opportunities to build new skills and populate a robust resume.

In contrast, career-advancement opportunities for K-12 teachers are limited, primarily confined to administrative roles that do not appeal to many teachers. Furthermore, these positions require a different skill set than classroom teaching.

This lack of mobility within the profession, coupled with inadequate exposure to the culture of job-getting outside the education sector, can leave teachers at a disadvantage. When teachers are unfamiliar in the art of negotiating positions or adapting to new office politics, they lose out on these fundamental elements of professional growth.

The world of teaching alone also leaves many teachers feeling pigeonholed, their years of dedication to education paradoxically becoming their biggest barrier to exploration beyond it.

Teachers are often told that leading a classroom is the world’s most challenging and complex profession, but that sentiment doesn’t help them translate their teaching experience beyond the classroom. Many find the skills that define them as educators do not neatly translate into the resume language valued in the corporate world. Their expertise in people management, data analysis, and problem-solving, honed over years of managing classrooms and nurturing young minds, seems lost in translation when it comes to the corporate job market.

Instead, a teacher’s resume often reads as a static record of their employment history, devoid of the dynamic skills and achievements that could make them attractive candidates in other sectors.

For me, transitioning out of teaching required me to learn new skills. I took on volunteer and freelance work to broaden my skill set. Those experiences working outside the education space also gave me the opportunity to interact with a broader set of professionals in new spaces and apply the skills I had cultivated in the classroom beyond teaching.

Yet, hope is not lost. The pathway out of the classroom and into new professional realms requires a paradigm shift in how teachers and employers view teachers’ skills. The journey involves reimagining the resume not as a mere record but as a strategic tool that highlights the transferability of teaching skills to a wide array of sectors.

In my work developing a platform to support teachers’ career transitions, I help them understand how to translate their teaching skills into the language of various industries. It’s about recognizing the value in the competencies developed in the classroom—competencies that are desperately needed in the broader professional world.

I myself initially assumed that the skills I honed in the classroom were irrelevant outside it. This mindset kept me confined to education-focused roles for years before I realized the transferability of my teaching expertise and learned how to talk about the value I would bring to an organization.

Illustration of a professional woman at the door opening to a bright exterior with computer code in the air.

We must also make systemic changes beyond what is in any one teacher’s control. First, districts need to create pathways for growth as teacher-leaders or other roles within schools that help them build a diverse skill set—and resume. No worker’s trajectory should flatten once they enter their chosen profession.

Secondly, schools of education could better support the professional growth of teachers by preparing education degree-seekers for an array of roles beyond the classroom. They should make students aware of the teacher-turnover rates, provide direct instruction around how to build skills valued in the workplace more generally, and advise on how to talk about their capabilities.

By offering courses that expressly focus on building transferable skills and building awareness of the array of career options for educators, these institutions can better equip graduates for the reality of their career trajectories. Teachers who end up choosing to transition out of education need to see how to translate what they’ve learned on the job.

Teacher-preparation programs can also support students by establishing partnerships between schools, businesses, and industry associations. These efforts—such as industry-sponsored projects, mentorship programs, or even guest lectures—would provide teacher-candidates with essential networking and skill-building opportunities.

Experiential learning opportunities, too, such as job-shadowing programs and internships can expose prospective teachers to the culture of job-getting in other industries. Such collaborative initiatives can bridge the gap between teaching roles and the broader landscape of available jobs for education professionals.

Teachers aren’t stuck, but they do face a Herculean task when they want to make a career pivot. It’s time we better support those who raise their hands to do the complex work of teaching and advocate a system that values their professional growth. We must recognize their potential not only in the classroom but in the wider world.

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2. This essay sample was donated by a student to help the academic community. Papers provided by EduBirdie writers usually outdo students' samples. Cite this essay. Download. In our day and age, technology is a predominant feature in our everyday lives so it's no wonder that technology has made a debut in the classroom.
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Technology might be making education worse

5 Disadvantages of Technology in the Classroom (And How to Overcome Them)

Distracting Students

Requires Management and Training

Leads to Tech Disparity

Less Face Time

Final Thoughts

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Is technology good or bad for learning?

The pragmatic

Future Educators

Pros and Cons of Technology in the Classroom

Advantages of Technology in Education

1. Access high-quality, current information

2. Gather student performance metrics easily

3. Students learn technology skills

4. Improved student participation and engagement

5. Automate repetitive tasks

Disadvantages to Technology in the Classroom

1. Faster but less memorable learning

2. Technology can be distracting

3. Less direct social interaction

4. Integrating tech is often time consuming

6 Tips on How To Engage With Students

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Technology in the Classroom: Pros, Cons, Best Practices and Examples

Table of Contents

Pros of Technology in the Classroom

Cons of Technology in the Classroom

Best Practices for Using Technology in the Classroom

Examples of Technology in the Classroom

Challenges of Implementing Technology in the Classroom

Frequently Asked Questions and Answers (FAQs)

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9.3: What are disadvantages to technology in the classroom?

Distracting Students

Requires Management and Training

Leads to Tech Disparity

Less Face Time

Final Thoughts

ChatGPT for Teachers

Pros of digital devices in the classroom

Cons of digital devices in the classroom

Should schools permit digital devices?

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21 Technology in the Classroom Pros and Cons

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