Digital Technology In The Classroom


Digital technology has had a major impact on almost every aspect of life today including a change in educational practice. It has greatly expanded access to educational opportunities in ways we could never imagine before. A school classroom does not look very different to how it did decades ago although instead of just using books, students and teachers will be seen using laptops, tablets, smart boards etc. Considering that we find most of our reliable sources from books, the internet access has opened a next level magnitude to massive amounts of information online and has enabled new ways of learning, communicating and working collaboratively.

 Many people have asked the question if technology would ever replace the role of a teacher and many have answered saying no and that educational technologies are currently aiding teachers in their work, not completely taking over them. They are seen as tools not replacements.

 The bearing of technology on the role of the teacher has been one of the most contested areas of educational technology discussion and debate over the past 50 years or so. On one hand, some academic commentators hold a strongly held belief that techno- logy will displace the teacher (or as a few people will have it, has already replaced the need for a teacher altogether). Conversely, many people would also consider technology as a great support to the human processes of teaching. (Selwyn, 2016, p.117)

 The relationship between teacher and learner has been a central component of education and learning throughout history. Whether in the formal guide of a professor, lecturer, trainer or in less formal roles of mentor and guide, the notion of ‘the teacher’ is an integral element of our understanding of what education is, and how education takes place. In a basic sense, then, a teacher can be defined as a person who educates others – supporting the learning (Selwyn, 2016, p.116)
the notion of developed ‘virtual campus’ and the idea of schools and universities that are hosted entirely online have obvious consequences for the role of the teacher. Indeed, while not foreseeing the complete replacement of the teacher, a number of major current debates about education and technology imply a substantial reduction in the numbers of teachers required to continue the process of education. (Selwyn, 2016, p.119)

For example, in the field of international development, there is much interest in using digital technologies to provide a high-quality mass education throughout the developing world via the creation of so-called Mega-Schools and Mega-Universities. Here teaching is provided through a combination of technology-based distance learning and community-based support (Daniel 2010).

All of these proposals for learner-centered and learner-managed educational provision pose serious challenges to the need for the physical presence of the teacher. (Selwyn, 2016, p.119)

So why is technology so easily used in our every day school life ? and what are the downfalls?

 Pros :
-       Experimenting with pedagogy
Technology has created an environment that has allowed students and teachers to actively learn through a variety of pedagogy. The use of technology gives teachers unlimited access to free digital tools and recources that will help to make the subject more relevant to students and engage them better for long-term learning.

-       Immediate access to the latest information
Using technology in the classroom gives students access to daily information that is up to date and not only having the option to rely entirely on text books. There is a collaborative learning environment where students can work together to share information and access the most relevant and efficient information.

-       Automates monotonous tasks
Using technology in the classroom is an effective way to save teachers and school staff from the boredom of monotonous tasks. Using technology, teachers can grade online assignments, take attendance, plan lessons as well as send out regular messages to parents about their children. 

-       Makes students independent learners
Technology also enables students to be independent learners and tackle tasks that are assigned to them by their teachers to complete using technology, instead of spoon-feeding the information to the students, like this they learn how to leverage digital tools to get the academic queries resolved and learn on their own.

Cons:
-       Technology can be a distraction
Technology can always be a distraction especially when it comes to the classroom as it can detract the attention away from the task at hand.

-       Too much screen time
Many parents and teachers fear that introducing technology in the classroom will lead too much screen time for students. Some people believe that staring at a screen during school hours simply compounds an already existing problem where children use screen stimulation for learning and entertainment. This screen time can not only be detrimental to the eyesight of the kids but can lead to mental exhaustion as well.

-       Technology can lead to cheating 
Cheating is nothing new when it comes to exams or assignments but with the use of technology it makes it easier for students to easily copy someone’s work or steal ideas. Although teachers have been more aware of this and have structured ways in which will make cheating impossible.

-       Lack of human connection
 Technology can create a classroom environment devoid of human connection. As each student concentrates and works using their device, the classroom can turn into a very anti-social place with limited interaction with peers.


References
Assets.publishing.service.gov.uk. (2019). [online] Available at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/284286/reading_for_pleasure.pdf

Daniel, J. (2010) Mega-Schools, Technology and Teachers, London, Routledge.
Fedena Blog. (2019). Teachers vs Technology: Can Technology Replace Teachers? - Fedena Blog. [online] Available at: https://fedena.com/blog/2018/05/teachers-vs-technology-can-technology-replace-teachers.html

Fedena Blog. (2019). Technology in The Classroom: Decoding the Pros and Cons - Fedena Blog. [online] Available at: https://fedena.com/blog/2018/06/technology-in-the-classroom-decoding-the-pros-and-cons.html

Selwyn, N., & Facer, K. (2014). The sociology of education and digital technology: Past, present and future. Oxford Review of Education, 40(4), 482-496. https://doi.org/10.1080/03054985.2014.933005

Selwyn, N. (2016). Education and technology: Key issues and debates. Bloomsbury Publishing.

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