Allison Greenwood April 11, 2014 Rhetoric

Technology in Classrooms

With each day, the technology world is increasing. It can be strenuous to try to keep up with this growing field, but it is vital for people who are growing up in this era and will need to know these skills in their own professions. Although many people may be resistant to this change, there are some groups of people that must embrace this trend in order for the majority of people to be successful, one example being schools. According to Alfonzo Porter, some people see school as a place where technology can be distracting. He defends the side that some students are not able to distinguish when it is time for using their technological devices and when it is time to put them away and pay attention with class, claiming that this causes teachers to have to use valuable class time to tell them to stop. Porter also claims that the use of technology can cause a lack of critical thinking (Porter). I disagree with Porter, and so does Karehka Ramey. Ramey wrote about many aspects by which technology actually makes education easier and more effective. First, Ramey discussed technology in the sense of online classes and how they are more effective because they allow people to complete their work on their own time and students from different geographical locations can attend the same class without the need of traveling. Ramey also explains that with programs such as Skype, classes can be held online using face-to-face interactions with people in any location (Ramey).

Ramey also argues that technology can be a source of motivation for students. He goes on to explain that the use of computer based instructions make students feel more in control of what they learn and get less frustrated because computers are more patient than humans are. The use of Gamification educational technology has allowed more students to have interest in their learning. Teachers can also use educational video games and puzzles to help students solve a variety of academic problems. This makes the learning process more enjoyable for students, and thus, more effective (Ramey). According to the article, Reasons for Bringing Technology into Schools, many teachers believe that computer-based technology can provide support for higher level thinking processes and that technology provides better problem solving skills. Some teachers explained that supports from technology can offer complex concepts or scaffolding thinking (Reasons for Bringing Technology into Schools). Introducing technology can also be a way to encourage motivation and self-esteem. Through both personal experience and a review of experiments, many people found that there was a dramatic effect that technology can have on students interest in class activities and of their own capabilities. These benefits are viewed as occurring for all students, but the students who seem most impacted by the use of technology are primarily from lower socioeconomic status homes. This means that the use of technology within schools also allows for students to be closer related and connected with each other despite cultural differences (Reasons for Bringing Technology into Schools). Ramey also discusses how the use of electronic books, pod-casts, digital libraries, educational games, educational videos/instructions, tutorials, and more all help students gain access to open educational resources. He says that the use of cell phones can actually help

students and teachers access educational information using Edtech Apps. Teachers are also using technology in order to come up with more information to teach their students. Teachers can use programs such as TeacherTube, Youtube, and 02 Learn to use lessons already created by other teachers (Ramey). Ramey also defends his position that technology increases collaboration between teachers and students. With the help of technology, teachers are now able to reach their students easier than ever. He also explains that teachers can use texting applications, such as remind101.com, to text students about upcoming assignments or tests. Even cites such as Pinterest.com can be used to help students. Pinterest can be used for students to follow teachers and other educators. Ramey explains that this can also be an excellent resource for shy students to help improve their grades (Ramey). The in the article Critical Issue: Promoting Technology Use in Schools, Jan Gahala argues that new technology promotes meaningful, engaged learning, and allows students to work on authentic, meaningful, and challenging problems, similar to tasks performed by professionals in various disciplines He goes on to explain that technology also helps people to interact with professionals in those fields and that technology can be used to develop a higherorder of thinking. Gahala also addresses the fact that technology allows for teachers to act as, facilitators or guides and often as a co-learner, with their students (Gahala).

Gahala continues his argument for the use of technology by saying that it is beneficial in the classroom and that teachers can develop countless technology-supported engaging learning projects that allow students to work on real-world issues and retrieve information from online

sources. This also allows students the ability to get information from experts. These types of projects can be adjusted to a variety of skill levels (Gahala).

Another reason for why technology should be included within our schools is that it prepares students for the jobs of the future. As our society evolves, it incorporates more and more technology. In the future, all jobs will require some form of technical skills. The use of technology in schools prepares students for the advanced working conditions of the future. The advantages of knowing how to use a computer are endless and allow students to be more experienced and creative in their fields. According to research, the most popular jobs today will be of no value in the next 5-10 years, because technology will automate most of these tasks, so it is better to equip our children with technical skills so that they create their own jobs (Ramey). Many educators felt that schools have a responsibility to give their students, especially students from lower socioeconomic status homes, the confidence and skills in using technology that they will need after graduating. This article also quotes a middle school principle saying, I don't care what field they're in, be it factory worker, office worker, medicine or whatever. [There is no place where technology will not be used.] It's getting harder and harder to get jobs. You want your kids to get a leg up. It's becoming a necessary ingredient (Reasons for Bringing Technology into Schools). Overall, there is an abundance of reasons why schools should promote the use of technology within their classrooms and overall curriculum. Technology opens doors for both students and teachers in regards to the resources available and the creative ways that technology can make life easier. Technology can also make things more efficient and yet allows for more complex thinking by the students. I see no reason not to encourage the use of technology within schools.

Works Cited Gahala, Jan. "Critical Issue: Promoting Technology Use in Schools." Critical Issue: Promoting Technology Use in Schools. N.p., Oct. 2001. Web. 10 Apr. 2014. Porter, Alfonzo. "The Problem with Technology in Schools." Washington Post. The Washington Post, 28 Jan. 2013. Web. 11 Apr. 2014. Ramey, Karehka. "The Use of Technology In Education and Teaching Process." Use of Technology. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Apr. 2014. "Reasons For Bringing Technology Into Schools." Reasons for Bringing Technology Into Schools. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Apr. 2014.