Isaac Chang

Professor Padgett
UWRT 1102 093
4 April 2015

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In many universities and colleges around the US, there is controversy surrounding the
benefits of having online classes. People question if students can actually learn an entire course
through online presentations in comparison to the traditional classroom setting. There are many
arguments against it because it is known to be an inhibitor to learning due to the distractions that
come along with it. Others question if students have enough experience with technology to fully
engage in the course. I believe that with proper use and knowledge, technology improves
education and encourages learning.
There are a lot of issues to consider when applying technology to learning. One issue is
the students level of technological literacy and another is the distractions that come with having
the ability to access technology. I believe that the two issues are directly correlated. The
solutions to these issues are also interconnected. Once a person develops the ability to
effectively use technology, it is important that the person is aware of the distractions and dangers
they may face while online. There has been a study that shows students lack of attention in
classrooms due to the educators lack of experience in teaching with technology (Taneja, Cyberslacking). Many of the teachers I have had have used dull, white powerpoints during their
lectures. This often was followed by a silent classroom and little bright screens coming from
inside my classmates laps. Im suggesting that perhaps its not only the distractions but perhaps
the lack of attention due to lack of engagement to the standard of what is keeping the minds of
young students.

Isaac Chang
Professor Padgett
UWRT 1102 093
4 April 2015

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I have to bring into mind that there are issues of psychological inabilities lacking
attention (Krueger, Downsides Of Smartphones, Tablets, and Computers). However, it is
important to understand that there is constant changing to learning. For example social learning
in society is moving toward learning to be social through the digital world more so rather than
face to face. It would be important to teach how to be technologically aware when having access
to new pieces of the technology. There are altruistic hopes when teachers are having students
connect with other students around the world (Ching-Ting, Influence Of Young Children) but
there is the issue of cyber-bullying and the much like bullying face to face, has its similar social
issues. I believe much like using social media sites its important to learn the discretion lies with
what is worth teaching and what should be thrown out.
Im not saying online classes should be thrown out, nor am I doubting the efficiency of
those classes, but there are many flaws having a strictly online class. For example, when
considering to instruct an online class, it has to be certain the accessibility and easy use of its
template. This is also assuming the standard level of what most students literacy is when taking
these online classes. There have been issues of malfunctions and misunderstanding as students
tried to access the site in which their homework or test is on. Another issue is the need for the
educator to be present during the learning process. Assuming good composition of the online
class and course material be well laid out, there will be lack of synergy of a passion between
teacher and student(Weakness of Online Learning). There is the issue of knowing when to teach
things online when it is better to teach face to face. For example, physical activity such as sports
where there is direct connection between the educator and student, versus the digital medium that

Isaac Chang
Professor Padgett
UWRT 1102 093
4 April 2015

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inhibit questioning of methods while doing that physical activity. A student at UNC Charlotte
recently explained to me that if her calculus class was online, she would have failed. She says
this because though her class was not online, she had difficulty in understanding the material. It
was the help of her tutor that got her through the class.
When considering the intrinsic belief of learning with technology and the growing
economy with technology, the relationship between the two will continue to grow. There is a
growing demand for peoples that are technologically literate. Like Plant City Middle School,
students are immersed in technologically education. The teachers are intrinsically hopeful to help
and guide their students so they can compete in the global market (Shapley, Middle School).
Giving them the same technologies they would see in the work place, they properly teach them
how to use it correctly and efficiently. Most importantly is their encouragement for all students to
enroll in these programs. Its explained that the programs are set up not like a computer lab, or
exclusively for gifted students (Shapley, Middle School). There is the growing encouragement to
be familiar with the growing digital economy for everyone. In many schools across the country,
students are being provided with advanced forms of technology such as tablets and high-tech
calculators( Li, Schools introduce new technology education labs). Students use tablets instead of
textbooks and have access to online articles which saves paper. Calculators are now having the
ability to solve problems that took students in last decade long amounts of time to solve. Society
is growing to be completely immersed in technology where most of the business and medical
fields surround themselves with advanced pieces of technology( Li, Schools introduce new
technology education labs).

Isaac Chang
Professor Padgett
UWRT 1102 093
4 April 2015

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I believe with the right application and awareness, technology greatly improves education
and encourages learning. With the future growing toward the need for technology, it is our
responsibility to find the discretion in teaching the problems that come with the new age and
knowing when to apply technology. The use of technology in education can be controversial.
Some issues that arise include: technological literacy, online distractions and dangers, and digital
medium that inhibit learning. But with the proper awareness and understanding of what the
issues of technology are, technology greatly improves learning and continues to influence
innovations for even further learning.
Annotated Bibliography
Topic: Applying technology in learning
Inquiry How does technology affect the learning curve in means of learning?
Proposed Thesis Technology has greatly improved education in means of learning
academically.
Shapley, Kelly, et al. "Effects Of Technology Immersion On Middle School Students' Learning
Opportunities And Achievement." Journal Of Educational Research104.5 (2011): 299315. Academic Search Premier. Web. 11 Mar. 2015.

This study focused on the efficiency in immersing middle school students in technology
and sought out to see if it made a difference in their education. This study shows that indeed, it
enhanced their academic drive and better acquainted the students with the 21st century. However
the tests proved nothing because there were no significant improvements due to trouble
implementing the technology and sustainment i.e repairs and networking. I was more intrigued
by the improvement of academic drive as it shows in text, Technology Immersion supported

Isaac Chang
Professor Padgett
UWRT 1102 093
4 April 2015

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their vision for learning opportunities that intellectually challenged and motivationally engaged
students, inspired students to learn on their own, and prepared students for life, further education,
and careers.
KRUEGER, CHAD A. "The Downside Of Smartphones, Tablets, And Computers." AAOS Now
7.6 (2013): 53. Academic Search Premier. Web. 11 Mar. 2015.
This piece more exclusively explains the issues of technology and its problems when it
comes to learning and education. While one can understand the distractions of a smartphone,
this piece brings into attention what the problems are that can occur in a classroom and also
outside classrooms when you are still trying to engage in learning. I intend to use this piece as
my foundation of understanding the argument against technology in a learning environment.

Taneja, Aakash, Vincent Fiore, and Briana Fischer. "Cyber-slacking in the Classroom: Potential
for Digital Distraction in the New Age." (2014): n. pag. 17 Nov. 2014. Web. 11 Mar. 2015.
This piece unravels the reasons of cyber-slacking when it comes to technology in the
classroom. This survey showed that the lack of attention correlated with the educators lack of
experience in teaching with technology. I intend to use the data they gathered in methods they
used in preventing lack of attention, cyber-slacking anxiety, and distraction by others'
cyberslacking behavior. I intend to use quotes from the educators in how they applied the new
technology and how it has improved their academic careers in their teaching the students.

Isaac Chang
Professor Padgett
UWRT 1102 093
4 April 2015

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LI, WENQIANG. "Schools introduce new technology education labs." The Tampa Tribune 2
Feb. 1992, METROPOLITAN, PLANT CITY: 1. NewsBank. Web. 11 Mar. 2015.
This news article further explains the growing demand for technology in profession. This
student explains how with good assistance, he was able to learn hands on, pieces of technology
that will help reach stepping stones in his career. He also explains that the lab he worked in
had computer drafting and design, computer-controlled equipment, visual communications,
desktop publishing, electronics, robotics, lasers and fiber optics but mentioned that the program
he was in was not just for gifted students, I intend to use this piece as a perspective in the
importance of being technologically literate and how the world is in need of technological
literate people.
Ching-Ting, Hsin, Li Ming-Chaun, and Tsai Chin-Chung. "The Influence Of Young Children's
Use Of Technology On Their Learning: A Review." Journal Of Educational Technology &
Society 17.4 (2014): 85-99. Academic Search Premier. Web. 11 Mar. 2015.
The piece reinforces my ideas in approaching my paper. This piece talks of the
importance of technology in the learning environment. This piece is focused on young children
and how technology can improve quality of life. Excluding the previously talked issues of
attention problems and cyber-slacking, the mention of socially being irrelevant was one of the
issues of the technological movement. This piece, however, talks about how they applied
technology to be more multicultural and being more interconnected with others and with the
right assistance mentioned before, I intend to use this piece to help justify in particular, the social

Isaac Chang
Professor Padgett
UWRT 1102 093
4 April 2015

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boundaries of technology in young children even though there are criticism on social aspects of
the growing technologically movement.
"Weaknesses of Online Learning." Weaknesses of Online Learning. University Of Illinois, 15
Mar. 2015. Web. 13 Apr. 2015.
I intend to this piece and my bringing up of the issues of technology and learning. This
piece exclusively states the negative weakness of online classes. This piece will be used to bring
up the question the reliability of online classes. I intend to use it to be a discretionary of using
technology properly in the means of teaching.