Technology in Education (EdTech) is growing at an astounding pace, and students can’t get enough of it. This begs the question of whether the rapid adoption and integration of technology into education is a healthy measure or one that will bite us in the long term.

In this article, we will try to answer that question by exploring the pros and cons of technology by analyzing the impact it has had on the students and the teachers.

Technology is, without a doubt, the way forward for the society we live in, but whether our current education system can afford the paradigm shift to technology is what I will answer after evaluating the pros and cons of technology in education.

Grab yourself a coffee, and let’s get straight into the advantages and disadvantages of technology.

Pros of Technology in Education

Technology has influenced modern education in many great ways, which are as follows.

1. Provides a More Engaging and Interactive Experience

It is in human nature to divert towards more colorful and interactive things. Therefore, it is no surprise why students gravitate towards mobile or computer screens rather than textbooks.

Technology provides a fun way of learning for students. Processors also take the help of technology to deliver a more engaging lecture that keeps the students hooked.

As a result, many institutions are pushing for 1:1 initiative (one device for every student). According to a finding by edweek.org, schools all over the country purchased more than 23 million devices for classroom use. 

2. Up to Date Information Is Just a Swipe Away

Technology has made it accessible for students to access a wealth of information from the comfort of their homes. They no longer need to go to the library and spend hours just to find the book on the particular topic they are interested in.

The accessibility to all sorts of different information from very credible and reputable resources is a lifesaver for students in their quest for assignment help material. It allows them to conveniently draft essays and presentations in no time with factual information on any topic.

3. Easy E-learning on All Sorts of Different Topics

There has been a renowned interest in EdTech websites that primarily focus on teaching in the last few years. These websites like Khan Academy, Coursera, and others have contributed to the replacement of textbooks with electronic means.

The E-learning platforms provide students with high-quality video courses on the topic they are looking for. Whether it is a business query or an algebra equation, students are guaranteed to find solutions to all questions.

Some of these websites are free to use and operate on the model of donations. Given the success of these platforms, it is quite apparent that students gravitate toward these video-based learning platforms for learning.

Today, Khan Academy has 135 million registered users worldwide. It is working with more than 280 school districts in the USA to support teachers and administrators.

According to conducted study, students find video learning platforms better for learning than their classrooms because they give them the ability to learn at their own pace. They can learn a single topic or binge the entire chapter; it is entirely their own choice.

4. Efficiency and Reduced Costs Due to Automation

Today, there are many facets of the curriculum that are automated. From recording attendance to providing lectures and notes, everything is done digitally.

The automation of small tasks brings a great deal of efficiency into education. For instance, of the 50-minute class, 10 minutes would be wasted if the attendance was recorded on paper. However, that same task can be done within minutes with automation.

Paper is a scarce resource. Primarily made from the wood pulp of coniferous trees it contributes to deforestation. With the government and people rallying on the go-green initiative, the automation of small classroom tasks defeats the need to use paper, which is not only a cost-saving measure but also contributes to the betterment of the environment.

Cons of Technology in Education

Everything is not so rosy after all, and there are many drawbacks of technology that have contributed negatively to the education sector.

1. Technology Is Highly Distracting for the Students Inside and Outside of the Classroom

The average attention span of Generation Z children is about 8 seconds. This study proved to be vital in exploring the negative effect of technology on students.

Social media, e-gaming, and other similar distractions have hooked young teenagers to the point where they have become accustomed to using these platforms daily for many hours.

I want you to be honest: how often have you got distracted by a notification on your phone? Pretty much every time, am I not right?

While teaching has nothing to do with these platforms, due to their exacerbated use in today’s teen groups, it is not hard to understand why students can focus on their classroom lectures.

2. Less Interactive With the Teachers

With classes shifting to online mode, students don’t get to interact with their teachers. Therefore, today there is hardly any teacher-student bond that existed back in the day.

There is a lot to learn from the teachers, and students can gain enormous real-life skills from them. However, with technology taking over, this has been reduced to nothing basically.

3. The Excessive Use of Technology Has Caused Diminishing Cognitive Development

It is great that technology can provide students and teachers with all the information they need. However, the over-reliance on technology has reduced the cognitive ability of students. As a result, today’s students lack the essence of problem-solving.

Just stroll around the campus and see how frequently students need to revert to calculators for basic calculations. Therefore, the one great positive of technology also is negative if misused.

Conclusion

There is no doubt that technology has influenced education in both a positive and a negative manner. However, technology is here to stay, and in the coming period, we have to build our school curriculums around it.

So, I believe the overall effect of technology on education is positive, and the negative part can be eliminated.

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