The Postive and Negative Influences of Technology in the Classroom

Over the past few years, education has grown rapidly with the implementation of new technologies, but this growth has been witnessed in both positive and negative ways. When one uses the term ‘technology’, a good number of people automatically think of computers. However, the use of technology in the education sector depends on how new inventions are incorporated into institutions of higher learning. Students are no longer required to use their brains; instead they are taught how to memorize things using alternate sources such as: computers and calculators (Duderstadt et.al 09).

Technology holds a much deeper significance for higher education since it influences propagation and application of knowledge, the key ingredient of higher learning. Duderstadt et.al (08) stated that “Nowadays, our rapid evolution into a knowledge-based society has been driven in by the emergence of powerful new technologies such as computers, communication networks, and other digital technologies.” Students do not do their own classwork anymore, and soon mankind as we know it will be swapping our thoughts, as well as think for us, with a “Matrix” way of life (Duderstadt et.al 08).

General overview

New technologies can either enhance the learning process of an individual or even present a somewhat bigger challenge to the professors in a classroom setting. In essence, the topic on technology and education has been a concern for parents, teachers, school officials, and in some cases, the students. Everyone wants to know if technology is going to help children learn more by making a difference in the in the way teaching is currently being done in the classrooms. Most people have questioned the cost of bringing in new technology, for instance, if it can be ...

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...n et.al 72). New technology also comes at a price, and if institutions of higher learning were to adopt its use, the institution would to invest on purchasing new software and new computers as well. The same can apply to the learners, and by extension their parents or guardians.

Conclusion

Evidently, change is in the horizon, and in a few years, people will be having a different discussion based on the impacts of technology on higher learning. Nonetheless, today, the utilization of the Web technologies has increasingly transformed higher learning. Students can obtain adequate vital information regarding a subject of their interest, research on classwork or even attend classes from a remote location. Technology can impact on higher education in several positive ways that outweigh the negatives, but its integration should be implemented carefully (Katz et.al 102).