By Isabella Montenegro
Opinion Editor
Technology use has risen exponentially due to the sudden alteration of distance learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, a change that should remain in the future. Technology has drastically changed how students learn by providing student a substantial source of additional teaching and giving more opportunities to educate oneself on a broader scope of elements.
Prior to the pandemic, teachers and students were forced to use technology exclusively for access that teachers use for students’ education. The increase in the usage of technology implemented in class by teachers has skyrocketed, and it should stay for the future.
Technology is useful for students as schools reopen to continue in-person learning. According to the World Economic Forum, research proves that students retain 25 to 60% of the material when learning online, whereas when learning in person students retain 8 to 10% in a classroom.
Technology is more interactive, thus coming off as more interesting for students. Another cause is that students can go back and forth with material turned in electronically that can help students to re-look and see any mistakes they have possibly made before turning in an assignment.
Communication from teacher to student is vital to learning as one may learn from asking
questions and clarify confusion. According to a personal account from the World Economic Forum, technology gives educators the privilege of communicating with their students on a quick and efficient basis. With the usage of technology, students no longer have to be left in confusion and can have questions answered immediately rather than having to wait until the next time students can physically see their teacher in person. Therefore, technology can be used as communication systems for students and teachers that can decrease delays and miscommunication.
The use of technology is beneficial to each individual student as well as the environment. The amount of school supplies used for learning means natural resources, such as paper and plastic, are being used up in abundance. While technology does require material to manufacture devices, the material has a longer lifespan than materials such as notebooks, writing utensils, and folders, which can be easily damaged and must be frequently replaced. As a society highly focused on education, if teachers can implement technology in place of the other materials, it can help prevent the earth from suffering from further waste.
While there are concerns that technology is solely a distraction and not much of an aid to educating students, the reward is greater compared to the risk. To decrease the amount of
distraction derived from tech use, websites can be used that monitor students’ participation and awareness in class activities. For example, on Pear Deck, teachers can see who is actively watching a presentation and who is participating at that moment in the activity. These types of programs can decrease the amount of distractions other students are faced with.
Technology brings advantages to students and should not be disregarded as everybody
reconvenes to in-person learning. According to Brain Balance, students of younger ages have a significantly lower attention span and tend to be distracted at a variously higher rate than students of older age, thus technology use should be promoted to older students such as the students at Costa.
Therefore, technology should be accepted and used to effectively teach its students.
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