Education is an ever changing world. From chalkboards, to white boards, to SmartBoards, to Apple TVs and iPads, technology is completely changing the way that students are learning in our society. As a teacher, it is important to promote diversity within the classroom. With that in mind, it is extremely important that teachers utilize an array of technology with their students, in order to obtain the highest learning possible.
According to Ashley Wainwright, technology in the classroom has proven itself time and again. In her article entitled, 8 Studies Show iPads in the Classroom Improve Education, she points out that students of all ages are benefiting from iPads in the classroom. One study in Texas showed that students who utilize iPads were 49% more likely to score a proficiency rating versus the traditional classroom. Another such example from Wainwright’s article shows students in California who have used technology within the classroom have raised their mathematics standardized test scores by 20% compared to classes only utilizing traditional textbooks. More importantly, according to Wainwright’s source, Open Colleges, 81% of teachers and 86% of students across the country feel that iPad tablets can help students study more efficiently than normal means.
On a broad scale, Public Schools in the U.S. are now spending more than $8 billion annually on digital content, including hardware and software. Additionally, according to Benjamin Herold’s source of EdTech Strategies, for the first time ever in the 2015-2016 school year, computer based standardized assessments will outnumber the traditional pencil and paper tests. Not only does this trend speak volumes about where our education system is headed, but it also leads to a new type of teaching pattern called “blended learning”, which combines an appropriate amount of teacher based learning with technology based instruction. Proponents of the standardized testing trend explain that technology based assessments save cost, are easy to administer, and easy to obtain valuable feedback on student growth (Herold, 2015).
Overall, I think that iPads and other such technology are a necessity in our current world. Students need to be able to use their phones and tablets for things other than social media and emailing. Teachers that can provide structured lessons on various educational based applications and software programs can open doors and better prepare students for the future. Hopefully, as we evolve even more, we can create an appropriate equilibrium between technology and face-to-face interactions so that we can provide a well-rounded education for all students in our diverse culture.
Please follow the link below to a short video provided by edutopic.org on the importance of education, as well as a look into the 21st century classroom and student: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d59eG1_Tt-Q
Works Cited
1. Herold, B (2015). Technology in Education: An Overview. Retrieved from http://www.edweek.org/ew/issues/technology-in-education/
2. Wainwright, A. 8 Studies Show iPads in the Classroom Improve Education. Retrieved from http://www.securedgenetworks.com/blog/8-Studies-Show-iPads-in-the-Classroom-Improve-Education