Essay Portion

                Modern technology can be a thing of wonders. Suddenly, within a relatively small amount of years we’ve been able to make it possible to talk to someone across the world instantly, make complex calculations on devices thousands of times smaller than the first functional computer, and entertain ourselves whenever and wherever we like. This advent of technology takes on a different scope and meaning when it is applied to the classroom. Overall, technology is important in the classroom because it is valuable for students growing up in this modern era, provides a powerful incentive for students, and makes the overall learning process easier and more entertaining.

                As previously stated, we are currently living in an age where technology is developing all around us, and rapidly. Nearly every aspect and facet of our lives are affected by technology in some way, whether it’s how we brush our teeth in the morning, or how we perform even the simplest of jobs. Whether one goes into farming or rocket science they are sure to be confronted by technology in some form, even if it’s just a computer to sell their products or evaluate how effectively they farm. There is practically no getting around the prevalence of technology in the world we live in. It has consumed our society on even the most basic level: how we communicate with each other.

                That said, any student that leaves the educational process without at least a basic understanding of technology will have a serious disadvantage in the job market. Even the most mundane jobs, such as working in the fast food industry, require the use of a computer. A desired skill on today’s job applications is the ability to use a computer and troubleshoot when something goes wrong. Just to survive in a college classroom a student needs the ability to use a computer and word processing program, as trends indicate that paper and pencil are becoming obsolete. It is the responsibility of educators nowadays to prepare students for this new and intimidating career field. Without the edge of technological familiarity a student has practically no chance of competing in the modern job market.

                Some might say that there are jobs out there that don’t require any type of technology, or training in computers, or that one can get along in the workplace without previous knowledge or receive on the job training. While there are some jobs out there that do not require any type of use of modern technology, those are few and far between. Those jobs are such a small minority that it would be foolish not to train students in technology just on that basis. Even if it were the case that ten percent of all available jobs or careers didn’t require the use of technology, or even twenty percent, the teacher should teach to the majority. Also, what I the harm if you have the skills and don’t use them? While on the job training is an option, employers are more likely to hire a worker who does not cost the company extra money in training time, or who can pick up the work quickly and with ease.

                When asked to describe what they think of when they hear the word technology, many people might respond that they envision a futuristic object or location, adorned with a plethora of flashing lights and strange beeping sounds. Those bells and whistles might not look the same as the technology that we have today, but modern technology has the same effect on people: it’s attractive. People want to work with things that immediately draw their attention. Entire careers and lives have been built on the idea of bringing people the most attractive product. Advertising isn’t just advertisements and getting the word out, it’s also designing a product that people naturally want to use. This is one of the reasons that the Apple Corporation has had such vast success. While many people condemn Steve Jobs for his personality traits, there is no denying that he made Apple succeed by pushing out the most appealing products on the market.

                Students and young people are no exception to this idea. Most students have a strong desire to use technology, especially in the classroom. Using a tool such as an iPad or laptop in a classroom adds an element of fun and interest to a place that is stereotypically less interesting than the rest of the world. Students are also given the opportunity to use technologies that they might never have the chance to use outside of the classroom. This attraction to technology can be used by the teacher to more effectively manage their classroom. As an incentive, few things could be a better reason to finish all of your math homework that the promise of a cutting edge technology like an iPad.  While technology can be great for teaching content itself, it can instantly be converted to be used as a reward.

                Opponents to this idea might state that it is unethical to use technology that is supposed to be being used for education as a reward or treat. On the subject of ethics and rewards, this is not a new technique for teachers. Teachers have been using the option of free time as a reward since children have enjoyed playing outside. Instructors commonly use time outside as a reward for a job well done, or free time as a reward for completing assignments. This isn’t exploitation, as professionals use the same techniques, for example, if you do your job well and efficiently in a business situation, you are given a promotion or rise in salary. This is, in fact, teaching children a valuable skill that they will use later in life. Also, free time with technology can be used to play educational games or use software that helps build computer and technology skills.

                If you were to ask another person what they imagine when they think of teaching tools, their mind would probably immediately go to a chalkboard and a ruler. These have been symbols of the teaching profession since the blackboard was invented. In reality though, you might be hard pressed to find a classroom that actually has a blackboard in it nowadays. The classrooms of today have the advantage of the cleaner, more versatile whiteboard, and the possibly more advantageous projector. Even now those miraculous tools are working their way out of the classroom in favor of a combination of the two, the intuitive SMARTboard. Technology has already transformed the classroom into a place no one would have imagined one hundred years ago, and it continues to change and innovate. Who knows what the classroom of tomorrow will actually look like?

                The classroom isn’t being transformed like this because we simply like the technology better; we’re making the change because these tools are more effective. One obvious advantage of technology as a teaching tool is that it is, as stated previously, vastly entertaining. People that learn in an entertaining way are more likely to retain what they learn and want to learn more. Very few people enjoy sitting in a room with an instructor who speaks in a monotone for two hours straight, and children are no exception. As humans we learn much better if we have interest in what we are learning, and technology is a great way of grabbing our attention and making learning fun. Certain technologies can even adjust themselves to fit an individual’s learning style and habits, and give feedback to teachers on how effective their programs are. This can prove invaluable to both teacher and student.

                Technology and software can also be obtained with relative ease. Instead of ordering and spending a lot of money on a new set of books or learning tools for a classroom, a teacher or administrator can simply purchase a free or ninety-nine cent app and have it delivered and distributed instantly. This type of versatility and efficiency is a huge advantage when working with a group of individuals that may not have the longest attention span. While a teacher may have to wait an entire semester to acquire a new material which could possibly be irrelevant by the time they receive it, the ease of technology makes educational games, programs, and even entire books ready and available at the push of a button. This revolutionizes how teaching and lesson plans can be done, as schedules and plans can be tailored and revamped at a moment’s notice to better suit a student’s needs.

                In response to these ideas an opponent might say that technology is simply distracting in the classroom, and that children don’t actually like to learn with technology, they just like to play games. While it may be true that children just like to use technology because it’s “cool” or fun, that doesn’t mean that they aren’t learning at the same time. It is the same principal that mnemonic devices work on: if you can associate a skill or piece of information with something else that you know and can remember easier, you will perform better when it comes to bring up that information. The same thing applies in a more physical sense: if students associate some piece of information with a game they will remember it better, and know how to better apply it.

                Some might also say that technology is too expensive, and that while the application or software may be relatively cheap, the product itself costs too much. For this argument we can look at a book. The book is a great tool for learning. You can open it up and read everything inside of it. Unfortunately, that’s all we can know. If we look at a laptop or an iPad we can turn it on and do a variety of things, from writing, to research, to educational games and beyond. We can use the product to access a nearly infinite source of information, download resources instantly, and even read that same book we started with. So the computer may cost more, but in the long run its versatility makes it a far better value. Give a kid a book and he can learn for the duration of that book, but teach a child to use a computer and he can learn for his lifetime.

                Technology is one of the most important features in today’s classroom, and it will only continue to grow more prevalent as time goes on. There is not nearly enough evidence on the contrary to justify not using technology in the classroom. Computers and technology are becoming so prevalent in the workforce and the world in general that it would be simply foolish not to use technology as both a teaching tool and an entertainment source. Technology is necessary in schools because it is required to survive in the world of today and in the future, it can be used as a powerful incentive for learning, and it is an effective and constantly adapting teaching tool. Technology is taking over the classroom, and it’s not going away.