The Use of Technologies in Education

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Technology, by its broadest meaning, has a very important role in today’s classrooms. The application of that technology, however, must be carefully and strategically implemented in order to be of meaningful value to both teachers and pupils. Throughout history, there have been various inventions of technologies, which have brought about revolutionary changes.

Technology continually changes our world in outstanding ways, observable from the Sumerians’ invention of the first ever-documented writing system of cuneiform, the Egyptians’ invention of the papyrus, the comparatively more recent inventions of the printing press, television, computers, and the internet. Even the casual definition of the word technology has undergone various transformations over time.

According to Noah Webster who is considered to have been among the founding fathers of education in America, technology stood for the “description of arts, or a treatise on the arts.” (Webster, 1828). Today, technology is defined as the practical application of knowledge, especially in a particular area (Cuban, 1998).

In the educational setting, technology is referenced as “whatever the most advanced technologies are available for teaching and learning in a particular area.” (Pea, 1998). With this kind of understanding, one can then confidently assume that technology in the classroom today obviously includes the use of computers, digital media, and the Internet.

Although the use of technology in schools has brought some significant improvements, we must ask some multifaceted questions regarding its use (Cuban, 1998). This paper seeks to discuss some of the ways in which television and other mass media has affected students, schools, and education in general. The paper will also seek to look at some of the pros and cons of using technologies in education.

There is no doubt that the mass media plays a significant role in shaping the ideas of school age children. One area where the mass media has really influenced the education sector has been in the dissemination of information concerning gender violence. Although this is not directly linked with the school curriculum, there is no denying that it is an important subject even among students.

Indeed, the relationship between gender and violence is complex. The different roles and behaviors of females and males, children as well as adults, are shaped and reinforced by gender norms within society and as expected, this are inherited at the early stages of life. This is the reason why those fighting against gender based violence work with schoolchildren before gender attitudes and behaviors are deeply rooted (Spring, 1982).

In schools, media interventions such as the use of television, radio, Internet, newspapers, magazines and other published publications have been found to effect change within schoolchildren (Spring, 1982). These media tools have been found to increase knowledge, challenge attitudes and modify behavior.

Media interventions have also been found to alter social norms and values among schoolchildren (e.g. the belief that masculinity is associated with aggression) through public discussions and social interaction. Media campaigns have proved to be successful in increasing knowledge of intimate partner violence and influencing attitudes towards gender violence.

In many parts of the world, the use of television and radio has been used in schools to promote social change for improving sexual and reproductive health. Indeed educators have proved that such programs leads to a positive change in attitudes towards gender equity, among those exposed to it (Cuban, 1998).

Additionally, the use of computers in school has greatly influenced the teaching of communication skills in schools. Indeed, there is no denying that communication has become increasingly computerized and electronic. This has called for the need to revise the use of the traditional models of learning in this area.

Some English educators suggest that using multimedia technology for teaching literary texts can give students a critical way of approaching sign systems and visual symbols. For example, hypermedia can be used to critically respond to literature using print, visuals, video, sound, and links to websites.

Computers have also helped English scholars to expand ‘deep reading’ of media to include ‘deep viewing’ of visual media. This has provided English students with critical skills on how to deconstruct mass media messages and practical skills to construct their own persuasive, multi-media communications (Spring, 1982).

Although technology is available in all areas of education, the question that we should ask ourselves is whether all the aspects of education require the use of education for them to be effective (Cuban, 1998).

There is no denying that some ages, disciplines and learning styles are better suited to different, non-technological learning methods. It is clear, therefore, to have clear goals regarding the use of technology in the classroom, just as we must have clear goals and solutions for how to achieve particular outcomes in all disciplines, with both the presence and absence of technology (Cuban, 1998).

Another con of using technology in schools is the high cost involved. All of us will agree that most of the hardware and software used in our schools today needs major capital investments but it becomes obsolete within a very short time.

Additionally, the proliferation of the home computers, which are intrinsically less expensive to update creates the possibility of the classroom computers becoming largely mediocre to the student’s home computer, thus lowering the value of instruction on the classroom computer. There is also no doubt that some goals are better achieved through non-technological methods.

The stages of learning and of cognitive development largely remain unchanged even in an increasingly technologically advanced society. The use of computers should largely be used for play especially in young children whose cognitive development requires a multi sensory approach that is unrealistic to create through technology (Pea, 1998).

Apart from modeling unhealthy sexual behaviors, the mass media has been found to negatively influence other aspects of teens’ physical and psychological well-being. Research suggests that media portrayals of unrealistic body images negatively impact teens’ self-esteem (Pea, 1998).

Teens, especially young females, become discontent with their bodies and may develop unhealthy eating behaviors in an attempt to achieve media-ideal body types. Although family and social relationships also have an influence, teens learn about society and sexual relationships from visual media images portraying body types, clothing, and other cultural norms.

Although the use of such visuals may not be present in the mass media incorporated in schools, students will still believe the information they get from the media at home since its use has already been endorsed in the school setting (Pea, 1998).

Having said that, there is no denying that technologies can help us to pose and give answers to basic questions that can lead to fundamental breakthroughs in learning and education. Technology places at our fingertips the most immense access to knowledge and information that any society has ever known. Indeed, psychologists have affirmed that the use of some media tools such as blogs can promote critical and analytical thinking.

Additionally, such media tools can be a powerful promoter of creative, intuitive, and associational thinking as well as promote analogical thinking. Using media tools such as the internet can also act as a medium for increasing access and exposure to quality information (Cuban, 1998).

Ultimately, the effective implementation of the media in the classroom creates a bridge between school and world by allowing students to intellectually interact with peers, teachers and professionals on a global level. The media by its very nature of supporting diverse learning styles helps in fostering the deeper understanding and greater readiness for lifelong learning.

Apart from the students, the use of technology also gives a new approach to teacher professional development. Despite the disadvantages associated with the use of technology in schools, we cannot ignore its use in classrooms. Instead, we should find effective ways to implement educational technology in this Information Age (Cuban, 1998).

Conclusion

In the recent past, the use of different media tools has found its way in to our classrooms. This has been by way of television, radios, computers and even the internet. The benefits of using technology in our schools are innumerable. By a large part, these media tools have been used to carry on campaigns that have helped to change the thinking pattern and even some behavior in our society.

Despite these benefits, there is no denying that the use of technology in learning institutions poses some problems. This is true especially for young children whose cognitive development is largely dependent on a multi sensory approach that is unrealistic to create through technology.

Despite these disadvantages, we cannot ignore the use of technology and instead, we should work hard to devise effective ways that can be used to implement educational technology in this Information Age.

References

Cuban, L. (1998). The Pros and Cons of Technology in the Classroom. Web.

Pea, R. (1998). The Pros and Cons of Technology in the Classroom. Web.

Spring, J. (1982). Images of American Life: A History of Ideological Management in Schools, Movies, Radio, and Television. New York: Albany.

Webster, Noah. (1828). First Edition of an American Dictionary of the English Language. Massachusetts: Merriam Company.

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The Use of Technologies in Education

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