Running head: [Title Here, up to 12 Words, on One to Two Lines] 1

Technology and Learning Styles in the Classroom

Kyle Bryan L. Panlaqui
Financial Management Student, Term Paper at PUP
[Title Here, up to 12 Words, on One to Two Lines] 2

Table of Contents
Introduction................................................................................................................. 3

The VARK Learning Styles ......................................................................................... 3

Technology Used In the Classroom ............................................................................ 3

Advantages of Technology .......................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.

Disadvantages of Technology...................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.

The Link between Technology and Learning Styles in the Classroom ................. Error!
Bookmark not defined.

Summary ..................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.

References ................................................................................................................. 6
[Title Here, up to 12 Words, on One to Two Lines] 3

Introduction
Technology is generally depicted as the said utilization and the embodiment of science
shown in its many different forms, especially for business or modern purposes. The main
purpose of this paper is to talk about different learning styles and the controversy and
advantages of unraveling a dominant personal style.
In today's modern classroom, technology is progressively becoming more and more
common, yet many are puzzled as to whether this is helpful to students and their different
learning styles, or whether it is to a greater extent a distraction or hindrance to them. This term
paper will mainly look at the advantages and disadvantages of the use of technology so as to
achieve a wide variety of learners or students, and the many different flexible strategies
teachers must utilize in order to guarantee its effectiveness.

The VARK Learning Styles

For a long period of time, there has been a question as to whether students adapt best
when methods of teaching and school activities coordinate with their learning style, learning
qualities, and personal preferences. This concept grew drastically amid the 1980s, in spite of
the evidence recommending that personal learning preferences have practically zero genuine
impact on learning results. While the current research has discovered that coordinating methods
of teaching to learning styles has no impact on instructive results, the idea of learning styles
remains highly popular. The VARK model which was created by Neil Fleming which categorizes
learning styles that there are four principle sorts of learners.
The first letter of the pneumonic is “V” which represents the visual learners. These
students learn best by seeing, rather than viewing text. This type of learners benefit from
graphic displays mainly charts, diagrams, illustrations, handouts, and videos. People who prefer
this type of learning would rather see information presented in a visual rather than in written
form.
The succeeding letter of the pneumonic is “A” which represents the aural learners, also
known as the auditory learners. Aural learners prefer the lecture style of classrooms; because
they’re specifically good at remembering the things they are told.
The letter “R” symbolizes the third of the learning styles, or the reading and writing
learners. They will succeed best with text, or when concepts are expressed as words in which
these students will be able to take in information from textbooks, notes, or lists.
Lastly, Kinesthetic or tactile learners benefit from hands-on approaches. These students
learn best by touching and doing. Now that the VARK model has been addressed and
explained, the next section of this paper will mainly discuss the technology being used in the
classroom.
[Title Here, up to 12 Words, on One to Two Lines] 4

Technology Used In the Classroom

According to author Euline Schmid, “multimedia environments include online
instructional presentations, interactive lessons, e-courses, simulation games, virtual reality, and
computer-supported in-class presentations,” (1553). Multimedia technology mainly refers to the
use of “multi” or many technologies in the classroom. There is the uncertainty of mind that the
integration of many technologies is either seen as an advantage or disadvantage and there are
even supportive facts for both perspectives.

Advantages of Technology
The article points out that with this convenience, paces of classes are much smoother
because the material can be prepared ahead of time, and pulled up in an instant (Schmid 1554).
The convenience that technology provides is mainly one of the largest benefits of technology
used in the classroom. Mainly through a PowerPoint, audio file, video file, or an interactive
website even, the teachers being able to manipulate their time and work properly and effectively
transitioning from one representation to another with just a click of a mouse the information they
want their students to get has been done in a quick way.
In a study of students who were taught using multiple technologies including websites
and interactive whiteboards 63.2% of students strongly agreed that the integration of the
whiteboard helped them comprehend the lesson better and 36.8% agreed (1560).
When the student was asked why they felt the technology helped their learning, their
response was that technology simply made it more interesting. The student refers to traditional
tactics, such as paper handouts or teacher’s experience as boring. The student explains that
since the presentation of the material is viewed as more complex and interesting, it motivates
students to pay closer attention and be more engaged (1558).

Disadvantages of Technology
Even though technology makes it more convenient than any other to present information
in multiple ways, this may lead to students to become lazy and slack off.
College students learn less when they use computers or tablets during
lectures, writes Susan Dynarski, a professor of education, public policy and economics at the
University of Michigan, in the New York Times. “They also tend to earn worse grades. The
research is unequivocal: Laptops distract from learning, both for users and for those around
them.”
There are also other disadvantages that technology in the classroom can make which
are fostering of cheating, students don’t have equal access to technological resources, and
technology can disconnect students from social interactions.
Another area that we should be concern of is referred to as cognitive overload. As a
result of multiple representations, students may not understand some depictions, or be
overwhelmed by the various methods. It is important to recognize that teachers must evaluate
the quantity of representations presented, and that students must actively participate in lessons
to maximize effectiveness and decrease cognitive overload (1556).
[Title Here, up to 12 Words, on One to Two Lines] 5

The Link between Technology and Learning Styles in the Classroom

The use of technology is entirely new to some classrooms, many teachers may still be
fixated on the traditional teaching strategies or ways that they were taught. These strategies
include the following which is, long lectures relying on textbooks, followed by a written exam to
assess students on what they have learned.
In Rochester, Minnesota teacher of the month Christine Hong is 26 (para 2, para 3).
Hong strives to cater to each student’s learning style, to make all her students comfortable in
her classroom (para 4). In 2013, her high school, Pine Island High School, adopted a program
that gave each student a Lenovo Notebook, which enabled them to use online demonstrations,
games, and activities. Students handed in and stored their assignments online (para 7).
In regards to the use of technology in the classroom, Hong saw the new possibilities and
opportunities, but also saw the potential for danger. "There are a lot of areas to enhance
learning,” she said. "Part of it can be a little distracting and so it's finding the balance between
the enhancement of learning and it not being a tool of distraction. It's a matter of finding that
sweet spot. Where does it really help the kids,” (Stolle)?
With all the capabilities of technology it is evident that it will continue to make its way into
classrooms all over the world (Kothaneth, Robinson, Amelink 60). The only vital thing would be
is that teachers should be able to utilize technology in an appropriate way. Bearing the
responsibility may be difficult but it is achievable in the classroom and of course teachers may
still lecture, or have students write or read material in order to cater to the reading and writing
learners.

Summary

Plainly the advantages exceed the cons. But, the key to the use of technology in the
classroom is mainly going to be in the teacher-student relationship, since that is the place where
the learning occurs. Technology can be an exceedingly powerful apparatus, however, that is all
it is which is an “instrument”. In the present world, reasonable utilization of technology can
greatly enhance the classroom or education itself.
Technology isn't intended to replace the educator. Rather, the thought is to make an
adaptable learning condition that breeds development. It moves the classroom experience from
the 'sage-on-an organizes' way to deal with a progressively cooperative learning environment.
The success of such undertakings will, at last, rely on how technology is utilized to keep
students engaged in learning. It may be tedious and difficult but at least, technology in
education, especially in classrooms, can open ways to new encounters, new discoveries, and
better approaches for learning styles. Each individual creates their own preferences throughout
their everyday life, learning styles on they like to learn. Inside the classroom, technology can be
valuable in displaying content in different approaches to appeal to various students. With the
capabilities of technology this differentiation is less demanding, but on the other hand, should be
cautiously used mainly to avoid any confusion, laziness, overpowering emotions. As technology
turns out to be increasingly predominant on the planet, it is normal, to say the least, that it will
be the new educational system as time goes by.
[Title Here, up to 12 Words, on One to Two Lines] 6

References

Allison, W. (2015, December 7).Technology and Learning Styles. Retrieved from

https://www1.udel.edu

Kendra, C. (2018, April 6). VARK Learning Styles. Retrieved from

https://www.verywellmind.com

Schmid, Euline Cutrim. "Potential Pedagogical Benefits and Drawbacks of

Multimedia Use in the English Language Classroom Equipped with
Interactive Whiteboard Technology." Computers & Education. 4th ed. Vol. 51.
N.p.: Elsevier B.V., 2008. 1553-568. Web. 16 Nov. 2015.

Danny, M. (2017, July 28). 10 Reasons Today’s Students NEED Technology in the Classroom.
Retrieved from https://www.securedgenetworks.com

Vawm, H. (2019, January 2). 6 Pros & Cons of Technology in the Classroom in 2019.
Retrieved from https://www.tophat.com

Stolle, Matthew. "Teacher of the Month: Hong adapts to students' learning styles." Post-
Bulletin (Rochester, Minnesota). (May 31, 2014 Saturday ): 546 words. LexisNexis
Academic. Web. Date Accessed: 2015/11/09.