A Case Study Conveying the Cons of Using of Technology in Education

INTRODUCTION

Technological advancement and the use of it on modern day education has indeed proven to
have an important role, creating a more efficient way of learning and teaching, but there are negative
effects or cons from using it, the researchers have decided to investigate this topic to pinpoint its major
flaws and weaknesses and analyze them to provide appropriate and suitable solutions.

BACKGROUND

With the help of technology, today’s modern day learning and teaching have never been easier,
but we can never be sure that it doesn’t have any flaws.

According to Liao (2000), the development of inexpensive multimedia computers and the
eruption of the Internet in the mid-1990s had quickly changed the nature of educational computing.
Communications and multimedia, little used in 1993, have dominated the role of technologies in the
classroom over the past ten years, but their roles in education have been naturally conceived as
teachers and sources of knowledge, rather than tools for learning. Many students both in classrooms
and homes benefit from the Internet. Students use the internet for both studying and entertainment.

A study of Sri Sai Bharath College of Education in Tamil Nadu, India on the Impact of Modern
Technology in Education found the following negative effects of technology on education.

1. Declining Writing Skills: Due to the excessive usage of online chatting and shortcuts, the
writing skills of today’s young generation have declined quite tremendously. These days,
children are relying more and more on digital communication that they have totally forgot
about improving their writing skills. They don’t know the spelling of different words, how to
use grammar properly or how to do cursive writing.
2. Increasing Incidents of Cheating: Technological developments like graphical calculators, high
tech watches, mini cameras and similar equipment have become great sources to cheat in
exams. It is easier for students to write formulas and notes on graphing calculators, with
least chances of being caught.
3. Lack of Focus: SMS or text messaging has become a favorite pastime of many students.
Students are seen playing with their cell phone, iPhones day and night or driving and very
often even between lectures. Being ever-connected to the online world has resulted in lack
of focus and concentration in academics and to some extent, even in sports and
extracurricular activities.

N. Susan Emeagwali (2004), states that there is little evidence that high-tech classrooms have
done anything to improve student achievement and may be hurting and undermining children's real
technological literacy. The Alliance for Childhood, a nonprofit advocacy group, issued the report
bemoaning the approximately $55 billion being spent on U.S. schools on computer equipment, training,
services and other technologies to advance technological literacy.
 According to Tech Tonic: Towards a New Literacy of Technology, "The lack of evidence or an
expert consensus that computers will improve student achievement. Despite years of efforts by high-
tech companies and government agencies to demonstrate otherwise—is itself compelling evidence,"

EVALUATION OF THE CASE

After analyzing and studying the rise of technology and the use of it on modern day education,
the researchers have found some negative effects of its use on education. It can be a distraction in the
classroom. Students may find it hard to concentrate in class when a wide range of digital devices are
around them. Modern students are all about text messaging and word shortcuts, which often reduces
the quality of their academic writing in general. A lot of students are now struggling to write concise,
and well-planned content. It can disconnect students from social interactions. Technology can foster
cheating in class and on assignments. Some also argues that the use of technology on education is
overrated, also technology has a positive impact on education and at the same time may also pose
negative effects.

PROPOSE SOLUTIONS

 Parents and teachers should limit the use of mobile phones of children both in school and at
home.
 Teachers should make students write more on their notebooks aside from giving them
powerpoint presentations for reviewers.
 Teachers should identify specific projects, times during class, and intentions for allowing the use
of technology in the classroom.
 Creating expectations and guidelines for students, and sticking to them, will be important for
them in respecting your boundaries.
 By creating assignments in class that use both technological tools as well as oral presentations
and group collaboration, students will learn to be dynamic in how they learn and interact with
others.
 For these students who don’t have equal access to technological resources, point them in the
direction of library or community resources, or create assignments that allow them to work in
groups and share resources.

RECOMMENDATION

The Internet is a blessing and a curse. Your students may need guidance on identifying proper
sources and unreliable sources. Technology can disconnect students from social interactions but the key
to technology in the classroom is always going to be the teacher-student relationship, because that’s
where the education happens. Technology can be a highly effective tool, in today’s hyper-connected
world, practical use of technology can enhance education. Students’ cellphones and digital devices
aren’t bad for education. Learn how to exploit them to improve engagement and keep your class
focused.
 The uses of technology are widespread. Technology is not meant to replace the teacher. Rather,
the idea is to create a flexible learning environment that breeds innovation. It shifts the classroom
experience from the ‘sage-on-a-stage’ approach to a more collaborative learning environment. The
success of such endeavors will ultimately depend upon how technology is applied to keep students
engaged to learning. It can be frustrating and time-consuming, but in the end, technology in education
can open doors to new experiences, new discoveries, and new ways of learning and collaborating.

FINALIZING THE CASE

QUESTIONS:

1. What are the negative effects of using technology as a tool for teaching?
2. How those effects are affecting the quality of education the schools can give to the
students?
3. What are the ways to utilize the bad effects to create an environment conducive to
learning?