Enabling and Inhibiting Dimensions of Technology

Most Essential Learning Competencies

At the end of the module, you are expected to:

INTRODUCTION

Twenty-first century learning has been defined by application and advancement in information
technology or IT. Information technology has become an essential part of education. According to
Information Technology Association of America, information technology is defined as “the study, design,
development, application, implementation, support or management of computer-based information
systems” which serves as a big help both for the teachers and learners.

Emerging technologies show many challenges to the traditional system. Nanotechnology, biotechnology
and robotics are not limited to an individual organization like many older technologies such as motor
vehicles, pharmaceuticals and others but rather, to a multiple of industries and application companies.
These controlled sectors and applications create a complication of regulatory efforts in determining the
risks and control costs of these technology – life cycles.

Emerging technologies further show an unprecedented vagueness parallel to the risks they bring,
advantages, and upcoming growth while traditional technologies possess toxicity which may not be in
the case of nanomaterials. Some genetically altered food products can be risky to the welfare of public
health and the environment. Information technology has served as a major catalyst of change and
innovation in different aspect of business and society. It has proven game changer in resolving
economic and social issues.

As the proliferation of technology in the classroom continues to accelerate, schools that haven’t yet
implemented some of the latest and greatest devices such as computers in the classroom are starting
to really feel the pressure to cope with the fast changing world. Mobile devices can make perfect
learning tools and open up unlimited possibilities for educators and students alike, but it’s not all daisies
and roses. Sometimes the initial infatuation with the shiny new technology turns into a love-hate
relationship as problems and issues arise.
 POTENTIAL ISSUES TO LOOK OUT FOR WHEN BRINGING TECHNOLOGY IN EDUCATION

Students Using Social Media

Security Breach
Students are oftentimes more curious than they are malicious. They want to push the boundaries just
to see if they can. If you're network allows them access to the admin servers, you can bet they're going
to get on it.

Cheating
At one time a student had to pull a paper written “cheat sheet” out of their pocket to have the ability to
cheat. It certainly seems easier that they can now cleverly pull up a “cheat sheet” on their device. The
good news is, with the ever-evolving change in technology, software companies are developing ways to
alleviate the cheating problem by for example, allowing teachers and administrator’s access to students’
screens while in the classroom.

Gaming
There are a ton of free gaming apps out there and people love them, especially the learners. These
addicting games can be quite the distraction and take away from productivity in learning.

Information technologies have contributed to the increase in the concentration of access to information,
decision – making and control. They have accelerated the crisis in employment through labor
substitution and have intensified the competitive processes in both economic and social spheres. Their
development has sustained the belief that the urban crisis can be resolved through new information and
communication infrastructures.

Technology has taken over the lives of many people who spend way too much time on social media just
trying to see how many likes and comments they have on their Facebook or Instagram posts. People
think of social media when someone is looking at their phone, or when someone mentions technology.
They forget all the amazing things other than social media that technology has brought to us.
Technology has allowed parents not to be in the dark when it comes to being aware as to where their
children are. It has allowed people away from their own countries to contact their loved ones and even
see them through video calls. But technology has enslaved us and has controlled our lives in some
other ways as well.

Technology has been lauded as a way to free up time for us, yet the reality of all of these – consuming
medium often does the reverse. New innovations bring with them a host of unintended consequences,
ranging from the troubling to the downright depressing. Social media makes us lonely. Too much screen
– time makes teenagers fall behind their peers. And at the more feeble end of the spectrum, many of
us have walked into an obstacle while texting. Tech innovators frequently profess aspirations to
improve the lot of mankind. Such aspirations are admirable, but we shouldn’t forget that there’s one
rather more concrete intention they share: to make money. They’re vendors, we’re consumers: it’s
simple as that.

Technology has important effects on business operations. Regardless of the size of your enterprise,
technology has both tangible and intangible benefits that will help you make money and produce the
results that your customers demand. Technological infrastructures affect the culture, efficiency and
relationships within a business. Technology has the ability to enhance relationships among teachers,
students and even the community. When teachers effectively integrate technology into varied subject
areas, teachers grow into roles of adviser, content expert, and coach.
Technology helps make teaching and learning more meaningful and fun. Technology is in many ways like
its own form of entertainment. However, for people with disabilities, technology can be so much more
than just