Jessica Sweeney: Final Paper

Get Your "Tech Fix"

Technology has wildly improved and electronic devices have abundantly increased to the point where the 21st century American school-aged youth have become dependent on media. Many Americans believe technology helps improve student learning and knowledge while others believe technology is hurting student learning. Some Americans are not in favor of using technology to educate because they believe it is affecting students' social life, their ability to interact in person, and decreases their attention span. Since the world is becoming more consumed by media and is a necessity to become technologically literate, still others believe using technology to teach can only help students become more successful in life. Overall, because of the strong arguments for the advantages and disadvantages, a big controversy exists involving the use of technology to educate the youth.

Technology has greatly impacted American daily life which has led us into a media consumed world. Although media are seen as a convenient and easy way to gather information, they also negatively affect the lives and education of the youth. Since media are incorporated into our daily routines, many experience withdrawal symptoms if they do not get their “tech fix” for that day (C, 1). The reason is because children seem to be born with a “technology gene” which naturally adapts them to the way technology works (C, 1). This gene is found concerning to numerous Americans because studies have proved that the overuse of technology can have negative effects on the youth, particularly children. These new media equipments are affecting our cognitive process, and is also causing us to have a shorter attention span, become more violent, lose contact with people and reality, and various other effects.

Information technology has been used to “fix” classroom education however, we have to take into account that harm can be done to students’ learning ability. In the article “The False Promise of Classroom Technology” Kenny states, “Computer labs are still no substitute for teachers with flexibility and incentive to teach backed up by parents with a commitment that their kids learn” (D, 1). Since computers have the possibility of crashing and websites may give us students’ false information, we cannot fully rely on computers. Technology in classrooms creates a different learning style for the students. “Classroom structures shift from large group to students working independently or to more student-directed activities” (F, 301). In this case, using technology to educate has a negative effect on the students because it takes away from interaction and the idea of working together, compromising, and working out problems as a group. Technology takes away from social interaction which can lead students to unpreparedness for interviews or future jobs that involve communication.

Although it is seen as a problem to some that teachers use technology to educate students, parents play a main role in why children crave technology. Several negative effects come into play when teachers and parents use technology to educate children. Not only does technology create an addiction, but it can also decrease a student’s mental and educational capacity. Parents are a major contribution to youth’s accessibility and use of technology because they are wrapped up in media. Many times, parents subconsciously go on their phones or electronic devices without realizing that their children are watching. Parents know what the electronic device is used for; however children think the device is a toy. Parents do not realize that their use of technology influences and increases a child’s desire to use that device. Technology in households can negatively affect the youth because it “distracts the child from interacting with family members, peers, and society in general” (A, 123). In the end, it is nearly impossible for youth to live without technology because they see it in their everyday lives, both in school and at home.

The article “Young Children and Computers: Some Pros and Cons", acknowledges that “These days, the question isn’t if your child will be computer literate, it’s when.” (B, 1) Since technology is overpowering more and more of the world, several people believe that the earlier you become computer literate, the more prepared you will be for your future. It is very important for Americans, particularly the youth, to become computer savvy because we are leaning towards a technology focused world. “Technology-enhanced learning experiences also can help students develop 21^st century competencies, such as thinking and problem solving, interpersonal and self-directional skills, and digital literacy” (F, 299). With the use of technology in both schools and households, students are able to be involved with hands on experiences. In the studies drawn in the article Kelly Shapley’s article, it is agreed that a child is more successful in school if he or she is monitored when using technology. There are several advantages of children using technology including better hand-eye coordination and quicker access to information. 

The use of technology in schools build up greater opportunities for students because technology is always offering new programs which focus around helping students learn. Along with this, teachers also gain a vast amount of strategies and techniques to teach their class and educate their students. Since technology has created tons of learning programs, the idea and hope is that students can try different types of programs to help figure out which system accommodates their learning the best. In the article written by Kelly Shapley, she describes that the “Increased access to technology has been linked to students’ technology use, technology proficiency, and school engagement” (F, 301). Technology is changing the way students can access information and therefore, students are gaining a greater knowledge in a quicker way. In her article, Shapley claims, many studies proved that students become more engaged in class when teachers use media, thus improving their academic achievement. 

 In the article “Critical Approaches on the Use of New Communication Technologies for Educational Purposes”, the author notes that “Education is a fundamental institution in any type of society” (E, 106). Since there are several challenges with the structure of society and education, we need to learn how to handle these challenges. In order to get a positive outcome, we need to recognize and act upon the realization that new technologies have entered our everyday lives and it is nearly impossible to escape media.  Since the presence of technology is increasing, it has “force[d] parents, educators and child proponents to question its relationship with the cognitive, social, and developmental need[s] of children” (A, 125). For that reason, it is important that parents and teachers communicate about the amount of technology the child should be using in school and the effects technology has on the child. Overall, since this media world is still developing, researchers do not have much data to base off of to say if technology benefits 21^st century school-aged youth or not. From this, researchers are finding it hard to strongly conclude if technology should be used in schools or if it is negatively affecting students learning.

Unfortunately, the majority of Americans are in denial that media and technology are bad for us. Nicholas Carr considers in his book The Shallows, that “It’s good we see things in their complexity, use the Internet as a tool that incommensurably enhances our access to information, but we also have to take notice of the cautions” (E, 106). Carr’s cautions are based upon the culture of the users and who the user is around. For example, parents are a main problem to the easy accessibility children have to media. Parents and children have different views about what media is. When a child sees his or her parents using technology, it increases the child’s desire to use that device. This continuing controversy about education and technology forces all of us to consider the role of digital media technology in our children's lives.

 

Works Cited

GEORGIU, GRIGORE1, vasilemacoviciuc@yahoo.com. "Critical Approaches On The Use Of New Communication Technologies For Educational Purposes." Euromentor 3.4 (2012): 103-113. Education Source. Web. 25 Mar. 2014.

Cited as “E”

"How does technology affect today's youth?" StudyMode.com. 02 2012. 2012. 02 2012 <http://www.studymode.com/essays/How-Does-Technology-Affect-Today%27s-Youth-912077.html>.

Cited as “G”

Kemp, Andrew T., et al. "Technology And Teaching: A Conversation Among Faculty Regarding The Pros And Cons Of Technology." Qualitative Report 19.3 (2014): 1-23. SocINDEX with Full Text. Web. 25 Mar. 2014.

Kenny, Charles. "The False promise of Classroom Technology." n. page. Print. <http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-11-11/the-false-promise-of-classroom-technology>.

Cited as “D” 

Lepičnik, Jurka1, jurka.lepicnik@epf.upr.si, and Pija, pija.samec@gmail.com Samec. "Communication Technology In The Home Environment Of Four-Year-Old Children (Slovenia)." Comunicar 20.40 (2013): 119-126. Education Source. Web. 25 Mar. 2014.

Cited as “A”

Shapley, Kelly, et al. "Effects Of Technology Immersion On Middle School Students' Learning Opportunities And Achievement." Journal Of Educational Research 104.5 (2011): 299-315. ERIC. Web. 25 Mar. 2014.

Cited as “F”

"Too Much Technology May Harm Children." (2012): n. page. Print. <http://www.whattoexpect.com/wom/toddler/0424/too-much-technology-may-harm-children.asp&xgt;.

Cited as “C”

"Young Children and Computers: Some Pros and Cons ." (2012): n. page. Web. 25 Mar. 2014. <http://www.whattoexpect.com/toddler/toddler-learning/young-children-and-computers.asp&xgt;.

Cited as “B”

Videos Cited

Children Using Technology to Learn. Film. 26 Mar 2014. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jENEVn1DR4w>.

Getting Schooled by a Third Grader: Video Montage of Kids Using Technology. Film. 26 Mar 2014. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNvDlqFLgxk>.

 Original Photos