The Case for Tech in Classrooms

With the advent of smartphones, social media, laptops, tablets, and now AI, conversations around technology in the classroom are more and more prevalent. On one hand, it's the age old debate of people who are resistant to change, and people who are driving it. On the other hand, we are well aware of how technology has driven apart communities and there is good reason to be concerned. I hope  that the following points can help someone as they navigate this tension.

First let's discuss some concerns. I will note however that we don't discuss cheating as a con. That is worthy of it's own entirely separate discussion. 

Let's take a look at a few research-based points provided by a research at Iowa State University. The full article can be read here: https://neurosciencenews.com/mental-health-social-media-23463/#:~:text=Participants%20who%20limited%20their%20social,yielded%20positive%20mental%20health%20benefits.

1. Participants who limited their social media usage to 30 minutes a day demonstrated a significant reduction in anxiety, depression, loneliness, and fear of missing out.
2. The study found that striving to reduce social media usage, even if occasionally exceeding the limit, still yielded positive mental health benefits.
3. The researchers suggest this self-limiting method of reducing social media usage, which could be more practical than strict abstention, may serve as an effective intervention against rising mental health issues among young adults.

Additionally, even the US Surgeon General for Juvenile Justice has sent an advisory against social media because of it's consequences on mental health. You can take a look at the full advisory here:

https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/news/juvjust/us-surgeon-general-issues-advisory-social-media-and-youth-mental-health#:~:text=U.S.%20Surgeon%20General%20Dr.,harms%20social%20media%20use%20poses.

It's okay, we can recognize this is a pretty grim situation. That does not mean we are going to ignore it. It is however worth noting that educators are very limited in their scope. The harsh reality is that these trends will continue and exist regardless of whether or not we accept technology in the classroom. So then, what are some pros to technology in the classroom? 

Collaboration is Key

What can collaboration look like within a tech-integrated classroom? 

1. Students have more voice. Many students are raised using phones, computers, and tablets even before they show up to their first day of school. This means that if we are not allowing them to utilize them in their school work, we are eliminating one of their fundamental means of communicating. Many students who don't feel comfortable participating in verbal dialogue may feel more comfortable participating through message boards, chatrooms, or even text submissions. We should seek to include these students more.
2. Students equipped with technology can increase equity. From dyslexia and dysgraphia to social anxiety, technology can help us to bridge the participation gap of a multitude of students. There is no longer a reason for a student to have to learn in their second, or even third language! 
3. If we are here to teach practical skills, isn't it important to teach to the reality of the workforce that students will be entering? There is not much value to being able to write an essay if business professionals prefer the emails generated with a kind tone through ChatGPT. (This view is entirely geared toward job-acquisition education). 
4. Technology can be a conversation point to discuss the importance of values. There are many case studies that can be analyzed to demonstrate the issues with unethical use of technology, and this can actually be a driving point for conversations and help prepare students for the real life struggles they may encounter. 
5. Technology isn't going away. Our next generation will be the pilots of this new technology, and I have a feeling that technology will be the driving force in our future. If we want a future that is moving toward improvement for all, then we shouldn't treat it like a taboo.

                                         

In summary, technology is going nowhere. Every year our economy and society is becoming more and more integrated with technology and if we care about having our students involved in the industries that are shaping society, we should be integrating it into our education. That does not mean that we are handing our students over to technology. In fact, I believe it means quite the opposite. I believe we are responsible for equipping a generation with a view of technology grounded in it's benefits as well as it's drawbacks. A generation that is capable of recognizing when something is being executed unethically, in a way that takes away from marginalized communities. There is so much good to be found in technology, but we shouldn't forget the good that can be found in our communities. When our students feel lost or overwhelmed, it is our job to help them plant their feet on the grass and remember the possibilities before them. 

Technology in Education should never be about technology. It should always be about students.