Tech Yes or No? Benefits and Challenges of Digital Learning

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Today’s educational system has been transformed by technology. In my early years in school, I remember being enthralled with the Paint app on a giant Apple computer and playing with my LeapFrog. Flash forward to today, and students often spend much of their day learning on personal Chromebooks or engaging with a Smartboard. While we once relied on learning with technology completely in response to the global pandemic, educational leaders are now presented with more choices regarding technology. Are we saying, “Tech Yes!” or limiting its use?

Sarah Besand, a teacher at a digital literacy magnet school and Possip Reporter, reviews the pros and cons of teaching through tech. 

With the evaluation of any tool, weighing the pros and cons will be extremely important. We can then examine specific school needs and make a calculated decision about how technology will be used. Here are some of the benefits and potential challenges of digital learning:

Benefits

Increased Engagement

As a third grade teacher at a digital literacy magnet school, my targeted use of technology within my classroom almost always leads to increased student engagement. There will always be circumstances where pen and paper may be necessary, but any time I can use a tool like Kahoot or Blooket to assess or review with my students, I notice they are engaged the entire lesson, and I can gather important assessment data from the tools as well. 

Here’s what’s important to remember: this generation is the digital generation. Today’s students have spent their entire lives exposed to technology, and we can capitalize on their strengths by integrating digital platforms and tools into our daily instruction. Additionally, students can also teach us! Every day, I learn something new about technology from the new generation, and it makes an impact in me staying current.
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