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.
Differentiated Instruction
As a teacher, I am always aiming to incorporate as much differentiation as possible into my daily instruction. I know it helps my students grow at their own pace–and I know it will help my evaluation scores as well! Before the integration of so much technology in the classroom, it took a lot more time to provide personalized instruction for students. Now, thanks to technology, teachers can pull small groups while digital platforms help students target areas they are striving in. Teachers around the world have seen amazing success with students teaching themselves important skills all before they receive their general education instruction or small group time to enhance that. Tech yes!
Motivated Learning
In my experience, I love using positive rewards with students that they are motivated by–and if that earns them a technology break–then so be it! For example, I will allow my students to spend 10 minutes playing an approved online game after they have completed their weekly goals on our learning platforms. I’ve never seen students so incredibly motivated to learn, and it encourages a sense of pride as well. It’s a “win-win” for everyone.
Challenges
Potential for Distraction
While technology can be a great instrument for learning, students can be easily distracted from the teacher’s intended use of the tool. Often, students would rather spend time online gaming than using their assigned learning programs–but again, this is useful information if you can use that as a motivator.
Lack of Kinesthetic Learning
Reliance on visual learning often presents another challenge for students who are learning with technology. Since students are not able to touch, count, and feel their learning, this can present a learning gap. Especially in younger grades, students are very reliant on this kinesthetic part of learning, and as of now, most digital learning platforms do not include a kinesthetic learning element. Take care to offer supplemental, tactile tools to complement digital lessons.
Questions and Tools to Consider
As teachers and school leaders, it’s our choice: tech yes or no? And weighing pros and cons while also looking at specific school needs will be imperative as you make this decision. Do your students love technology? Will this pique their interest or potentially encourage too much distraction? Can digital platforms allow you to differentiate more? Will misuse of technology outweigh the benefits of meeting students at their level? These are the questions to consider.
If you are just beginning to wade into the tech waters, you might be looking for tools you know will be easy for teachers and loved by students. We’ve rounded up great classroom resources and ideas for every grade level and subject. Teachers across the country are passionate about using these tools, and students love them too! Here are our favorites:
Elementary
- Tracking student reading: Beanstack
- Learning and quiz generator: Brainpop, Study Island
- Tools to gamify learning: Kahoot, Blooket
Middle
High School
- Digital note taking
- Encouraging creative digital presentations: Canva
- Digital studying skills: Quizlet
- Tool to gamify studying: Quizizz, Gimkit
We hope these perspectives and ideas are helpful to you as you make decisions regarding your classroom or school-wide technology use on your campus. Ultimately, listening to the needs of your school is the most important, and we can’t wait to see the impact you make with your technology journey!
