Progress of Technology in the Classroom

Technology in the classroom has greatly changed over the past century and has aided teachers and the way they are able to teach and assess their students. I could not imagine a world without chalkboards (well now “dry erase” boards). It is unbelievable to think that teachers had to go around to each individual student and would have to explain to them on their own personal slate the material. It wasted time and must have been mentally exhausting with overcrowded classrooms and students who had just come to America. Now teachers are able to teach all the students by writing examples and explanations on the board for the entire class versus demonstrating to each one individually.

After viewing the video on the evolution of technology, I believe that one of the most influential technologies that have helped education in Language Arts has to be the computer. The computer has aided students in being able to write and prepare better essays due to Microsoft Word, which can help students who may struggle with spelling or formatting. It has made papers more formalized and also easier for teachers to read instead of wasting time deciphering through poor penmanship. Besides making assignments easier to complete and assess, the computer also has allowed students to find articles and short stories with the click of a mouse, making it more accessible for students to read. Educational games based through computer programs and websites can help students with grammar, literature, and spelling all by playing a game, which is one of the most effective ways for a student to learn.

After reading both A Social History of Media and Technology in Schools and Rethinking Technology in Schools, the computer proves to be the most influential technology within formalized schooling. In Dr. Domine's interview with Grace Dubois, A Social History of Media and Technology in Schools, Grace gives her opinion on the use of computer games being used in schools, "I don’t think it is an appropriate message to send to our students—that if they complete the“boring” schoolwork then they can play “fun” video games. I think that is a false dichotomy. What I have learned is that media interactivity does not guarantee interactive learning or even innovative teaching" (Dubois, 48). I do agree that it is not always guaranteed that students will engage with the interactivity, especially as the students get into middle and high school. However, I do think that computer games, educational ones, are extremely effective. I know that throughout all my education, especially in elementary school, I was playing what I believed to be a game, but learned and retained so much knowledge. Grammar and spelling interactivities can be helpful to students who are struggling with pronunciation and could be a beneficial aid at home to help reinforce the lessons from the teacher.

Online research is imperative to students while writing papers. Being able to easily access online journals and articles about a variety of topics allows the students to build their essays on a word document while easily attaching their sources. Regarding computers Dr. Domine in Chapter 2 of Rethinking Technology in Schools says, “—technologies will liberate students from the traditional classroom, enabling them to be self-motivated learners and creators of their own knowledge” (Domine, 36). I agree with the quote because students are able to use sources to validate their own thesis, rather than sources creating the thesis for them. Students of the “digital era” are learning in a different way by gathering information online in a matter of minutes rather than hours spent in the library.

The computer has made a great impact on technology in the classroom, but with any form of technology, there are some drawbacks. The computer does contain many sources online for students to help aid them in papers or projects. Some students take advantage of the vast amount of information on the internet and use it to plagiarize. It is unfortunate that some students refuse to write their own assignments, but instead copy and paste others hard work and take the credit.

We have come a long way from writing on chalk with slates and typing on a type writer to using a universally functional device to read and write on easily. The computer has also made the job of the teacher easier as well, “—my mother used it to record her grades and create assignment sheets and quizzes for her students” (Dubois, 47). Even though the computer makes certain tasks as a teacher and student easier to complete, it doesn’t mean that the work that goes into assignments and assessments should be less validated. Teachers still clock in those hours grading assignments that their students put time into writing and completing. The computer just alleviates a little of the stress by making these tasks seem more efficient.