Learning in Technology: An In-Depth Look at the Benefits of Tech in Classrooms

Learning in Technology: An in-depth Look at the Benefits of Tech in Classrooms

In 1996 President Clinton and Vice President Gore called for connecting every classroom in American to the information superhighway. At the time, the technology used in classrooms primarily stood to rehash traditional instructions like drill and practice in multiplication tables. Other uses included word processing for writing, databases for collecting and analyzing information and desktop publishing for software for publishing. Computers became a way for students to understand new skills that weren't common or well understood. The technology available in is drastically different from our perception of technology today. Computing is no longer about computers, but has a much broader implication that affects our daily lives. With the emergence of the internet, technology has grown exponentially within the past few years and educators today are realizing that the presence of computers in the classroom aren't enough anymore and that they must find a way to integrate technology into the classroom, in order to effectively capture the attention of students everywhere.

According to (Oblinger, and Oblinger) students today differ from previous students in that modern students are intuitive visual communicators, are better able to integrate visual spatial skills, they learn better by discovery and can shift their attention easily from one thing to another. Students today also prefer to work in teams and like interactivity and a rapid pace and are more comfortable with visuals than with text. Every aspect of today's student points to incorporating technology into the classroom for a more effective learning environment. With an ever-evolving set of students more privy to technology than their predecessors it only stands to incorporate technology into the classroom.

Incorporating technology into the classroom has many implications for learning. According to Howard Gardner, a learning theorist, individuals may posses as many as seven forms of intelligence: linguistic, logical/mathematical, musical, spatial, kinesthetic, interpersonal and intrapersonal. These types of intelligences can be combined and exercised further with the use of technologies, especially technology involving multimedia. (Oblinger, and Oblinger) By allowing students access to technology, not only will it exercise various talents and abilities but also encourage teamwork and interactions. Students working together on building a computer program or simulating real-life situation not easily recreated in real-life gives students the opportunity to understand what happens during certain circumstances both visually and cognitively. It's difficult to show just what happens during an earthquake or measure how far it spans but a simple computer program could not only show what it looks like, but many more aspects than just reading about it in a text book.

Not only is technology important in enhancing different types of intelligences, it also helps to motivate learners. By utilizing technology in classrooms, it breaks up the monotony of a traditional lecture based or practice modes (Schmidt). By actively engaging students in the lesson, it keeps students both alert and intrigued in what is happening in the classroom. On top of this, students are taking on more responsibility for their education and integrating themselves with it on a first hand basis. This is pivotal for both the learning environment as well as the development of skills to continue learning after students have left the formal education setting. Online resources used in classroom allow for more interesting and diverse learning materials (edutopia). The internet provides ways for students to connect to the real world and enhances understanding by utilizing sights, sounds, and textual stimulation. By incorporating the use of technology into classrooms, a teacher can effectively engage the students with higher-level thinking and interesting new material to keep them both on their toes and their minds from wandering. A study conducting by Harold Wenglinsky notes a positive correlation to the presence of technology in the classroom and higher achievement in students (Weglinsky), however Wenglinsky states that the technology is only as effective as how it is used within the classroom. Students' motivation is effected in different ways as well. Almost universally, students show a greater willingness to participate in a certain area because of the technology and the immediate feedback it provides. Students are also intrigued by being able to utilize the same computer-based tools as their teachers, providing students with a sense of empowerment from learning to control a computer and use it in ways they associate with the real world. Technology also opens up a large tool for teachers if used in an effective way. Students are already engaging in an active role when using technology and making active choices about how to generate, obtain, manipulate or display information (Schmidt), however the teachers role also changes. As the focus is no longer centered on the teacher, their role as the information dispenser is lost, as they play more of a facilitating role and instead of rehashing information. Teachers set project goals and provide guidelines for the students while letting students teach themselves, providing suggestions and asking questions when necessary. Students are also able to complete more complex assignments and participate in higher order skills because of the support and capabilities of the technology at hand (Schmidt).

According to Phua Kia Wang, a principal at North Vista Primary School, 100 percent of students studied indicated that they preferred the use of physical objects and more than 90 percent said the use of graphics or other visual aids helped in learning. The results fell to 20 percent if words alone were used to explain a concept. Phua believes that technology is vital in classrooms because the student's world today is based in technology. "While the virtual world may not be real to us, it is real to the students," which is why Phua supports whiteboard technology in every classroom. Christopher Chong,