Description: Today, schools are rapidly changing. Technological progress didn’t make us wait for classroom changes. Let’s see what these are and how well or badly they go Matokeo Kidato cha Nne 2022.

The Pros and Cons of Technology in Education

The current system of education is facing drastic and rapid changes. They happen all over the world in each classroom. What are those changes, you ask? Well, of course, it’s all about the tech’s influence on our lives and every sphere. Of course, education hasn’t become an exception. These days young people enjoy a completely different approach to studying. Students learn differently and experiment with new study methods and teaching techniques. Moreover, even schools follow suit. Now, it’s all about digitalization and adaptation to a new technological era. However, only time can tell whether it’s a good thing for schools or a bad one. We have collected a few pros and cons of such changes. Let’s see what those are.

Pros: Technology is exciting

Students value technology for its fun element. They are engaging, interactive, and exciting to explore and observe. Thus, they can uplift classrooms’ atmosphere and make lessons more interesting to students. Many IT companies actually work specifically on transforming classrooms into more engaging and exciting places to learn.

However, there are also educational games, learning apps, and other forms of digital learning that step aside from the traditional style. Instead, they engage learners with fun interactions, instant feedback, and gamification elements.

Cons: It Can Get Very Expensive

Not all schools can afford to purchase, install, and service modern pieces of software and other gadgets. Needless to say, technology can get very expensive. It’s especially trying for the newest programs and gadgets often advised for classrooms, such as Artificial Intelligence and Virtual Reality. Of course, these are high-end examples of what people expect from modern classrooms. Yet, providing hundreds of students with a powerful school Wi-Fi network, online student classrooms, and computer labs is already a challenge for many low-budget schools. Not to mention that most such systems get outdated rapidly. They require replacement, security checks, and maintenance.

Pros: Digital world is the future

There is no secret to where the world is going. We are on the verge of living in a fully digitalized world that operates primarily on technologies. It’s fair to acknowledge the impact of such social changes on younger generations. Such a situation will have an enormous effect on their lives and life as we know it in general. Already, learners rely on the digital world for most of time in their study experiences. Thus, students can look for information online, collaborate over distance, pay for an essay when needed, etc.

However, these functions are only the tip of the iceberg. The real power of the tech world is still underneath the water surface. That’s where ed-technology comes to the rescue. It helps educate young learners about the digital world, its importance and pitfalls, functions, and purposes. Students need to have tech classrooms so they can start their acquaintances with technology early on in life. The earlier it happens, the easier their later initial progress will be.

Cons: Teachers Lack Digital Training

Today’s teachers often lack basic training in how to use and apply modern technology. Hence, such a poor understanding of the purposes and functionality of certain ed-programs or gadgets can result in negative experiences, frequent errors, and obstructions to the learning processes. Moreover, a lack of experience or even understanding of technologies can make educators bitter and resentful toward modern education approaches.

Teachers may oppose tech classrooms or quit their jobs altogether once feeling pressure to accept the changes. All of these factors are in no way a sign of positive classroom experiences. Basically, poor tech training among teachers can lead to quite the opposite results of what ed-technology is trying to achieve here. Such an issue can cause falling behind in the study program, an unhealthy work environment, and resentment of changes. However, we can improve the situation by simply organizing mandatory tech training for teachers.

Pros: Personalized learning

Modern ed-technology signifies a new era in schools. It’s not just because of all the digital novelties filling the classrooms. It’s also about the freedoms that come with a technological approach. For example, now, students have more or less unlimited access to knowledge and information online. They are free to search for any data and lessons. Moreover, people can also learn by themselves, without relying on teachers to be the primary knowledge bearers or gatekeepers in some cases.

However, such a change doesn’t mean we don’t need educators now. On the contrary, teachers can better fulfill their purposes by being the educational guides in a classroom. Technology can complete most of the mundane, secondary tasks like test revision or progress analysis all by itself. Hence, teachers can enjoy more time with their students. They can focus on their immediate needs and help them understand the information they perceive through various technologies.