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Sahara Woodruff
Jane Blakelock
English 2100-30
10 February 2016
Education and Technology first draft
Whether it is a cell phone, computer, car, or television technology is a big
influence in our daily lives. The importance of technology has increased over the years from the
19th century. It has increased so much that we now use technology in our schools. There are
pros and cons to the use of technology in schools. Being a college student myself I find
technology to be very useful, efficient, and less time consuming, but others beg to differ.
This topic stood out mainly because I am majoring in Organizational Leadership, and
learning different methods of teaching and training others could lead to a better work
environment and possibly gain more knowledge according to how a subject was taught.
Technology is a useful tool that citizens use every day. Professionals are always researching
methods and the newest technology that will help improve work performance and better their
company. There are some things that educators do not focus on and do not know about before
implementing technology in the classrooms.
Technology can be very beneficial especially when it is used correctly and
universally understood for students in school. Some of the beginning worries of using
technology in the classroom setting was whether or not students would be attentive and absorb
what they were learning through the computer screen. According to Lynne Schrums article on

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Education World, gives her own perspective on how technology can enhance learning. In the
early 80s using computers and technology to teach students was not supported due to bad
software but in todays age it is much more expected. First and foremost, developing a plan and
what you want to teach through the computer. Lynne found while researching and getting input
from other teachers that they explore different ways to teach through technology. They figure it
can be somewhat of a more hands on stimulation way to learn rather than lecture.
The next step in this process is to come up with different activities to teach through
technology. For example kindergarteners have puzzles and electronic games like bop its to
practice patterns. On a higher level college students have virtual online activities for a certain
topic (health, lifespan and development, etc.). All of these are different ways of teaching and
instilling a concept in students. Lastly teachers must master the tools to enhance learning for
their students. Computer software is so up to date that it is not much of a concern to develop a
lesson plan for education. All of these are reasons one may find technology to be helpful, not
only for educators but students as well.
In 2009, National Center for Education Statistics found that: Teachers reported having
the following technology devices either available as needed or in the classroom every day: LCD
(liquid crystal display) or DLP (digital light processing) projectors (36 and 48 percent,
respectively), interactive whiteboards (28 and 23 percent, respectively), and digital cameras (64
and 14 percent, respectively). Of the teachers with the device available, the percentage that used
it sometimes or often for instruction was 72 percent for LCD or DLP projectors, 57 percent for
interactive whiteboards, and 49 percent for digital cameras. These statistics show that
technology is on the rise. Educators are still hesitant to allowing it in certain schools here in the
United States.

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The pros can potentially outweigh the cons of technology being used for education.
Others believe that technology is too costly and can cause distractions. Laurie quoted from
Helpful or Harmful: The Use of Technology in Schools Will Richardson, co-founder of
Powerful Learning Practice, stated that "There are still better technology options for
constructivist, meaningful learning (i.e., laptops) that provide power and flexibility that phones
and tablets cannot. That, of course, may change. But regardless, for many kids right now,
especially at the lower end of the income scale, these devices are their only connections to the
content and people who can help them learn great things. We need to leverage that". This is why
some educators do not use technology as a source to teach. The budget does not allow it and
some students do not have the resources at home to continue what they started as school.
Some believe that technology is too much of a distraction. This is a challenge that we
still face today. The older generation may be use to concrete materials (books, pencil, paper,
calculator, ect.) being used in class and do not believe in change. For example some college
professors do not even allow laptops or cell phones in class. Not only can it distract the student
from instruction and learning, but it can distract everyone around them as well. This is why most
of the time students in grade school are prohibited from cell phone usage in school as well as
bringing their own laptop to school, they are usually provided so they can be monitored. But
because technology is so big today, could it interfere or improve students learning in the future?
According to my research individuals in the United Kingdom believe so. They are doing
renovations and including technology as part of their curriculum. For those studying design and
technology. Following the renovation, teaching staff will be using the task sheets to make the
most of the new machinery as part of its design and technology courses. Richard White, head
teacher at the school, said: "We are pleased to have been presented with HME Technology's

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D&T teacher task sheets in a bid to boost interest in studying the subject at GCSE. The task
sheets will enable teachers to confidently and successfully plan and teach lessons in this field,
using an array of 14 different machines. We fully support the ambition to see the subject at the
core of the national curriculum, as without it, the shortfall in skilled workers could have a serious
effect on the UK economy. We devote ourselves to the future careers of 14 -19 year olds on the
Isle of Wight and believe that D&T provides the skills required in many careers."
Martyn Hale, chairman of HME Technology, added: "Design and technology is suffering
because it's not at the forefront of teachers' minds. It is currently an optional subject. We would
urge that D&T should be in the core subjects. It is estimated that without such measures, there
will be a deficit of 340,000 engineers in the UK by 2020. It is quite harrowing what the future
holds if D&T is not pushed in the curriculum. There will be a severe shortage of skilled manual
workers and this will affect the economy in the UK as manufacturing may have to leave the
country completely or be brought in from abroad. With the introduction of the task sheets, our
goal is to help teachers deliver exciting lessons. The lessons will hopefully inspire students to
study D&T further, and help shape the UK for a brighter future."
The United Kingdoms outlook on technology is relatively more positive then the
working and board staff of education here in the United States. It is important to know how
technology is advancing around the world because we all could learn from one another and study
the practices that lead to success. The article above can relate to our vocational schools here in
the United States. The staff in a school like Miami Valley Career Technology Center may agree
with the philosophy of Martyn Hail chairman of HME. Some schools (vocational, trade schools)
require technology in the class room. For example, computer technology, allied health, film
making, and computer design all require some form of technology. The students that attend

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Miami Valley CTC are assigned laptops for the duration of school to increase excellence in the
work field. If students already know how to use technology it would not hurt for when they
graduate and must apply it to work, for technology is major in the work force.
Being a graduate of Miami Valley CTC myself, I found the use of technology extremely
helpful in my learning. I learned how to use Microsoft and how it would apply in my field of
allied health, as well as researching and teaching discipline in the classroom. Learning to use all
the software of Microsoft later helped with documenting and filing when I worked in a nursing
home as a nurses aide. This is only one of the reasons I am an advocate of technology in
schools.
Ashley Wainwright easily listed five reasons from her list of ten on why we need
technology in schools. From the blog, 10 Reasons Todays Students NEED Technology in the
Classroom If used correctly, will help prepare students for their future careers, which will
inevitably include the use of wireless technology. Integrating technology into the classroom is
definitely a great way to reach diversity in learning styles. It gives students the chance to interact
with their classmates more by encouraging collaboration. Technology in the classroom, school
wireless networks, technology helps the teachers prepare students for the real world
environment. As our nation becomes increasingly more technology-dependent, it becomes even
more necessary that to be successful citizens, students must learn to be tech-savvy. Integrating
technology in education everyday helps students stay engaged. Todays students love technology
so they are sure to be interested in learning if they can use the tools they love.
All of the good and bad attributes of technology may influence others to be for or against
technology. One may find technology to be useful and helpful in advancing the world and
preparing students for the real world after school. Others may argue that technology is used to

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soon in the schooling system. If you ask me, the sooner the better. Technology is a part of life
today it is used in every home, work facility, lesuire activities, etc. why not implement it in our
schools. It is important to upgrade rather than regress.

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Resources
Schrum, Lynne. "Technology as a Tool to Support Instruction." Education World:. N.p., n.d.
Web. 07 Feb. 2016.
Laurie. "Helpful or Harmful: The Use of Technology in Schools." Helpful or Harmful: The Use
of Technology in Schools. Youth Voices, 3 Apr. 2013. Web. 07 Feb. 2016.
Townley, A. (2016, February 18). Bromsgrove company launches new scheme to promote design
and technology in schools. Retrieved February 24, 2016, from
http://www.lexisnexis.com.ezproxy.libraries.wright.edu/hottopics/lnacademic/
U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics. (2010). Teachers' Use of
Educational Technology in U.S. Public Schools: 2009 (NCES 2010-040). Web. 24 Feb. 2016.
Wainwright, Ashley. "10 Reasons Today's Students NEED Technology in the Classroom." 10
Reasons Today's Students NEED Technology in the Classroom. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Mar. 2016.
Miltenoff, Plamen. "Effective Teaching with Technology in Higher Education: Foundation for
Success (review)." Portal: Libraries and the Academy 4.2 (2004): 300-02. Web.