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Technology in Classrooms

Have you ever been using a piece of technology in class and realized the task would be much easier without it? Has technology ever slowed you down while you were trying to learn or been a distraction? These are some of the common negative factors that come with technology. Although bringing technology into the classroom usually ultimately expands the learning experience, sometimes it doesn’t.

Here at Hopewell Valley Central High School, like all other schools, we are lucky enough to have the use of computers in our classrooms. Unfortunately, all schools did not used to have computer access. Times are changing though and some would argue that computers are now as common as textbooks.

In 2001, 51 percent of public schools had internet access. By 2005, nearly 100 percent of public schools in America had computers. That means that between 2001 and 2005, practically 50 percent of public schools gained computers, which is a big deal.

Why are computers in classrooms such a big deal? Computers are the most common piece of technology used in classrooms not including calculators. By having a computer, one instantly magnifies the amount of information they have access to. An encyclopedia is not even comparable to the amount of information you have access to with the internet.

Robert Siris, teacher of comparative world religion, sociology and history courses at Hopewell Valley Central High School, says “I think the change is definitely for the better, you’re able to communicate more effectively.” He also says that the content of information being covered has tripled because of the new technology.

Although technology is great when it comes to expanding the learning experience and building new skills, sometimes the experience isn’t so great. Sometimes the piece of technology becomes more of a distraction or an annoyance. Besides technology being expensive, its biggest downfall is that sometimes it is hard to understand.

Of course when you use a piece of technology for the first time it is hard to understand. But sometimes, it is too hard to understand and can be frustrating. When Mr. Siris is asked what he thinks the biggest problem with technology he says “I think some people can become too reliant on it” and “there’s always going to be cases when things don’t work.”

Technology has come so far and changed so much in the past ten years. So the question is what's next? There has been talk of adding iPads to classrooms. The iPad is basically a flat screen computer made by Apple. It would be able to be used as a text book, music instrument, it could be used for note taking and much, much more. The purpose would be to improve many types of skills of the students. One of the biggest problems with the iPad is that they are expensive and hard for schools to afford.

Although the iPads would be nice, Mr. Siris would like to see video cameras coming into the classroom. If we had video cameras, we could connect with other schools and it would be much easier to obtain guest speakers.

Overall, technology is changing rapidly and the classrooms are changing with it. Whether it is for better or the worst is debatable. However the change is a definite.

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This video shows ways that the iPad could be used in classroms.