Computing Technology Impact on Teaching and Learning 1

Computing Technology Impact on Teaching and Learning 1

Position Paper

Computing Technology Impact on Teaching and Learning

Phyllis Babin

ETEC 695

July 28, 2014

Computing technology, specifically educational and entertainment, has had both negative and positive impacts on teaching and learning. Advances in technology have caused tremendous changes on today’s world. Educational technology has created a gateway of information at everyone’s fingertips, as well as a new style of teaching and learning. Technology has made things more convenient and has also provided a great source of entertainment. Many young people have never lived without technology. However, life was very different pre such readily accessible technology. Kids today could not imagine a life without technology: specifically video games, internet, cable and cell phones. Increasing use of technology has also had negative affects such as a decrease in face to face socialization and potentially impacting peoples health. Educational technology has closed the globalization gap as well as increased research possibilities. Technology offers many people a sense of empowerment and provides tools necessary to solve problems.

McLuhan’s interview with Playboy magazine in 1969 explores how technology is simply an extension of man. He argues that the most important aspect of technology that society should work to understand is the medium of technology and how this medium is changing society. The interview begins with McLuhan stating that the turning point of technology was the development of a phonetic alphabet. This development signaled a shift from what is referred to as a “tribal interdependence and an auditory sense of life” versus the “visual linear values and fragmented consciousness” that exist today because of the development of a phonetic alphabet. From here, he looks at how the invention of the printing press laid the groundwork for the industrial revolution, which eventually led to the highly technologically dependent world of today.

From the printing press, McLuhan states that electric media (televisions, phones, radios, computers) have become so deeply embedded in society, that they have become merely extensions of human senses. Which goes back to his original statement of the medium of technology being used being significantly more important that whatever that medium is being used for. For example, the heavy reliance of students and educators today on computers and how this is altering the way students learn is far more important that what the computers are actually being used for by the teachers and educators. For example, students today use computers for the same reason that students of past generations used encyclopedias and other research methods. The research on the computers is not the most important part, but rather the fact that students are using these technologies to find and collect these research methods is what is shaping society.

McLuhan also states that education should be helping youth understand and adapt to these revolutionary new environments being created by the development of these technologies. He argues that since the education system is reactionary instead of progressive the outdated system would continue until the old generation of that time period (early 1970’s) relinquished power. He states in the interview that the “TV child” as he refers to the first generation of students raised in the technology age, is expected to go from being completely submersed in technology at home to being expected to revert back to textbooks and older technologies while at school. Since this interview was held in 1969, some of the ideas presented are dated, but the education system today has moved away from McLuhan’s idea of a reactionary environment to a much more progressive one integrating technology into all aspects of learning.

Another study also looks at how through the use of technology in classrooms, students from all over the world can participate in a much more globalized classroom setting without ever leaving the classroom. Through the use of video conferencing and other technology mediums, students can share and collaborate information with students from across the world and foster a much more collaborative learning environment. For example, these technologies foster a student’s ability to learn foreign languages simply by exposing them to students from cultures where that is the primary language used.

This is not to say that all use of technology in a classroom is positive and according to Julia Klaus in her article titled “Negative effects of using Technology in Today’s Classroom,” is that it can be overused and turn what should be educational experiences into games and playtime for students. It also requires both students and teachers to be proficient in the use of technology or valuable time can be taken away from class time. Different learning types may also learn better through interaction with peers and teachers instead of through computers or other technologies, so these types of students may not benefit from a completely technology dependent learning environment.

Students now expect to be entertained at all times while learning and that is just not possible one hundred percent of the time. Entertainment technology has created an immediate gratification society. It has also created unrealistic expectations for many about how things should be. For example, reality television shows portrays families and teens with an abundance of wealth and picture perfect lives while often the show does not adequately depict the ins and outs of a “normal” family or teen’s life.

In conclusion, there are both positive and negative impacts of students and teachers in today’s classrooms relying heavily on all forms of technology. We examined the influence of the entertainment technology on society and more specifically, education. The positive impacts include a more global, inclusive experience for students, newer and faster ways to research any topics students need access to, and preparing students for a world that is completely dependent on these same forms of technology. The negative impacts include these technologies opening doors for some students not learning as well, valuable instruction time being lost on trying to understand new technologies, and education being considered a game to some students. It will be interesting to look back on today’s education system and see how rapidly it changes in ten, twenty and even thirty years from now.

References

Klaus, J. (n.d.). Negative Effects of using Technology in Today’s Classroom | The Classroom |

Synonym. The Classroom. Retrieved July 23, 2014, from

http://classroom.synonym.com/negative-effects-using-technology-todays-classroom-4130.

McCoy, W. (n.d.). Five Positive Effects of Technology on Education. Small Business. Retrieved

July 17, 2014, from http://smallbusiness.chron.com/five-positive-effects-technology-

education-31222.html

McLuhan, E., & Zingrone, F. (1969, March 1). Essential McLuhan. Playboy.