Professor Should Use Technology in Class or Not

            Technology is almost used everywhere in our daily lives, home and communities. Many schools have also started exploring true technological potentials in teaching and learning. However some are still lagging behind in integrating technology in classroom learning. It is important to integrate technology in the daily learning and teaching practice (Scott, 1). Technology is necessary for students to help them acquire skills to survive in a current highly technological based economy. Thus, this paper will discuss why it is necessary for professors to use technology in class.

            Professors should let the use of technology in their system of teaching in class and this can help in improving the educational experience in a number of ways. Use of technology in teaching helps the professor to attain more experience in pedagogy. The professor will be required to learn on how to design and execute effectively and efficiently in class basing with the requirement of technology (Scott, 2). Use of technology may cause dramatic changes for example teaching with a flipped classroom. Therefore in getting well-versed with this kind of technology, professors can build a strong credibility with their students and colleagues. This kind of technology helps to deepen the learning of students for example through online collaboration where students are able to share documents with their instructors online hence helping students to learn more on themselves making the work easier for the professor (Scott, 2). Despite of this advantage of technology, it also has its negative implication. According to Waldorf School of the Peninsula, the system limits students to communicate verbally, creative thinking, human interaction, movements and attention spans. Students who learn using the technology tend to use technological tools in their assignments and this makes them have limited time to socially interact with others hence making the system disadvantageous (Scott, 1).

            Technology in classroom has numerous resources that help to improve education and make the learning more enjoyable, fun and effective (Scott, 2). There are various amazing tools from apps to e-textbooks to organizational platforms that can effectively help students to effectively get enhanced in their education system compared to the traditional system of education. These tools can help professors stay organized and help out students to achieve in this kind of education system (Scott, 2). Despite the effectiveness of this technology in enhancing education, not every student can afford to purchase these technological materials of learning for example laptops, computers, etc. Hence the system is discriminative of the poor students.

            Technology can help the professor’s tedious tasks be automated. This is through the help of engagement tools for example Top Hat which can automate grading for the professor and keep the performance of students on track (Scott, 2). In the same way, Top Hat can assist the professors in streamlining grading in writing assignments, participation, discussions and answering common questions which may seem daunting by nature. However, the professor faces hard moments in lesson planning with technology (Matt, 4). This is due to the fact that the progress in technology is a continuous process and it is changing every now and then which requires instructors to adjust to it accordingly.

            With technology in classrooms, students can instantly access information to supplement their learning experience (Scott, 2). This implies that the learning is handled hand in hand by the two parties that is the instructor and the students. Students can access the information online through their personal research which helps them to learn new things to add on what they get from their instructor. Therefore this indicates that the work of the instructor is more simplified through the use of technology. However, through research they may not find top-quality sources or information and hence they need thorough guidance on how to identify proper and unreliable sources.

            Professors should also use technology in class because it can help students learn some vital life skills for example online etiquette, how to use internet sources, writing emails. Additionally, it is necessary to use technology in class because the world we are living in is a digital world which recommends the use of technology everywhere (Scott, 2). And with this, students will be prepared for a future that is characterized with technology. These skills may be useful to the students in future by applying it at their places of work. Additionally, technology advocates say that computers will help students to favorably compete in the modern world of technology (Matt, 5). However some students misuse technology to the extent that they use it to practice evil in classroom for example cheating in class. Students with high knowledge of technology practice cheating and other associated evils that are not in line with the requirement of technology hence making it detrimental in the learning and also dangerous to the youths today hence rising a debate among parents in some schools (Matt, 4).

Conclusion

            Technology is an important aspect that needs to be handled with a lot of properness. When handled improperly, it produces negative outcomes whereas when handled properly, it produces the best as far as learning and teaching are concerned. Professors should use technology in class on condition that it is properly handled to benefit the learners and simplify their work as instructors. Therefore to sum it all, there is a lot that technology can do to enhance education as discussed above and this creates a big distinction between the traditional system and the current system of education

 

 

Works Cited

Matt Richtel, a silicon valley school that doesn’t compute. The New York Times Company, October.22.2011.

Scott Steinberg, technology for Schools and teachers: 5reasons Digital Learning Matters.