Technology has become an integral part of the student experience in schools worldwide. Educational technology fosters creativity, increases student engagement, and helps make learning accessible to all.
However, technology’s role in education is complex. The constant connection and unlimited information access it affords can have downsides. Let’s review some of the pros and cons associated with educational technology.
Pros and Cons of EdTech
Educational technology has transformed the way students learn. Digital tools allow students to immerse themselves in lessons in a way that is impossible with traditional methods.
However, the growing use of technology is contributing to shortened attention spans, increased chances of cyberbullying, and distracted learners.
Educational technology is here to stay. Its benefits make it a valuable part of the learning process. Awareness of edtech’s advantages and disadvantages lets you make informed decisions about its use to maximize the benefits and minimize potential challenges.
Information Access
Technology provides almost unlimited access to information, and limitless learning opportunities mean students can become knowledgeable in any subject they’re interested in. Still, the appeal of being online can make it hard to focus on the task at hand.
Increases Access
Students now have instant access to information that was once difficult to obtain. They can explore any subject that interests them and learn from almost anywhere, as long as they have a digital device and internet access.
In addition, online tools provide unparalleled learning experiences. Classes take virtual field trips to the Great Wall of China or the Van Gogh Museum. Assistive technology supports students with disabilities, providing accessible and equitable education with resources such as text-to-speech assistive tools and alternative keyboards.
Creates Distractions
Classroom tech enhances digital literacy and students’ technology skills by introducing them to new digital tools; however, it also creates distractions by providing easy access to non-educational websites, social media, and games.
In addition, constant notifications and the opportunity to multitask reduce focus and make it harder for students to stay engaged during instruction.
Student Engagement
Tech tools are designed to transform traditional lessons into dynamic instruction that captures students’ attention through interactive learning experiences, gamification, and differentiated online instruction.
While technology offers many opportunities to enhance student engagement, it can also distract from learning and contribute to shortened student attention spans.
Boosts Student Engagement & Motivation
Educational technology can make learning more engaging and tailored, ultimately enhancing student performance and keeping students more engaged and motivated.
For example, learning platforms such as Dreambox and Khan Academy adjust the difficulty of content based on individual performance. This approach offers students lessons that are challenging enough to keep them engaged without overwhelming them. Gamified elements of the lessons motivate students to stay focused.
Teachers can also use technology to target different learning styles and engage students regardless of their learning styles. For example, teachers can share written and video content that appeals to visual and auditory learners. Interpersonal learners benefit from tools like Google Docs or Padlet, where they collaborate with peers in real time.
Technology can even boost motivation in an area most students dread: assessment. Digital tools like Kahoot! and Quizizz help teachers pre-assess knowledge, administer test prep, and complete assessments in a fun, engaging way.
Shortens Attention Span
A 2004 study showed that the average attention span when using technology was 2.5 minutes. Today, research shows that the average person's attention span is 47 seconds.
Today’s near-constant use of technology has significantly decreased human attention spans. This decrease is sometimes called “TikTok Brain.” While educational technology has its place in the classroom, it also contributes to shortened attention spans.
Communication
Thanks to technology, communication can occur instantly in various forms. Email and even text messaging have bridged a gap between students and educators in a way previously unfathomable. The speed and convenience of online communication are invaluable for students who would have previously forgotten or struggled to speak to their teacher about certain topics.
However, frequently turning to online communication leaves little room for face-to-face interactions. Students miss opportunities to develop important conversational skills such as reading nonverbal cues and actively listening to their conversation partners.
Allows for Real-Time Communication
Students use apps and digital resources to engage in real-time communication between their peers and teachers.
For example, with Google Classroom, students can add comments to an assignment to seek immediate clarification about the directions. Using Padlet, participants can post their ideas and questions to a shared Padlet board, which updates in real-time.
Decreases Face-to-Face Interaction
An increased reliance on digital tools reduces the amount of face-to-face communication that students are willing to initiate. The ease and anonymity of online communication may make online interactions the preferred way to communicate with others.
For example, some students may email teachers about grade concerns instead of speaking to them after class. While convenient, it eliminates the opportunity to develop the skills and confidence fostered by face-to-face interaction.
Connections
Students use technology to collaborate on a wide range of assignments, whether they’re completing in-person or remote learning. However, this constant state of connectedness increases the chance of cyberbullying.
Creates a Collaborative Learning Environment
Students use digital tools to work with classmates simultaneously, even if they’re participating in online learning from different areas.
Learners can collaborate on a single document or assignment during group work. This collaborative environment reduces the risk of traditional group projects, where one or two students take the lead and complete most of the work.
Digital tools associated with collaborative learning often promote greater accountability. For example, teachers can use detailed time stamps to examine the history of a Google Slides presentation and see who contributed to each part of an assignment.
Increases Risk of Cyberbullying
Almost half of US teens have experienced some form of cyberbullying. The biggest contributors are the rise in smartphone use and social media, which allow constant access to the digital world.
Before technology, peer-to-peer communication took place in person, limiting interactions to times when students were together. Now, students can message, email, and text each other anytime.
The anonymity of an online presence also encourages students to speak more freely than they would in person. Although digital accounts used by students at school are linked to individual students' names, students can be creative in finding workarounds. For example, they can create secondary accounts or use tools with anonymous usernames.
Problem-Solving
Classroom technology prepares students for a world where digital literacy is required in nearly every role. However, too much reliance on technology can hinder the development of critical thinking skills.
Enhances Digital Literacy
Digital literacy skills are increasingly necessary in today’s world. Students exposed to a wide range of technology in the classroom have a deeper understanding of using different digital tools and troubleshooting various tech issues.
Students who know how to maximize the benefits of technology are more prepared for a tech-heavy future. According to the US National Science Foundation, STEM workers comprise 24 percent of the US workforce. A foundation of strong digital literacy skills is essential for students interested in pursuing a career in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics.
Reduces Critical Thinking
Alternatively, some students use apps and tools that require little to no critical thinking. For example, Photomath users can upload an image of a math problem and receive a step-by-step explanation of its solution.
The Google tool Socratic provides similar information on many topics. Students immediately receive the answer to almost any question presented without having to work to find the solution.
Search engines and AI-powered tools like ChatGPT are gaining popularity because they provide instant answers. Frequent use of these online resources discourages students from developing the necessary analytical skills to solve problems.
Wrapping Up
Educational technology can enhance students' learning and equip them with the necessary skills for future success. Being conscious of the pros and cons of technology in the classroom helps educators fully leverage technology’s potential and reduce any challenges students encounter.