Technology: what is its place in education?
Students of today are growing up with an ever-increasing knowledge of technology, both its good side and its bad side. This is a pandora's box, however, since technology's dark side is very dark and its bright side is extremely bright. Students know more about technology (the internet, phones, gaming systems, etc) than many of their teachers and this brings us to the question of how teachers should use technology in the classroom.
Students clearly get enough of it at home, but since their brains are being wired differently due to their exposure to electronics and other technology, there is no question that some of it must be integrated in schools. I believe that teachers shouldn't completely abandon books for eBooks or online text, but that technology should be employed in productive forms (SMART technology, Powerpoint, document cameras, etc.)
I firmly believe, however, that technology should merely be a conduit for information, rather than the focus of the lesson. It has its place, but it should not come before content in any situation. Teachers must still teach, but technology should be used for the betterment of the students and their continued learning.
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