Tech in the Classroom: Changing the Way We Learn

by Maggie McKenzie and Kash Robinson

In today's classrooms, technology is almost impossible to ignore. From laptops and tablets to AI assistants, tech has transformed how students learn and engage, as well as how teachers teach. While technology has many benefits, it also raises important questions about focus, equity, and understanding. Let’s talk about the benefits and drawbacks of technology in a learning environment. 

One of the biggest advantages of technology in education is access. Students can look up information effortlessly, use online resources to help them study and work on projects together, even when they are not in the same room. Educational apps and websites can make difficult subjects more engaging through videos, games, and helpful simulations. These tools can make learning more interactive and memorable. Technology also benefits the little things, such as printing out assignments, sending emails, creating slideshows, and articles such as this one. Teachers also benefit from technology. Digital resources make it easier to organize projects, keep track of students' progress, and give feedback and constructive criticism. Platforms like Microsoft Teams have become main resources for communication and collaboration, especially after the switch to online school during the pandemic. 

While having access to the internet in school is incredibly helpful for researching, it is also still a difficult thing to navigate when it comes to discipline, distraction, and attention span. Many people find themselves going for their phones when they are in public settings such as the mall, or school in fear of looking alone or unoccupied but also because it has become something you do out of habit, unconsciously. Texting is a big help in today's world but because of it, a lot of students actually have trouble printing neatly and spelling words correctly because devices use autocorrect. Regular 7-hour school days have become increasingly harder for some high schoolers, as well as teachers, to get through because of attention span. Many apps are specifically designed to keep you connected for hours on end, like Instagram Reels, TikTok and YouTube Shorts, with the algorithm continuously feeding you interesting content.

Ultimately, technology is a tool that can be incredibly helpful but needs to be used the right way. In school, it should be something that enhances learning, while not replacing traditional working habits altogether.