Introduction
Innovations have always had a great influence on the K-12 education system. However, the explosion of technology has shifted how teaching is carried out in schools (Lynch). Many people supporting technology believe that education system changes will continue because of the growing number of inventions that are altering the old teaching profession (Lynch).
Most people believe that the traditional education system will end soon because it is not preparing students to face current challenges in the real world. On the other hand, skeptics claim that the implementation of technology in schools should carefully consider potential negative consequences (Lynch). Concerning the above arguments, this paper will present the positive and the negative issues about technology in the learning process for K-12 education.
The Positive Aspects of Technology in the K-12 Education System
Technology provides a better interactive experience during the process of teaching and learning. With the introduction of computers, tablets, and mobile phones, students can now perform activities they could not do previously (Hernandez-de-Menendez 852). Furthermore, learners can access course units with enthusiasm because of the availability of digital books, simulations, and videos that make learning more interactive (Hernandez-de-Menendez 852). In addition, there is an opportunity for learners to dig deeper into areas of interest, enabling them to realize their talents, interests, or even their future profession (Hernandez-de-Menendez 852). Therefore, it is true that technology in K-12 education has created a better interactive experience during the learning and teaching process.
Technology provides access to a vast amount of information from different sources. Other than the students approaching learning more enthusiastically, they can access the most current information and research (Lynch). They do not need to go from one library to the other, dragging piles of books with them because the information is a click away from access, giving them more knowledge about what they are learning in class (Lynch). Therefore, technology provides learners with a huge volume of data obtained from various sources and equips them with internet searching skills.
The other advantage of technology in K-12 education is that it reduces educational costs. The introduction of technology in learning institutions has made resources more accessible, decreasing the need for books, tuition fees, and school supplies (Tang 2558). In addition, the availability of e-books on the internet has made life easier for families with low income and enabled students to approach learning on equal terms with their colleagues (Tang 2558). Another important aspect of e-books is that they indirectly contribute to decreased deforestation, a major environmental problem (Tang 2558). Therefore, introducing technology in the K-12 education system has reduced the cost of learning, which is advantageous to parents and the environment.
The Issues of Technology in the K-12 Education System
Technology distracts students when they are in class and outside. People supporting technological learning forget that learners continue using their tablets and mobile phones throughout the day, even after completing school activities (Tueros). Watching social media content and playing video games adapt children’s brains to entertainment and short-term content that can stimulate their dopamine system (Tueros). The main impact is that increased interactions with technological devices decrease learners’ attention (Tueros). In such cases, technology is disadvantageous because it interferes with student understanding in class.
Technology interferes with the natural social interactions of students at school. Human beings have lived for thousands of years socially interacting with one another (Tang 2562). However, technology has brought a gap in social interaction in school since many students spend most of their time browsing the internet on their smartphones or tablets (Tang 2562). Thus, it interferes with natural social interaction, which has resulted in an increased rate of depression (Tang 2562). At this rate, teachers can only encourage students to interact face-to-face with themselves. Therefore, technology in K-12 education has interfered with the student’s natural social interaction.
Technology has made it easier for learners to cheat in exams. Exam cheating has become one of the biggest problems teachers face today. A teacher will never know whether a student has another device while doing an exam online (Lynch). Such a problem has a long-term consequence since educational institutions cannot ascertain whether a student possesses the required skills to perform a particular job (Lynch). Therefore, exam irregularities caused by technology in education make students score high grades but lack knowledge.
Conclusion
Conclusively, this paper has explored the advantages and disadvantages of the integration of digital tools in K-12 educational practices. Technology is beneficial because it provides access to a large quantity of information from diverse sources, provides an imporved interactive experience when learning and teaching, and reduces the cost of education. On the other hand, technology has its drawbacks, such as interfering with students’ natural direct interaction, causing distraction to students when in class and outside, and encouraging exam cheating among students.
Nonetheless, different people indeed differ in their opinions about introducing technology into the education system. However, one ought to understand that the advantages of technology outweigh the disadvantages. Therefore, the disadvantages of technology should not be termed as a desire to return to traditional education but ought to be used to help shape the new education system.
Works Cited
Hernandez-de-Menendez, Marcela, Carlos A. Escobar Díaz, and Ruben Morales-Menendez. “Educational Experiences with Generation Z.” International Journal on Interactive Design and Manufacturing (IJIDeM), vol. 14, no. 3, (2020), pp. 847-859. Web.
Lynch, Matthew. “K-12 Technology: Benefits and Drawbacks – The Edvocate“. The Edvocate, 2022, Web.
Tang, Hengtao, Yu‐Ju Lin, and Yingxiao Qian. “Understanding K‐12 Teachers’ Intention To Adopt Open Educational Resources: A Mixed Methods Inquiry.” British Journal of Educational Technology, vol. 51, no. 6, (2020), pp. 2558-2572. Web.
Tueros, Tiffany. “Addressing Digital Technologies Needed for Students in K-12 Schools.” Student Research Submissions, (2021). Web.