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Ben Gilbert

Professor Freeland

ENG 1201

2 May 2021

How Does Technology Impact Education?

“Because of the increasing number of cases of COVID-19, schools will be closed for the

remainder of the school year,” the superintendent announced.

“What? How will my children learn what they need to know for next year? I don’t know

how to teach!” the exasperated mother exclaimed.

When COVID-19 caused schools across America to close in 2020, parents were stunned

and overwhelmed. What most people thought would be a two-weeks hurdle turned into months.

Resourceful teachers quickly transformed their own homes into “classrooms” and, with little to

no training in online education, utilized technology to reach out to their students. These

educators adapted lessons and taught their classes virtually. Parents wondered, though, if

students could learn online. While it may have taken some a little time to adjust to the transition,

students were no longer cut off from their teachers or their classmates because of technology.

While there have been online options for schooling for many years, until 2020, distance learning

was definitely not the norm. Schools across the country have actually utilized technology in a

myriad of ways for decades. How does technology impact education? Like most aspects of

education, technology has its critics, those who worry about students being isolated or suffering

physically from using a keyboard. However, technology positively impacts education by

connecting students, by enhancing the traditional learning model, and by providing new

opportunities.
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If schools were forced to close in 1970, students would have been denied their right to an

education. Teachers would have had no way to teach their students. Logistically, educators could

not have called each student on the telephone to explain each new concept individually or written

out worksheets and mailed them to each student. Fortunately, technology today bridges the

distance. Connecting students to their teachers is one positive impact technology makes in

education. Teachers can use email or utilize platforms like Google Classroom when they want to

get information to students or when they want to collect work to grade. Teachers can also use

Zoom which allows both the teacher and the student to see one another. This type of connecting

virtually can allow for conversations or can be a vehicle through which students can demonstrate

their skills, (“How to Connect with Your Students Using Zoom”). Technologies that allow real-

time conferencing can give students a chance to talk with their teachers, providing necessary

communication and interpersonal skills, too. Importantly, when teachers can “see” their students,

they are even able to identify red flags that might indicate child abuse, a sad but necessary role

that some educators had to fill during lock downs.

A popular feature of Zoom that many teachers utilize is its record feature which is

especially helpful if a student is not present in the meeting (“How to Connect with Your Students

Using Zoom”). In a traditional classroom, when a student misses a day of school, he or she can

pick up materials that were handed out that day or get a quick explanation by the teacher or a

classmate. If the student could instead watch the class later, he or she would have access to

everything that went on. A recording can also allow a student to pause or re-play a portion to

allow the student to pick up something that was too fast.

Technology connects not only teachers with their students, but also teachers and parents.

Open channels of communication between the school and home is essential. The majority of
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parents would like to play an active role in their children’s education but might not know what

their children are studying or how to help. Parents being involved is vital to children’s

development and academic success (Crook). Technology can connect parents and teachers by

providing a glimpse into the education and progress of a child. If a child is doing poorly in

multiplication, for example, a parent might want to spend some time with the child reviewing

math facts. Another benefit of teachers and parents connecting is in regard to upcoming

assignments. If a parent is aware that his or her child has a big project coming due soon, the

parent could encourage the child and could help the child complete the steps before the deadline.

Children thrive when their parents take an active interest in them and in their success.

One major criticism of technology in education is that it isolates students. This need not

always be the case, however. The positive aspect of learning that focuses on technology is that it

doesn’t isolate each student looking at his or her open book. Students can work cooperatively

through different online assignments. In fact, students help each other more often in the

classroom when they are using technology (Walden University). By utilizing technology,

teachers can foster discussion groups, debates, and other collaborative activities (Lynch).

Teachers can assign students to post responses to other students’ ideas, for example. While

technology can isolate in some instances, in the right applications, it can stimulate interactions

and encourage group discussions (Lynch). Students who are shy and who might not feel brave

enough to speak up in class may find that posting a comment online is easier for them. Students

might actually expand their social circles after interacting with one another online.

Besides connecting, technology also impacts education by enhancing the learning. With

technology affecting almost every aspect of people’s lives, it is no surprise that technology is

being used in schools in many different ways, inside and outside the traditional classroom.
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Educators and software developers are constantly developing new ways to improve learning.

Teachers can use technology as a tool to bring learning alive. Software that simulates field trips

or science experiments are popular. (Lynch). Students could take virtual field trips and explore

places interactively instead of just reading about them and looking at a textbook photo.

Educator Mila Velimirovich-Holtz taught about pollinators during a virtual field trip with first-

and second-grade students from St. Peter Claver Catholic School at the Bell Museum. Souffle,

Anthony. anthony.souffle@startribune.com.

Technology can make learning come alive in ways that traditional teaching cannot.

Software programs can simulate natural or scientific processes such as how the planets move in

the universe or how a tornado develops and allow students to see them happen (Lynch). In the

absence of this type of simulation software, the student would never be able to observe these

phenomena (Lynch). Such simulations can stimulate the imagination and deepen the learning.

Simulation software helps students to understand concepts at a much deeper level.

Utilizing technology can facilitate and enhance student learning as it gets students excited

about learning. (Davis). Learning is more meaningful when students are engaged. Technology
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can help make learning fun. Students can play games to reinforce concepts they learned in the

traditional classroom setting. These games are not only fun, but they are beneficial in teaching

children how to solve problems. While they are playing a game, the students must come up with

solutions (Davis). Students might be more motivated to play a game than do a similar lesson on

paper.

One of the obvious positive contributions that technology lends to education is giving

instant feedback to the learner. Where a teacher has to navigate the responses of 28 children,

many online apps and programs can give instant feedback (Murphy). Teachers cannot instantly

give feedback individually to all 28 students, but technology can and does. Instant feedback

definitely enhances the learning process and spurs students to continue in their progress.

Therefore, technology can a provide personalized learning experience that would be difficult in

the traditional setting. There are many types of software that can give instant feedback to the

student on what he or she has learned. As the learner becomes more proficient, he or she can

track their progress. Being able to see their progress can keep them motivated and on-task

(Murphy). Educators can utilize similar technologies to motivate some reluctant learners.

Students are drawn to electronics, so technology might be more enticing to them.

Technology not only impacts education in connecting students and enhancing learning,

but also in providing valuable opportunities. One of the major goals of education is to prepare

students for the world. When teachers make technology an everyday part of a student’s routine,

the student will be better prepared for the future (Davis). Different technologies are always

coming out. It is vital that students acquire the requisite skills that ensure their adapting to and

utilizing new technologies correctly as they are released (Davis). If students go on to college, go

into the military, or enter the workforce, they will be expected to be knowledgeable about and
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comfortable with different technologies. Schools have to infuse many types of technologies to

provide students with the learning opportunities that will help them be successful in life.

For many years, the traditional educational scenario with its rigid schedules kept many

excluded from educational opportunities. Students had to attend class at a specific time and place

to go to pursue a college degree, for example. Today, technology affords the possibility of online

degrees (“How Technology Has Changed Education- Vista College”). People can enjoy the

flexibility that online courses offer. Work hours and family responsibilities kept many from

attending college, but the flexibility to attend class virtually, study, and complete their

coursework when their schedule permits, opens up opportunities to earn degrees for many today

(“How Technology Has Changed Education- Vista College”). Even if someone works variable

shifts, he or she could still complete courses at their convenience and take advantage of the

flexibility that online education offers.

For many years, special needs students did not have many of the educational

opportunities that other students did. Varying levels and types of handicapping conditions left

many with a subpar opportunity to learn for many years. Today, schools use many different types

of technologies to address special needs. Technological advances have bridged the gap and made

a quality education accessible for those who have visual or hearing impairments, or for those

whose conditions basically kept them housebound (“How Technology Has Changed Education-

Vista College”). Before such advances, every person had the same experiences and expectations

in school, leaving many who had physical impairments with no way to learn. Technological

advancements can also provide improved opportunities for students who have intellectual, social,

or developmental issues as well (“How Technology Has Changed Education- Vista College”).
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Every person has the right to an education, and thankfully technology has bridged the gap and

makes education much more accessible than it has ever been.

Textbooks are expensive, and schools cannot usually afford to purchase new ones each

year. The older the textbooks are, the more out of date they are. Students who attend less affluent

schools might not have the same access to up-to-date information that students from wealthier

districts would have without access to technology. Technology can provide a current education,

keeping students apprised of cutting edge discoveries and brand-new research (“How

Technology Has Changed Education- Vista College”). Technology gives students the

opportunity to stay informed of the ever-changing world.

There are some drawbacks from using technology too much, however. Students can

suffer from physical side effects. One notable danger is eye strain from frequent digital learning

(“The Impact of Virtual Learning on Children’s Vision”). Many students spend many hours

looking at screens. The blue light can strain a child’s eyes (“The Impact of Virtual Learning on

Children’s Vision”). Fortunately, there are glasses, screen filters, and also settings that can be

used to lessen this effect. As with everything, screen time should be used in moderation. Another

potential drawback from technology is lack of physical activity. This danger can be rectified if

children are in sports or other physical activities (“The Impact of Virtual Learning on Children’s

Vision”). Again, everything needs to be in moderation. Children and adults alike need to be

physically active to be healthy.

After the countrywide school closures in 2020, schools reacted and online learning was

substituted quickly, providing an education that would not have been possible without
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technology. Technology has and will continue to impact education in many ways- by connecting

students, by enhancing learning, and by providing valuable opportunities. As technology

continues to evolve, education may have a very different look in the years to come. Despite its

detractors, technology is not going anywhere and teachers will continue to seek ways to utilize it

to give students the best education possible.

Works Cited

Crook, Izaak. “How Technology Enables Parent Teacher Communication in 2020.”

AppInstitute, 6 Nov. 2019, appinstitute.com/parent-teacher-communication/.

Davis, Michael. “Positive and Negative Effects of Technology on Students- 2020 Guide.” Norse

Corp, 22 July 2020, norsecorp.com/positive-and-negative-effects-of-technology-on-

students/.

“How Technology Has Changed Education – Vista College.” Vista College, 14 May 2019,

www.vistacollege.edu/blog/resources/how-technology-has-changed-education/.

“How to Connect with Your Students Using Zoom.” The Art of Education University, 25 Mar.

2020, theartofeducation.edu/2020/03/25/how-to-connect-with-your-students-using-zoom/.

“The Impact of Virtual Learning on Children’s Vision.” FitnessGram by the Cooper Institute, 27

July 2020, fitnessgram.net/impact-of-virtual-learning-on-childrens-vision/.

Lynch, Matthew. “7 Ways Technology Is Impacting Modern Education- the Tech Edvocate.”

The Tech Edvocate, 24 July 2018, www.thetechedvocate.org/7-ways-technology-

impacting-modern-education/.

Murphy, Peter. “5 Ways Technology Impacts Learning Today.” ELearning Industry, 11 Dec.

2017, https://elearningindustry.com/5-ways-technology-impacts-learning-today.

Souffle, Anthony. Educator Mila Velimirovich-Holtz taught about pollinators during a virtual

field trip with first- and second-grade students from St. Peter Claver Catholic School at the

Bell Museum. Anthony.souffle@startribune.com.

Walden University. “Top 5 Benefits of Technology in the Classroom.” Walden University,

Walden University, 14 Apr. 2021, www.waldenu.edu/programs/education/resource/top-

five-benefits-of-technology-in-the-classroom.