Educating through Electronics

99% of Ontario elementary and secondary school students have computer access in school (1)

79% of these students have computers integrated into their learning before entering grade 1 (1)

Although this integration into the education system offers some beneficial opportunities...

Technology in the classroom has the potential to negatively impact comprehension and concentration (2)

Where do we put our foot down?

2-3 second distractions that often occur when using technology can double the error rate for students working on a given task (4)

These disturbances on the screen impacts the readers understanding and level of concentration (2)

The act of searching gives students the misconception of their true knowledgable, making them think they are smarter than they truly are (3)

Students are relying on outsourced knowledge, creating an unclear gap between information and having an understanding of it (3)

This digital world that students live in today can increase the amount of cheating and access to inappropriate information available online (9)

Increased attention on technology in class has us missing out on real life connections (11)

Research has found that linear reading on paper is more beneficial than non-linear reading on screens (8)

This excessive use of technology can actually change the wiring of students brain, decreasing their overall memorization and imagination abilities (5)

On the other hand,

The addition of technology into education systems offers inclusivity, benefitting a larger number of students needs (7)

Limiting the number of worksheets printed due to computer access is also environmentally friendly (10)

Curriculum can be entertaining when using...

• BrainPOP
• Quizlet
• TumbleBooks
• Raz-Kids
• And other interactive websites and applications

Technology  is changing learning for students both for better and for worse

Work Cited

• (1) Chen, Bodong, et al. Digital LEarning in OntariO SChOOlS. 2013.
• (2) Rosenwald, Michael S. “Serious Reading Takes a Hit from Online Scanning and Skimming, Researchers Say.” Washington Post 2014.
• (3) Kaplan, Sarah. “How the Internet Makes You Think You’Re Smarter Than You Really Are.” Washington Post 2015.

Work Cited Continued

• (4) Von Pfetten, Verena. “Read This Story Without Distraction (can You?).” Fashion & Style 2016
• (5) DeLoatch, Pamela, et al. “The Four Negative Sides of Technology.” 2015.
• (6) FutureofW. 10 advantages and disadvantages of technology in education. 2015.

Work Cited Continued

• (7) Andrade, David, et al. The benefits of educational technology. 2016.
• (8) “Serious Reading Takes a Hit from Online Scanning and Skimming, Researchers Say.” Washington Post 2014.
• (9) admin. “The 6 pros & cons of using technology in your classroom.” Tips & Stories. Top Hat Blog, 2015.

Work Cited Continued

• (10) Smith, Paul. Great benefits of technology in education. EdTechReview, 2016
• (11) Anderssen, Erin. “Digital Overload: How We Are Seduced by Distraction.” 2 June 2016. Web. 2016.