Compare and contrast the advantages of integrating technology into the curriculum.

Compose three (3) pros

Integrating technology into the curriculum is an absolute necessity of the present time. Due to

COVID-19 breakout, schools and educators were/are required to use technology to facilitate

remote learning. I believe that technology plays a vital role in the education system and

therefore, most of the schools and educators are embracing technology these days. Like anything

else, technology has its advantages and disadvantages. I would like to highlight some positives

and negatives of integrating technology into the curriculum, drew on my personal experiences

and course readings.

Three advantages of integrating technology

Individualized instructions and feedback

Firstly, technology makes it possible for teachers and students to adapt individualized learning

approach. I strongly believe that each student is different and learns differently. Hence, it is very

important to provide students individualized instructions and feedback. Luckily technology

makes it easier by providing online platforms that can automatically adapt to students' learning

needs are increasing in prevalence (SRI Education, 2018). I usually use different online

platforms such as google classroom and google quick draw to provide my students

individualized instructions and feedback. Technology plays a key role to help teachers

personalize instruction effectively (Henson,2012).

Access to high quality resources and information

Secondly, technology is phenomenal in providing tons of useful resources and information to

benefit both teaching and learning. For example, YouTube has tons of educational channels and

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 videos for teachers and learners. I have personally used google expedition app for my students to

experience virtual tours to various art galleries and museums, which won't be possible without

technology. So, we cannot ignore how amazingly technology serves and supports learning ant

teaching in so many ways.

Encourages independent learning

Thirdly, technology allows students to own their learning by being independent learners. Young

generation is quite attached to the use of technology and integrating technology to their learning

results in increased students’ engagement, involvement and participation. Technology also helps

shy and reserved students to participate, who are usually hesitant to ask or tell. For example, if

we are learning about “cubism”, I will ask my students to conduct research on cubism

beforehand, and believe me sometimes my students will bring new information and it makes me

happy to see that my students have access to unlimited information and they are not only limited

to my knowledge. This way they own their learning and the information is embedded in their

memory.

Moreover, technology has countless advantages; classrooms that are equipped with technology

enhances student’s learning by expanding course activities, keeping students engaged,

encouraging self-paced learning, stimulating natural curiosity, introducing interactive games and

allowing students to collaborate beyond the classroom boundaries. However, it also has some

disadvantages.

Three disadvantages of technology

Technology can be a distraction

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 Devices can be a big-time source of distraction in a classroom, especially if devices or internet is

not restricted to access social media and non-educational online games which are purely for

entertainment. Therefore, teachers and school administration have to focus on taking appropriate

restrictive measures on use of technology in the classroom such as self-contained edtech program

and constant monitoring. I have some unmotivated learners who always try to misemploy the use

technology and I have to keep an eye on them throughout the class time.

Limits direct social interaction

Second big concern is that technology limit students to experience direct social interactions.

Students are not usually obliged to communicate orally and associate with their peers and

teachers. I believe that social interaction is an essential life skill for students to develop to be

successful in their future and to overcome this, teacher should introduce activities that require

verbal communication and interaction. For example, group activities, oral discussions, verbal

presentation and any other activity that involves direct social association. In my classroom we

usually do post project activity, where each student is required to make a comment on everyone's

artwork to share their personal view verbally. By creating assignments in class that use both

technological tools as well as oral presentations and group collaboration, students will learn to be

dynamic in how they learn and interact with others (top hat staff, 2021).

Excessive screen time

Another drawback of technology is excessive exposure to screen, due to which children are

overstimulated and developing health conditions such as myopia, or nearsightedness which are

eye sight related conditions and are diagnosed in children who spent too much time in front of

screens. A study published in the journal PLOS One finds school-aged children who spent seven

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 hours or more a week using computers or mobile video games tripled their risk for myopia, or

nearsightedness (CBS News, 2017). As educators, it is our responsibility to ensure that our

students are using technology in a reasonable way to minimize negative side effects.

More and more schools are using screens in the classroom. While technology is often an asset for

many kids, the health issues related to too much screen time, like obesity, are well understood.

For parents of kids with ADHD and other learning differences, screens pose additional problems.

They can adversely affect brain development, as children spend less time playing or engaging in

physical activity. Getting away from screens often improves focus and cognitive ability. (Brain

Balance, n.d).

Conclusion

In sum, technology can be a distraction and health concern for students but we need to

successfully set the limits and teach our students the right way of using technology that will

benefit their learning. The benefits of technology are countless and restricting technology in

schools is a loss of students, teachers, and the overall educational system. In fact, schools should

think about introducing a class to teach students the pros and cons of technology and how to

safely use technology to support learning. School administrators and districts should also think

about providing workshops for teachers to get comfortable with the use of technology. The

bottom line is that use of technology with guided instructions and supervision is beneficial for

learning and we cannot overlook it. According to Henson (2012) “[technology] is really helping

our students be fully engaged in a lifelong pursuit of learning, and it is providing our teachers

with the tools and time to be the mentors they always dreamed they could be”.

References

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 Brain Balance. (n.d). Tips for Managing Too Much Screen Time in Schools. Brain Balance.

Retrieved from https://www.brainbalancecenters.com/blog/tips-managing-much-screen-time-

school

CBS News. (2017, December 27). Too much screen time may be damaging children's eyesight.

CBS News. Retrieved from https://www.cbsnews.com/news/digital-devices-screen-time

damaging-childrens-eyes-vision/

Henson, A. (2012, May 1). Why Technology is Essential in Curriculum and Content Alignment.

Retrieved from http://www.internetatschools.com/Articles/Editorial/Features/Why-Technology-

Is-Essential-in-Curriculum-and-Content-Alignment-5bAvailable-Full-Text2c-Free5d-82253.aspx

SRI Education. (2018, November). Using Technology to Personalize Learning in K–12 Schools.

Retrieved from https://www.sri.com/wp-content/uploads/pdf/using-technology-personalize-

learning-k-12-schools.pdf

Top hat staff. (2021, February 4). 6 pros and cons of the technology in the classroom in 2021.

Top hat. Retrieved from https://tophat.com/blog/technology-in-the-classroom-pros-and-cons/

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