Running head: EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGIES

The Importance of Educational Technologies and the Ethical Side of Them

Elizaveta Samsonova

Academic English C1

Irina Malova, Ph.D.

National University of Science and Technology “MISiS”

20.12.2020
Running head: EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGIES

     Stosic (2015) carried out a research on the importance of educational technology which used

to enhance students’ knowledge in modern times. While the implementation of technologies in

the studying process is growing every day, still there are some problems connected with

teachers’ perception of educational technologies which varies depending on their field and

computer illiteracy of both students and their teachers.

         There are two groups of teachers according to their attitude towards educational

technologies: older and younger teachers. While the older ones mostly do not intend to integrate

modern methods because of lack of supplementary education, motivation and misunderstanding

of its significance, younger teachers are aware of educational technologies’ advantages and

widely use them in their professional practice. These methods help teachers make lessons more

effective and interesting for students who also benefit from applying educational technologies.

For example, by interaction and feedback from teachers, students become more motivated to

study. Moreover, they can work independently from each other and monitor their own progress.

Nevertheless, there is no need to exclude the value of traditional methods as they are also

effective depending on the way of their usage.

         The author of this article described the impact of technology on learning and compared it

to the traditional methods of receiving knowledge. Thus, the implementation of educational

technologies is of vital importance. But its application still causes difficulties and requires

solutions. 
Running head: EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGIES

Parsons (2020) carried out a research regarding the influence of educational technologies

on the student data usage and application. He paid close attention to the ethical part of this issue

and studied the impact of technologies on people’s privacy and autonomy since the younger

generation tend to acquire knowledge online due to the emergence of flipped classrooms.

         Parsons referred to some research where the solutions of these ethical concerns were

offered. Due to different priorities in separate countries this matter should be considered from

various points of view. For example, the ethical approach in the United States is more “interest-

based” utilitarian while in the European Union it is rigorous enough because it is more aimed at

individuals rather than the majority. Regardless of the country, learning analytics may threaten

one’s privacy as the implementation of educational technologies influences student’s cognitive

processes. Parsons discussed ethical issues in the example of one student’s experience in a

flipped classroom. This student studied using the app where he completed his tasks and explored

a museum. The amount of data to which he gave access is great enough so learning analytics and

algorithms had sufficient information about his preferences and subsequently influenced his

actions. Although the impact was negligible, it affected this student’s autonomy. On the other

hand, learning analytics collects data and makes statistics in order to improve the educational

process in future.

         The author of this article discussed the application of educational technologies, the

ethical part of this problem and different points of view.

Running head: EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGIES

References

Parsons T. (2020). Ethics and educational technologies. Educational Technology Research and

Development. Retrieved from

https://doi.org/10.1007/s11423-020-09846-6

Stosic L. (2015). The importance of educational technology in teaching. International Journal of

Cognitive Research in Science Engineering and Education. Retrieved from

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/278848636_The_importance_of_educational_te

chnology_in_teaching