STUDENT NUMBER : 18257658

NAME : KHUMOETSILE DESIREE

SURNAME : PHATUDI

MODULE CODE AND NUMBER : ENG1503

UNIQUE NUMBER : 645537

ASSIGNMENT NUMBER : 2

ASSIGNMENT TITLE : RESEARCH-BASED ESSAY

DUE DATE : 13 APRIL 2023

ENG1503 | Research-Based Essay
TABLE OF CONTENTS

QUESTION 1

TEXT A

A study by Pence (2021) states that the use of technology affects students learning
in many ways. Technology use in education has grown throughout the years.
Currently, higher education institutions are going through a surge of technology use
since the normal way of teaching and learning has changed drastically due to the
Covid-19 pandemic. However, we need to take into considerations the positive and
negative effects that comes with technology use in education, especially with
students learning.

Adapted from: https://scholarworks.calstate.edu/downloads/pg15bm24g.

Accessed on 2022, May 19.

Instruction: Using research, discuss TWO (2) positive and TWO (2) negatives effects
how technology use in education affects students learning. Your response should
include a minimum of FIVE (5) credible sources.

ENG1503 | Research-Based Essay
Technology has had a significant impact on the way education is delivered, and this
impact has been both positive and negative, as stated by Pence (2021. In this essay,
two positive and two negative effects of technology use in education on student
learning are analysed, based on five credible sources.

One positive impact of technology use in education is that it provides students with
access to a wider range of resources. According to Mawson (2017), technology
enables students to access a wealth of educational materials beyond the traditional
textbooks, notes, or lectures. Students can research topics more extensively and
independently, gaining a deeper understanding of concepts. They can access course
material, enter discussions, and complete assignments from anywhere, anytime.
This flexibility and access to a variety of online resources, including videos, images,
and simulation tools, can enhance student performance positively.

Another positive impact of technology use in education is that it facilitates blended

and hybrid learning. According to Vander Ark (2021), blended learning combines
face-to-face teaching and online methods, while hybrid learning uses both in-person
and online approaches interchangeably. These approaches allow for personalized
learning, student-centeredness, and more interactive modes of teaching, fostering
better engagement and understanding. Online resources and tools can complement
traditional classroom instruction, keeping students interested, motivated, and
challenged. As a result, technology in education can enhance the quality of learning
and the delivery of instruction positively.

However, technology use in education also has some negative impacts on student
learning. One negative impact is that it can lead to distractions and loss of focus. As
stated by Rosen, Carrier, and Cheever (2013), technology can interfere with
attention during class, leading to poor concentration and academic performance.
Social media, messaging, and games on mobile devices, for example, can
divert students’ attention from learning, leading to lower grades and poor
understanding of concepts. Therefore, it is essential to balance the use of technology
with clear guidelines and boundaries to ensure that it serves the intended purpose of
improving student learning.

Another negative impact of technology use in education is that it can lead to cheating
and plagiarism. According to Kearney, Schuck, Burden, and Aubusson (2012),
technology can enable students to access and copy information more easily, leading
to academic dishonesty. With access to online sources, students can easily copy
and paste information into their assignments without proper citation, resulting in
plagiarism. Online assessment tools and resources, such as proctoring software and
websites for sharing answers and information, can also support cheating. Therefore,
educators need to provide adequate guidance and ensure that students understand
the consequences of academic dishonesty to avoid such negative impacts.

In conclusion, technology use in education has both positive and negative impacts
on student learning. Positive impacts include access to a wider range of resources
and blended and hybrid learning, leading to personalized learning, student-
centeredness, and more interactive modes of teaching. However, negative impacts
include distractions and loss of focus, leading to poor concentration and academic
performance, as well as cheating and plagiarism. To ensure that the use of

ENG1503 | Research-Based Essay
technology supports positive learning outcomes while minimizing negative impacts,
educators need to balance its use with clear guidelines and boundaries while
providing adequate guidance, as stated by the credible sources examined in this
essay.

ENG1503 | Research-Based Essay