Use of Technology

The article about technology provides an overview of the use of educational technology

within these school systems. There are many aspects to consider when analyzing access to

technology and the success from its usage. It must first be considered whether the reviewed

districts are able to supply pieces of technology to its students, teachers, and classrooms.

Technology access is granted to students in a variety of ways. Common pieces of student

technology can be laptops or iPads/tablets. Teachers can benefit from smartboards, doc cams,

projectors, etc. School districts that are able to provide personal technology to individual

students are able to expand on and supplement learning in different ways. There are many

interactive, individualized learning courses that students can access independently to foster

problem-solving, self-management, and research skills.

Independent work courses have also opened a world of different opportunities for

teenaged/young adult students. There are now high school equivalency courses that give students

a chance who, previous to the technology era, would have simply had no degree options

available to them. While technology can aid in education in countless ways, it must also be

closely monitored. Technology also introduces to students a large variety of new distractions.

Schools and classrooms will be most successful incorporating technology with clear guidelines

surrounding its use.

Schools that are unable to provide personal technology to each individual student may

unfortunately be at a disadvantage when it comes to learning. Students who do not have personal

technology access at home may struggle to complete online work assignments. Oftentimes,

schools will provide technology to these lower-income households on a circumstantial basis.

However, inconsistent access to technology still drives a gap between the achievement of these

students.

Similarly, lack of access to technology places students at a disadvantage when preparing

skills for the future. Career fields, secondary education, and most other fields require some use of

technology. A student who is not well-versed in technological skills is not as prepared or

qualified for roles involving technology.

With federal funding and changing education rules it can be hoped that the gap between

students with personal technology and students without will continue to decrease. Public schools

and other educational institutions all have their individual requirements for incorporating

technology in the classroom. However, the seemingly unanimous conclusion drawn about

technology in the classroom is that it is an invaluable resource and classrooms should continue to

strive for technologically diverse instructional strategies.