​Everything around us is all about technology. It is all about who has the greatest and latest devices. As the world becomes increasingly based on technology, it has a major effect on things around us such as education. From laptops, to computers, to even tablets, massive amounts of information are available at our fingertips. The newer generations are greatly affected by today’s society. Back in the day, many of us would receive books, toys, or the newest doll or toy car. Looking at today, Christmas presents have turned into iPads or computers and birthday presents have turned into Kindles, phones, and even possibly TVs. Things such as iPads have taken over more than just the education system. With so many advances in technology, having such devices have become the norm. All of these items, play a vital role in today’s education system. Many people would argue that technology has a negative influence on education; however, the advantages greatly outweigh the consequences.

Technology has expanded education and therefore has expanded our knowledge. The modern world has allowed for transitions to be made in the classroom. Integrating technology into the classroom allows for a diverse learning style due to the number of resources available. Projector screens have replaced Whiteboards and blackboards. Teachers are beginning to use handheld boards that allows a written to be presented on the screen all with a click of a button. New computer software implemented in the classroom also allows for students to interact indirectly. For example, in many college lecture halls, professors use clickers to answer questions throughout the class and even get a quick measure of the attendance. The professor can also get insight on how well the class performed on the question to see if that topic needs further discussion. Moreover, online homework sites allow students to turn in assignments with more convenience and diminish the need of printing handouts or notes. Students can use blogs to communicate with each other. Technology also allows for better student teacher communications. Students can communicate with their peers, teachers, and any others via e-mail or even direct message. Students can engage with one another, do presentations, and even work in groups through the many online tools and apps. Moreover, it allows students to learn at their own pace by receiving individualized instruction from supplemental teaching. Technology around the classroom will help one learn and grow as they prepare to enter the real world because it allows for one to become independent and proficient and allows one to think critically.

Internet, available through almost all technology is more than just a way to keep in touch with people. 

The Internet is the source of a wide variety of resources and has replaced simple mediums such as books. The number and variety of books available on the internet is nothing but convenient. Not only does it limit trips to the library, but also saves time. Moreover, technology allows for feasible access to videos and podcast such as like Khan Academy and Bozeman Science. Videos like these can be a learning instrument for students. Because it is all around us, technology allows students to learn anywhere and everywhere. Magher claims , “One of the biggest advantages of laptops is that they allow students to access information wherever they can get an Internet connection. With more places offering free Wi-Fi, getting an Internet connection is easier than ever. This accessibility allows students to study whenever they have the time -- no matter where they are. Greater access to notes and educational tools like education programs and websites can improve student performance in the classroom.”

 According to the Magher,  Laptops benefit students in the classroom in many ways. The number of ways Magher says laptops benefit students in the classroom quite a bit. Mahger says laptops make note taking more efficient, creates more options for writing and editing, More facilities for group work, and helps with accessibility and connectivity.”

Using laptops in the classroom can help prepare you for the real world. Some say the world is becoming all technology. If the world is becoming all technology,t that keans it is important that your kid knows how to work technology well. According to Hamel, “Computer skills are becoming a fundamental part of education. Students that learn to type efficiently and use basic computer functions such as word processing, email and web browsing have a significant advantage over students that have no knowledge of computers. Allowing laptops in the classroom reinforces computer skills and can allow students to have contact with computers without having them take a class geared specifically toward learning computer skills. Using laptops for the purpose of note taking can be very beneficial, since a strong typist can record notes much faster than writing by hand, which can force students to learn to type quickly and accurately.”

Most people may say or claim cell phones are the biggest reason why GPAs are continuing to fall , but not according to Katherine Moller. According to Moller, having cell phones in the classroom is a good idea after all. “As an avid iPhone user, I plead for our teachers to accept these wonderful electronic tools for the good they can do, as opposed to the disasters that teachers believe they are. Cell phones should be allowed in classrooms because they’re a useful resource and tool for the on-the-go student ” Moller states. She is also claiming that students are using there phones for positive reasons. According to Moller, “ Many students use their cell phones to record assignments and organize their days or weekends; this is very helpful in an educational setting. The upside to having your planner on your phone is that you always have your phone, whereas we have all seen people forget their planners. This seems like such a simple easy and effective tool you can use on your cell phone, but if teachers don’t let you have them out then how are you able to use such an awesome resource? A study by scientists in Georgia showed that the effect of using a cell phone as a resource in the classroom and comes out with a positive result. People who were allowed to use their phones as a planner were more likely to record it and complete it than someone who was not.” For much of the time people spend on time debating against cell use in the classroom, they should also view the positive impacts instead of all the negative. According to Cheryl Cirelli, cell phones help with instant communication, learning aids, memory aids, calendars and voice notes. The author Cirelli says, “The voice recording feature of cell phones can be beneficial to students who would like a quick way to keep track of what they need to do. After all, students may not always have immediate access to a notepad, so using a cell phone to "jot down" important information can be helpful.”

With all the positive impacts technology has in the classroom, we still have to account for the few negative impacts technology has in the classroom.  According to Laptops In The Classroom, While there are many great aspects of implementing laptops in the classroom to aid student learning, there is also great concern that laptops are a source of students not learning to their fullest potential. Laptops can be a source for students multitasking, low critical thinking skills, and low overall class performance. .”

Other learning instruments can include apps available on the device. As the years go by, more apps are being made for anyone starting from a toddler all the way up to an elder. Toddlers and little children can learn their alphabet and even simple math skills through a game app. Technology can also motivate and make younger kids more eager to learn. Teenagers can uses apps help prepare them for the SAT or ACT. Learning devices can help a student achieve academic success. A recent study showed students went up 11 percentiles on an assessment just from the use of apps for three months (Education Research). Technology has made things simple and on the go. It allows for easy access with just a click of a button. Also According to Hamel, A third benefit of using laptops in the classroom is that they can help students stay organized and remember school work. When you have six or more classes, it is easy to misplace a worksheet or forget about an assignment. If teachers distribute assignments digitally, students can easily review their work all in one place. Digital copies of work also help students by making it easy to edit or change work. This can be a benefit for teachers as well: having students turn work in via email or another digital system is easier than collecting and sorting through stacks of physical paper. What's more, digital assignments allow students that have to miss school to turn in work remotely, reducing the inequity of allowing students extensions on assignments for missing class. Additionally, typewritten assignments are much easier to read than those written by hand.”

​From smartphones, and laptops all the way to readers, technology benefits the educational world in many ways. Technology places students in a real world environment, as the world becomes more technology dependent and it gives people access to the Web, which holds many informational sites, videos, visuals, etc. Technology allows for easy access to books and videos.  In conclusion, technology is a way to make learning more meaningful yet fun. It makes it easier for people to learn and connect with one another. If used correctly, technology is said to allow people can “thrive in a digital world” and allows them to “learn how to sort through unlimited information sources” (Does Technology Belong in A Classroom). With continuing advances, it can be said that technology will continue to expand the education and build out future.  
