Technology represents an important aspect of human development and the use of it represents one way that people express their learning and creativity. The earliest technologies used by early humans were primitive tools, and now electronic and digital technology is the fastest developing industry in today’s world. In certain ways, computers can outperform humans, and many experts believe that a time will come when people and their technology will be almost intertwined, this possible future state is called “the singularity.”(Agarwel)

The impact of technology becoming a central aspect of our everyday life is that it pervades children’s lives as well - from our school systems to our drink machines in restaurants. Children these days will not know life without the huge impact of technology in their life, some teachers use technology more frequently than pencil and paper, books, or hands-on learning materials. Many schools today required 1-1 device programs, in order to inspire independent work as well as collaboration among students, the 1-1 device program allows each student they have one piece of technology, such as a computer or a Ipad. Is this new reliance on information technology (IT) a good thing, or is it destroying the role of the teacher? 

It is clear that technology affects the education system in today’s society, but this can benefit the students when teachers and technology coexist in a healthy and helpful way.  IT has obvious benefits for opening the world of information up to students and allowing them to collaborate and communicate. Technology can also help students who might learn differently, have a difficult time learning certain subjects, or require specific kinds of repetition to achieve mastery. In today’s world, it seems almost impossible to avoid the pervasiveness of technology, so why not use it to be constructive rather than disruptive?

 Today’s technology is changing constantly and also changing the people who use it, including teachers and the students in the education system. Some people argue that schools spend too much time and money on technology, instead of a more traditional learning systems. At the end of the day, the students are in school to learn and, when used wisely, the use of technology can be beneficial. One compelling example of the power of technology literacy is that it can even out the disparity in socio-economic status among students. Students in low income groups need technology skills to make the most of their educations, pursue higher education, and get good jobs later. But how do they get the money to get the technology they need? Grant are written everyday by school all over the world to bring in money for these kinds of programs. Students also need to have a clear understanding of how to navigate the internet and how to safely use digital communication and social media. 

Money has always an area of concern in education. Resources are limited and people fight for their areas of interest. Some stakeholders argue that the cost of technology in schools might jeopardize the core mission of getting students to meet learning benchmarks. Another concern is that low income families will not be able to afford the technology that the student needs to be successful in the classroom. In one study by two doctors, Brent Keltner and Randy L. Ross, did research on what the cost of technology was per year for each student. They picked a handful of schools throughout the country in which districts pay for the devices to conduct their research. The estimated cost in this study that, “the cost of educational technology programs at the eight schools to range from a low of $142 per student per year to a high of $490 per student per year.” (Keltner and Ross 68) The reason for the huge gap is the difference in class and economy, since they chose eight different school from a large range. The cost of technology can be seen as similar to funding a school club, like chess or debate, so there are costs and benefits that weight out. These researchers believe that technology is worth the cost, because of the difference it will make for the future of the students, both in higher education and job potential. 

I have personally seen technology used effectively in multiple age groups. As an education major, I conduct very detailed observations of both instruction and learning. The teacher’s critical role as the motivator and instructor is only enhanced by technology when used with thoughtfulness to further the student knowledge, open up new avenues for learning, or foster collaboration. I spent four weeks in two separate classroom, a middle school classroom and an elementary classroom. In both of the classrooms technology was very prevalent, from the teachers using it for lessons, to students having access to IPads. In both cases the teacher had full control over how and when the students were able to use their technology. In the elementary classroom the students were taught their lesson without the use of technology, but when let free to do “focused work” some of the students were able to use their IPads to practice and work on what they had just been taught. Each student had a certain time limit in each focus area of work, which included the Ipad time. During my observations in the middle school classroom, technology was used significantly more. Every lesson the teacher was teaching she had a slideshow or a video that was shown. At that age the more interactive the material the more the students will obtain and learn. The IPads in the middle school classroom would stay on the table for the whole lesson but had to be closed face down on the table to eliminate distractions. In both classrooms technology seemed to be used to benefit the students and their learning and not hinder it. The teacher’s use of IT benefits the students by allowing them to see more than just one example of how the material can be taught. For example, on one occasion, the teacher was presenting the mathematical concept of “greater than and less than” during a class period. The students were able to see it demonstrated on the whiteboard by the teacher, and then again with didactic materials. After the group instruction, the students broke up into groups, and the teacher encouraged them to pull out their iPads to practice the concept using a variety of math apps. This experience showed the students a multitude of examples, and allowed them to practice independently until they reached mastery. A key benefit of this approach is that students can individually or in groups advance at their own pace, while the teacher personally helps students who need extra support with learning the material. The use of technology provides opportunities for differentiated instruction and learning, by supporting students who learn at a slower or faster pace to work at their own comfort level. One example of a positive technique is that the math teacher in the previous story only allowed students to use their iPads a few times throughout the day, and only when relevant to the lesson. The iPads were put away the remainder of the time. She made it clear that it is a privilege that the teacher gives to the student to be able to have access to their iPads. This puts the teacher in control of the technology rather than the technology in control of the teacher. 

The main concern that most people have about technology use in the classroom is how the role of the teacher adjusts if technology becomes the main way to teach. In many diverse situations, technology has becoming an integrated aspect of a modern educational approach, but as children grow and learn, human interaction and relationships remain critically important. The role of the teacher can be seen as primarily to impart information and skills, but perhaps more important is the relationship between teacher and student. Students build a trust with their teachers, and this attachment creates motivation and interest in learning and overcoming challenges. The interaction and connection between teacher and student could get lost due to technology. There is evidence of this negative possibility in studying the impact of the smartphone on human relationships generally in society. The one-on-one interaction between student and teacher, the knowledge that an adult is committed to the student’s success and wellbeing, benefits the student in ways that are immeasurably more important than just the learning outcomes. This understanding allows teachers to use technology as a way to enhance learning, rather than as a tool for distancing themselves from their students.

 Lisa Nielson, a writer for the Wall Street Journal, explains that if students are taught how to use the internet, they can navigate information with more intelligence. Nielson states in her article, “Schools need to arm them with the skepticism and critical thinking they need to do that. And that requires that schools embrace digital devices as learning tools.” (Neilson, 2015) She makes the point that student at this age, meaning elementary school, still need the role of the teacher present in the classroom. Just like most things in this world, a person must be taught how to properly use tools and information in order to make them relevant. Sifting through all of the thousands of website and information provided on the internet is a skill that has to be taught. Students must have the guidance and support of a teacher, so they can be taught how to properly use the technology. Eliminating teacher roles would not benefit the students to do better. Instead, unfettered use of technology, with no instruction, would paralyze students with too much freedom and not enough control. 

Current research suggests that all students benefit from differentiated instruction and learning opportunities. This approach is especially important for students with learning disabilities. Technology can be a hub to help student who need an “alternative way of learning.” (Dobo, 2017). Nichole Dobo, US News journalist, writes about how the internet can serve as an effective strategy for supporting students who struggle in certain subjects or have learning challenges. Some digital resources allow the student to customize what subjects they are learning, and at what pace. Student are often more interested in what they are learning if they are able to choose the subject matter when the interest strikes them. A study was conducted with elementary students in the New York Public Schools, in which a group of public school leaders collaborated. In this study, “they decided to "personalize" learning for every child, which means that they tailored lessons to each student's needs, interests and learning pace.” (Dobo, 2017) The use of technology made it easier for students to feel successful and excited to learn. One of the many concerns people had about this study was whether students would pursue learning all the subject areas, or only focus on the ones that interested them. The key to success is providing freedom within limits. Students can alter and personalize each subject, but are still required to learn every subject. Again, this is where the presence of a teacher is key to making technology a positive rather than negative learning strategy. In this situation, the teacher was still present and was the main tool that students used for help. 

Technology is not perfect, just like humans are not perfect. With stubborn and impatient students technology can be a distraction and can affect the classroom environment and fluency. Technology sometimes fails and the teacher must change the plan and adapt to the problem. Students and teachers need to know how to use technology in order to fix the inevitable problems that crop up. On the other hand, teachers need to have a “plan b” in case technology fails, so that the learning outcome is reached. Teachers cannot be completely dependent on technology. Julia Kaus wrote that, “In today's classroom, teachers are pressed to make every minute count. If the teacher and students are not experienced with technology in the classroom, valuable time is often wasted on technical troubles.”(Kaus, 2017) Teachers can not just use technology to take up time during class time. Technology is more than just a tool anymore it is now a part of everyday teaching and every needs to educated in it to better the future.

Before technology was used to help teach the students it was just a device to learn from. In The Nature of Technology, written by Michael Clough, he explains that nowadays technology is not only taught in the classroom, but it is now being used explicitly as a teaching tool. Student were taught to type on a keyboard and to use the surf engine in the most effective way, such as what keywords to use when wanting to find information.  The nature of technology is clearly making the point that people react to technology in many different ways. Clough states, “Students must come to understand the nature of technology so they can make informed decisions.”(Clough, 209) This explains that if students are allowed to use technology in the classroom they must know how to use it and be taught the benefits and disadvantages it has to offer. Otherwise students will take advantage of this freedom and technology will take over our school systems.

We have to ask ourselves about how this will truthfully benefit everyone if some people do not have access to the same resources as others. Dianne Thomas, who is the author of a book called The Digital Divide: What Schools in Low Socioeconomic Areas Must Teach, says that we cannot let technology have such a huge role in education because it could negatively impact lower class students who do not have access to the technology that wealthier students do. She explains her research as stated, “The results of this body of research indicated that students in low socioeconomic areas do not have the same computer access, use, or skill level as those living in middle or upper class socioeconomic areas.” (Thomas 12) Dianne Thomas is proving that many low social structure students do not have access to the internet or technology in general in their homes. In the early years of school, requiring technology education means it must happen during the school day. Children should not be required to have tech homework, according to the findings. 

Technology can change the social status of low income students and the social structure in general. Mr. Brown a doctoral student, wrote in his doctoral dissertation that children of lower socio-economic status can benefit from learning how to use technology, and in the future this literacy will allow them to get more lucrative jobs. (Brown, 2005) Success in the workplace is now more dependent on how well one can use technology and how well you can sift through information. Students in poverty do not have the same resources as student in higher social structures do, but this research makes it easier to process and understand why students in poverty do not always get the best jobs. There are many factors, but the lack of technology literacy could be a factor. Technological ability and the access to technology will not only improve a student’s academic standing, but also could turn the whole class system around, Brown claims in his dissertation. He implies that the economically disadvantaged students will start to proceed upward if educated correctly in how to use technology. This upward mobility will benefit the whole social system and start to eliminate the split between the lower, middle and upper classes. Brown expresses the issue of the social class gap when he says, “Addressing these gaps in knowledge is vital in order to better understand the present and future significance of young people's technology use.”(Brown 8) Mainly he argues how technological savvy will benefit learning and social progress. Technology is an important step toward getting your desirable job or occupation.

Technology is here to stay in our society, and in our education system. The current elementary-aged students were born as digital natives, so they have never known a life without technology being part of every aspect of their days. Technology needs to be seen as an ever changing thing. It is important to recognize the ways in which technology can enhance education, especially in the hands of trained and talented teachers. Technology is a benefit by leveling the playing field for students of lower socio-economic status, by offering teachers an effective way to differentiate instruction, by encouraging students to work independently at their own pace, and by fostering an atmosphere of collaboration among students. Technology is a mainstay in today’s elementary classroom, and because of this teachers must embrace it and use it to their advantage, but maintain control over this important tool, so it doesn’t take over the classroom.
