In a rapidly changing world where we are becoming a more tech-dependent society, it is imperative that we teach students how to take advantage of technologies such as computers and tablets. By teaching students solely traditional techniques, we aren’t properly equipping them for further education, or the workforce. Technology and social media aren’t something to avoid, but rather are tools that should be embraced and utilized in order for students to advance their communication skills and be utilized to allow students to create their own learning patterns and learn at their own pace.  Classrooms should be formatted to include both face to face teaching by an educator and reversed classroom style learning. A blended learning environment is one that encompasses both traditional teaching techniques lead by the teacher while also utilizing technology as an additional tool. These methods allow students utilize their computers and tablets on their own, while still receiving guidance by knowledgeable resources such as instructors. Education techniques have been ever changing since the beginning of time and it is imperative that we continue to push forward. The implementation of a blended learning environment is beneficial for modern education, as it allows for individualized learning , a personal learning schedule, and thus prepares students for a situation post grad. 

There is no question that integrating technology into the classroom is neither an easy, nor cheap initiative. Funding from the state and federal level is necessary to make these movements work. In addition, it is crucial that funding to public schools is spread evenly in order to avoid creating a socioeconomic divide. In an article published in Education Weekly, Benjamin Herold stated that we currently spend $3 billion annually on inserting technology  into public education institutions. Many question whether or not it’s worth it to increase spending on technology for young students. A number of schools have placed some on the burden on families of students by requiring them to bring their own tablets or laptops to school. This has raised an issue for some families who simply can’t afford these increased expenses on school supplies. On the other hand, many school districts have received grants and donations of computers and tablets. For example, a number of public school districts in Connecticut had laptops donated by Boehringer Ingelheim, taking the burden completely off the students’ families and the government. It’s crucial to realize that if students don’t receive the necessary education and technology skills that they will struggle in higher education and in the workforce. The main purpose of education is to prepare students for post-grad life, whether that is is higher-education or the workforce. If we are unable to prioritize allocating funds to implement these resources in public schools, then we will be failing our students. 

As we focus on why it is so important to introduce students to technology so early in their learning, it begs the question “How can each student use technology in their own way?”. One of the biggest advantages of blending tech into the classroom is that it allows for differentiated learning. This means that, “Students with varied styles of learning find new ways to assimilate information and demonstrate learning.” (Herold) There’s a famous saying that says, “You can’t judge a fish on its ability to climb a tree”. Every student learns in different ways as well as hold different skills. That being said, technology will provide students with different outlets to demonstrate what they’ve learned as well as explore new skills they never knew they had. 

Technology can provide students new platforms to prove that they are learning and know new material. You can present a multi media project to demonstrate your understanding of the material, or take an online test that is more engaging and interactive for students. When I was in elementary school, I always studied and knew the material of a test, but when the test papers were passed out and it was time to begin, I would get such bad test anxiety that I would never do well on the test even though I knew everything on it. If there were different platforms for me to have displayed my learning than a simple pencil, I would have been able portray that I knew the material and get a good grade, rather than choking and failing a scantron test. These different platforms give students an opportunity to excel in school in different ways than before.  

 There is “great opportunity for teachers to expand their students’ horizons by drawing on the vast resources of the Internet to supplement classroom lectures and discussions” (Turnbridge). This means that we can draw from videos, prezis, whatever it may be to keep students more engaged and interested in the classroom so they continue to have a desire to learn.  Not only will technology allow students to learn more efficiently, but it will also allow teachers to teach in new ways that intrigue students while making it more varied than simple notes. A teacher could show notes on a subject and then find a video on YouTube to make it come to life for his/her students by giving a visual representation of real life examples of the material. These videos act as a substitute for teachers and also provide a physical representation of the topics students are learning.  One of the newly popular platforms for teachers to engage their students in the classroom, is Kahoot. This website allows teachers to make a quiz online, put the quiz on the screen, and then have students connect on their tablets or laptops to join the “game”. It also has a competitive edge that encourages students to learn and get attempt to get the right answers. Interactive online platforms act as tool for instructors to get students not only engaged, but actually excited and motivated about what they are learning. I have seen this first hand with the kids I babysit and nanny. They get disinterested in school when it’s repetitive worksheets and bookwork, but when I introduce them to learning websites such as ABCmouse.org, they are reengaged.

Technology doesn’t need to completely take over control of the class room to be successful. The main purpose of a blended classroom is utilizing all of the resources provided, teachers and technology, to enhance learning for students. For example, a “Flipped Classroom” where, “students watch instructional videos outside of class, using class time to practice new concepts while the instructor is there to help”, as stated in Education Weekly.  If students are allowed to learn the basic concepts outside of the classroom, then the students who need extra help or have questions are able to use class time to work out problems and ask questions instead of struggling on their own at home. In addition, when students are struggling at home, they are able to access notes and instructional videos again to revisit the notes and concepts previously taught. Technology is giving students access to learning every hour of every day, allowing students that need extra time to learn to catch up outside of the classroom, so they don’t fall behind their classmates. 

 Technology is not something that is meant to completely take over in person instruction. “Technology can be an invaluable tool for teachers to engage students and to enhance the learning process” (Linik). A computer with Internet access is almost like having a library that is with you at all times, it acts as a secondary resource to the instructor. It’s a tool to reference when working on projects or homework assignments. The amount of websites with instructional videos or games to practice concepts learned in class give students access to learning and practice beyond what their teacher can give them. Let’s say a teacher sends students home with a worksheet full of practice problems and the student completes the sheet, still not grasping the concept completely. With the help of a computer and Internet access, they can go online, search the subject they are currently studying, and find practice quizzes and/or interactive websites to teach them the concept step by step. This is to supplement the learning they are receiving while giving them extra review or help if they don’t fully understand the material but don’t have access to a teacher at home. In addition to the various websites outside of the specific school classroom, a majority of schools have websites specifically for their schools where their students can access notes, assignments, and announcements, posted by their teachers. The potential and opportunities provided by technology makes each student’s learning potential limitless.

There is no question that the aid and interaction provided by a teacher can never be replaced. “Technology can work only when it is deployed as a tool by a terrific, highly trained teacher….But only when such teachers are effectively trained to apply a specific application to teaching a particular topic to a particular set of students—only then does classroom technology really work.” (Pinker) This goes to say that no teacher can effectively use technology to teach their students, if they themselves aren’t educated themselves. We need to start allocating funds, time, and other resources, to start educating teachers and school administrators how to best use technology and effectively access all of the platforms available to them and their students. When we jump into bringing technology into school too quickly, it isn’t surprising when disaster strikes. “In recent years, some school have had difficult to downright disastrous tech roll-outs, often because somebody started picking tech devices before considering how they might be used to support learning goals” (Linik). This movement isn’t one that can be rushed into without careful consideration on which platforms to use, how to use them to reach learning targets, and educating teachers on how to use them.

Some critics of technology in class argue that the Internet will simply distract student and provide them with, “an ocean of often useless or misleading Internet content” (Corbis). The point is, the Internet isn’t going away, and neither is the ever growing “ocean” of Internet. This is why we need to start integrating it into education in early developmental years, so that students can learn how to analyze and identify what is true. This new information isn’t a problem that would only exist IF it’s introduced to the schooling system, but rather a problem that is currently present and we can either chose to teach students how to combat it now, or just let them try to figure it out on their own later down the road.

In an article posted in the New York Times, Susan Pinker referenced President Obama’s 2015 State of the Union address, in which he vowed to extend technology and open internet to every classroom and every community. This movement to integrate tech into schools is on a national scale. Many claim that this movement will cost taxpayers more money, or put a burden on families that they won’t be able to afford, but when we think big picture and look at the money lost when students won’t be able to get real jobs due to their lack of technological knowledge, there is no question that this is a movement that is worth it. In the long-run the pay off is also that we are sufficiently educating our students to the best we can.

In today’s job market, there is no job you will come across that you won’t need to use a computer or another form of technology or social media. Whether you’re a farmer trying to connect with buys, working for a marketing company designing marketing campaigns, or working with computer mechanics, technology will be a part of that. An article in the Wall street Journal presented a strong point that, “There’s more deep thought happening here than there is without technology, not less. It’s faster paced, but that’s the world these students are preparing for.” If we neglect the fact that every student is going to enter a tech-dependent job market, then we will fail as a whole as a society with ill prepared workers. 

Technology is not something that’s going away, so we must embrace it and adapt to it. We must educate our educators before introducing it to students if we truly want technology in the classroom to succeed. Teachers must learn to use the Internet, not as a replacement to their teachings, but rather an aid to help themselves and their students to get the most out of their education. By ignoring the advancements society is seeing today we are choosing to ill prepare students and send them into a world where they don’t know how to function. Every student will use technology outside of the classroom, whether it’s to use social media, online shop, or watch funny cat videos, but by integrating it into the classroom we are introducing them to an endless outlet of information and tools such as Microsoft Office to utilize in everyday life. We can teach students to use  technology for more than just fun but for enrichment and never ending education. By creating an environment where education and technology can work hand and hand, students can enrich their education in the way and at the pace that works best for them, and be amply prepared for life after primary education.
