K-12 Technology: Benefits and Drawbacks

I would have to say that I agree with the majority of Lynch's outlook on the technology rises in grade schools k-12. The article outlines technologies growth very well and gives its positives up front, but does not fail to mention the underlying down falls of technology based education, especially so young. In my personal opinion I strongly suggest that technology shared through screen media, internet, or e-books is ever changing and growing. It gives great opportunities to learning new material and getting questions answered. I think that in upper grade levels, especially high schools and even starting in middle schools, access to technology in classrooms is a great idea. Students at that age are going through a great learning period and have questions about everything. We have all become so accustomed to our phones, computers, tablets, ect. Screen media has become an addiction. To bring your own device of choice into the classroom at older ages might either intrigue students more with the ease of more hands on information and being able to physically look up a topic and get endless information right to their desks. It could also become a distraction. In younger ages such as elementary ages with statistics showing that children under two have become very adaptive to media screens, it will completely change their outlook on learning. Children and parents are becoming more and more reliant on screen media, TV. It is sometimes used as a soothing method when a child is upset, or it is playing in the background of their activity, or used to nap, or eating, as well as to distract them so that the adult may get work done. When they reach school they will be so far advanced with their technology levels that "old fashioned" books will be so much as frowned upon. Books will no longer keep the interest, the way to entice them with education will be through technology devices. Lynch states educators have argued "It is not about the delivery method but the content that matters…" I have to side with him on the fact that yes technology might be a fun and intriguing way to learn but books have been getting the job done until now, if the teachers keep the students engaged technology wont have too. 

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Another drawback that might come from technologies in the classroom at all ages would be the other applications on the devices that may cause an extreme distraction from not only class and learning but socializing with classmates. Some students keep their heads glued in their devices whether its games or social media sites. We all do it. I for one am lost without my phone and fine myself checking social media way to often through out the day even while other tasks are at hand. My thoughts on students having their own devices in the classroom to "learn" on would be taking the chance that students zone out of school work and zone into the other applications their phone has to offer. I think that is a major drawback. Another drawback would be that kids will socialize with their peers and educators less. If they have an answer on a topic in the classroom they will google it instead of communicate with an educator in the classroom while all the others overhear the question and answer which might better their understanding as well. Technology devices just take away from the bond of a teacher and student and the potential excitement they could have in the class, because they can merely look up an answer on their phones right away instead of group discussions. 

A benefit of the availability of technology in the classroom is that quiet students whom do not wish to ask questions but merely figure it out on their own, they will be able to with ease at the comfort of their desk as the topic is being discussed. Because the internet is changing and information is rapidly expanding it gives kids such an advancement in the learning of new things. When our parents were in school they were limited to what the books told them. Education and resources have been sky rocketing boosting education for students as the years progress. It is an amazing thing to see when you bring your research and answers home to your parents. They had such limited resource the answers to them were what the book said, now you have an endless list of resources through technology to explore and find new and improved answers. 

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I feel that students definitely love the technology advances but at the same time are most excited about being able to use their phones, tablets, computers in class instead of getting them taken by instructors. Students will appreciate the easy access to information on lessons in class. There are so many different types of students. Those that are more quiet in class, although they might have questions, can really advance with this. There is not need to raise your hand and talk in front of the class, when you have a question about something you can simply type it in the web and search what you are looking for with ease. Parents might be a little stressed. Depending on the age of their child they are worried about the responsibility the student hold bringing their expensive device to school.  Parents might not see the technology advances as positive as educators or students because as they were in school it was always books and teachers with limited internet resource. As for parents I think that it is just one more thing their child will hassle them with. For instance, seeing all the other kids at school with the latest technology advances with acquire a need for them to have it as well.