Distraction vs Academia
Recently in my Technology Specialist Course EEND 676 we have often discussed the benefits and challenges with technology in the classroom. As our society continues to evolve, and technology revolutionizes education in the classroom, we are still met with some thorns on a very beautiful rose.
In my personal opinion, I believe it would be difficult to argue how technology has not helped modern day classrooms. Students are able to connect and collaborate efficiently, they are able to research anything that piques their interest by a click of a button, and are able to have quick, if not, instant feedback.
Conversely, some of the issues that I believe we face when integrating technology in our 21st Century Classrooms would be the abundance of material in the abyss of the Internet that serves more as a distraction, than it does as academic use.
Students today are connected to some form of social media or technological device. Which is extremely distracting, especially for pupils that are beginning to develop into the man or woman they are going to become (I know, that takes years). Yet socially speaking, humans deeply care about the acceptance of their peers and others. Which is why social media is an unfortunate addition. While some schools utilize social media in the classroom, and some schools block particular websites, the walls of the classroom can only permit and prohibit so much. While schools continue to try and enforce policies of internet use, it will prove to be difficult as technology has proven to evolve at an exponential rate.
Additionally, what I believe is another distraction for our students: “click bait” information. They are assigned to research and collaborate on projects, and often do not know what is a credible source of information. But can we blame them? How many adults know how to cite credible information? Just because we read it on the internet, does not make it true (except I really am a French model).
So aside from the social media aspect, children are being flooded with unlimited amount of access to articles and information that may not necessarily be accurate, making it difficult for the student to properly organize and/or create work.
I also feel because students live in such an interactive and globally connected world the amount of information both academically and socially fed to them is overwhelming. According to an article in the Washington Post, it states “Teachers reported that students are distracted constantly. Their memory is highly disorganized. Recent assignments suggest a worsening at analytic reasoning. Further, they wonder if we are creating people who are unable to think well and clearly.”
In view of this, what is your personal opinion? Does the risk of distraction worry you about your students and their academic achievement? Do you think that the benefits of the internet outweigh the potential of distraction? Do you have any suggestions on how educators can combat this reality in and outside our classrooms? We need responsible and focused students to help guide them to achievement but how do we condition a beast already in motion?
Statistical photos found through:
Byland, David. (2016). Journal of Media Education. Licensed under Broadcast Media Association on https://campustechnology.com
Article used:
Porter, Alfonso. (2013, January 28). The Problem with Technology in Schools. Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com.
