Does technology get in the way of studying or does it help?

Today, technology is interwoven into our daily lives. Like every other walk of life, technology has invaded the world of education and has changed the way we learn. What used to be a distant dream two decades ago is now happening and moving at neck-break speed. Today’s students are accustomed to using computers and phones paired with the internet. They use them all the time to look up the meaning of a word, write assignments, and sign up for online courses. But we all know that’s not the end of it. Technology has also ushered in many distractions for students in the form of social media platforms and other forms of escapism content. So we should use technology judiciously to make the best use of it without letting it get the better of us.

In that light, let us see the overall impact of technology on education.

Pros of Technology in the World of Education

There are several instances where technology makes learning more convenient. Let us have a look at some of them:

1. Immediate learning

With search engines in the picture, technology has made the tedious task of accessing information a lot easier. Students now have everything at their fingertips, and this has benefitted them in more than one way. Students no longer need to wait for the next class to get their doubts cleared from teachers. They can look up for solutions online or simply get their doubts cleared from online tutors and Primary homework help. They can also learn more about topics that have sparked their interest.

2. Easy access to information

Thanks to the benedictions that the technology world has bestowed upon us, students no longer have to leave their home and go to the nearest library to search for information. Today, they have access to many different forms of sources that include scholarly journals, dictionaries, encyclopedias, and articles with just a few clicks.

3. Personalized Learning

Students are dynamic, and each one has different learning needs. With the internet taking over traditional teaching methods, students can now learn in the way they are most comfortable because technology can adapt to every different learning technique. While some may be visual learners, others may learn better via aural lessons. Technology has welcomed collaborative learning methods too, which, when included in a class, can take up retention levels to 95%.

The benefits of technology are endless, but there are some limitations of technology too in how it affects students. While technology can make learning easier, it also takes away students’ ability to think critically. With all of the information presented right at their fingertips, they do not have to figure everything out for themselves. Below are a few ways in which technology can get in the way of studying.

Cons of Technology integrating with the Education World

1. Distraction to students

Technology can be as addicting as alcohol and drugs. A survey conducted on 1000 students in the United States showed that a student checks his/her smartphone every 3 minutes. The continuous pings can disrupt their flow of studying, thus being a detriment to their grades. Students also deviate to the wrong path and use technology to access online experience beyond just learning.

2. Disconnection from face-to-face relationships

Online interaction is very different from interacting with people face-to-face. As students get to hide behind the comfort of a screen and emojis, they tend to disconnect from social interactions, which can harm their mental health. Moreover, E-learning lacks the human touch of teachers, thus turning automated learning against the students.

3. Unreliable resources for learning

While technology has brought all information on our fingertips, some information can be misleading too. With every other person being able to contribute to Wikipedia, the internet has spread an endemic of misleading and false data. Social media platforms that the Gen Z uses as a news bulletin is often plagued with provoking (and falsified) information, that plays with the minds of today’s young learners.

The onus to use technology for the right reasons, therefore, rests on educators and parents. It is on them to strike a balance in using technology and traditional teaching methods to educate the youngsters to lead them towards a brighter future.

Source-https://medium.com/@john.cooper3030/does-technology-get-in-the-way-of-studying-or-does-it-help-f29379fd3882