Technology has impacted my learning experiences as a student tremendously. The ability to attain an infinite amount of information just at the fingertips has become such a convenient tool in and out of the classroom. The internet provides resources that are more accessible than it would have been in earlier times. There is no need to go to the library for a book when you can search up a PDF, or to write a dozen pages for an essay when you can just type and print it. It is convenient enough to save time, money, materials, etc. It has become a form of communications AND connections. You can study over the phone with a friend if you can’t meet in person, or you can contact the teacher if you have a question.
Growing up in the generation that I did, technology had made tasks much simpler. Personally, technology is very beneficial when studying for specific material. For example, Quizlet is a well-known site that allows you to make a practice test that includes flashcards to study from. People often share their tests and it is extremely helpful to have extra information that you may have missed while going over the material. Another thing that is extremely helpful is YouTube! Besides the many distractions that may take away from studying time, there are plenty of videos that can teach you a lesson just as if it were in person. Watching YouTube videos prepared me for my driving test, as well as my SATs. I have saved so much money from using online practice tests for the SAT. Though, technology is very distractful like I mentioned before. People-students specifically- have took advantage of the internet by using it during class when not supposed to. Students have the capability to search up an answer, or even cheat during a test. There have been plenty of times when I’d sit down to do homework, but then somehow end up on social media for an hour or so. It is very easy for one thing to lead to another. This would change my sleeping schedule, which later affected my ability to focus in class the next day. Some people say phones can be an addiction that you can’t put down. This seems to be true because there are distractions online that take time away from completing tasks. Nowadays, it is easy to say that most children know how to use a cellphone rather than an adult, because times were different. Younger generations can maneuver technology so discreetly, which can be a positive or negative tool to educate classrooms.
Everyone is able to make their own decisions and have their own opinions. But as the years go by, there is no denying that technology isn’t in some way helpful in the classroom. I believe it can be used to an advantage without being taken advantage of. If teachers shut out technology, then it will only make students want to use their phones more. Instead, technology should be encouraged in the classroom. There should be tech classes to teach those who are not familiar with certain programming systems. The use of technology has become a common skill that should be enforced when needed.
Life Long Learning 