Answer to Question #323524 in English for nash

Question

Critically discuss the benefits and dangers of using technology in teaching and learning in the Foundation Phase. Substantiate your answers with suitable practical examples.

Answer 1

Technology has transformed life as we know it, and the classroom looks much different than it did 50 or even 10 years ago.

The following are some of the benefits of technology in teaching and learning;

1. Creates a More Engaged Environment. You may think technology is just a distraction, but it can help encourage active participation in your classroom. Using devices like a computer, tablet, or other type of technology in your classroom can help turn traditionally dull subjects into interactive and fun activities.
2. Incorporates Different Learning Styles. Each child in your classroom is different, and it can be challenging to adjust your learning plan to fit every student. Fortunately, technology in education can help you modify your lessons. For example, Ryan Greene, an MS in Instructional Design and Technology graduate, chose online learning to earn his degree at Walden, and now applies his knowledge on integrating technology to help improve his classroom.
3. Improves Collaboration. Teachers have observed an increased frequency of students helping each other when they’re using technology in the classroom. Many technology-based tasks involve other aspects, and this leads to situations where students need to seek help from their peers or the teacher.

On the other hand, dangers associated with technology in teaching and learning includes;

1. Distracting Students. Smartphones have a bad reputation in classrooms and there have been strong cases for banning them in schools. Research suggests that during class time, when smartphones 42% of the time that students spent on their smartphones in the classroom, it was to text, tweet, or otherwise engage in social media rather than the lesson.
2. Less Face Time. No amount of technology in the classroom can replace talented, inspired teachers. As the adage goes, any teacher that can be replaced with a tech device probably deserves to be replaced.
3. Leads to Tech Disparity. Tech disparity refers to how much access students have to the necessary devices. The differences in access can be seen between school districts, with more affluent districts having greater resources, but it can also refer to differences among students in the same school, where students from wealthier families having greater access.