Everywhere you go, teens seem to be glued to their phones, tablets, or computers. Technology is an addiction that does not seem to be going away any time soon. According to the Washington Post, teens can spend up to seven or more hours on their digital devices a day and the usage is still increasing. Not surprisingly enough, more than a third of all teenagers own a cellphone, ranging from a smart phone or just a plain old-school flip phone. But can spending all that time on their computers and smart devices be such a bad thing? Today’s easy access, always on world presents a wealth of opportunity for teens as students, but also challenges them to retain them essential humanity and unique personalities.
The internet is home to all the known knowledge throughout the world. With an estimated 634 million websites available (Royals) everything simply seems to be found by typing in the desired information in any popular search engines available and an answer will immediately pop up. As stated on Google, on average per day, a billion different items are searched on their search engine alone. With that type of search power, teenagers all over can be opened up to a new range of information that are sparking many controversies of its use in education.
Education boards and schools all over the country are now developing ways in which technology is used for educational purposes. Schools all over are beginning new ways of keeping up with this fast paced world by implementing iPads and SMART boards. As new technologies are placed, teachers are beginning to realize a trend of increased educational performance. This new wave of technology usage in schools gives hope to the American public of improved national education.
“A 2001 national study showed that 87% of faculty believes computer technology enhances student learning (qtd. In Lavin, Korte, Davies). The result of the study further pushes the notion of how important it is for school staff to understand the given technology so they can distribute the information effectively to their students. All the technology in the world will be ineffective if the teachers themselves are not passionate of their work. “Technology has the potential to transform the learning environment from passive to active and more subject to the control of the learner.” (qtd. In Lavin, Korte, Davies). Burbules and Callister agree...