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Brittnee Pineda
Mrs. Tyree
English III, Per. 1
27 January 2014
Beneficial Technology in the Classroom
Technology today has changed the world as we know it; medicine, entertainment,
warfare, communication and most effectively education. The incorporation of technology in the
classroom has benefitted the students of the modern day by giving them an easier way to access
educational sources in order to increase their knowledge of the subjects within the classroom and
the ones without.
Before technology came into the classroom materials such as notebook paper,
chalkboards, hardcover books, and workbooks for the students to practice different subjects were
used in the old school classroom. Many of the daily lessons were taught by the basic hands-on
method. The methods of one teacher would have to be understood by all students in the non-
technology classroom. Now, however, with the tools we have these days, methods and a variety
of subjects can be taught from all over the world by different professors/teachers.
Technology in the classroom is widely incorporated in schools across the world. New
technologies now allow students to work independently; as a result, they are better able to
participate in the regular classroom. (Kennedy and Lankutis). The multimedia classrooms
mixed with a multiage classroom is highly affective. The multimedia classroom is a new form
of a classroom with increased integration of instructional technology to enhance students
learning effectiveness.(Deng and Zhang). The use of the multiage classroom encourages
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students to cooperate with other students; no matter the age and/or abilities (Kennedy and
Lankutis). Integrating technology with the curriculum fosters creativity, which, in turn, can lead
to classrooms where engagement is nourished and learning enhanced.(Goddard)
In order to prove this theory, here is an example from Mr. Lawrence, a teacher who is
incorporating technology into his students daily lives. Mr. Lawrence is a first year eighth grade
teacher who is having his students use digitized primary sources. (OBrien) His eighth grade
students are to make a Wiki account on the Internet. (OBrien) This Wiki account allows the
students to access a discussion board to which groups of students, and individual students, can
post questions and communicate with other in the class, including Mr. Lawrence himself.
(OBrien) The Wiki account not only helps the students but also Mr. Lawrence by making him
better able to asses group work and track the evolution of the students ability to interpret
primary sources over 7 units by simply referring back to previous post from the past. (OBrien)
Computers make learning easier due to the existence of large storage and countless
search engines, knowledge of all sorts is easy to grasp. There are many tools of technology
students can use such as Geographic Systems (GIS) programs, presentation tools, online search
engines, tutorials and much more. (OBrien) An electric encyclopedia can hold, on one disk, 8.7
million works, 15,000 pictures and 60 minutes of audio. (Clendenin) . Although computers do
help students gain knowledge kinetic games can also. According to source H, Kinetic games
can be employed to teach multitasking, help students express and communicate their emotions,
increase their physical activity as well as improve motor skills, hone communication skills and
much more. For the students who have a problem going into class telecommunication
technologies such as audio conferencing, videoconferencing, computer conferencing, and even
satellite bring the students into the classroom when it is not possible (Duhaney). Therefore, the
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location and time is no longer serving as reasons for missing materials (Duhaney). With the
availability of these technologies, learning is no longer encapsulated by time, place, and age but
has become a pervasive activity and attitude that continues throughout life and is supported by
all segments of society (Duhaney). These skills students gain from using a computer, gives them
a great feeling of accomplishment (Clendenin). Studies have shown that childrens self-esteem
reflects on their academic performance (Page). The confidence boost a student receives from
knowing how to use a computer; students will grasp more concepts and will actually want to
learn more thus improving a students outcome in his or hers academic abilities (DiBlasi).
Science classes are known for the dissecting studies of animals such as frogs, humans and
learning molecular structures. Leap motion is a type of technology that allows users to enable
their PCs to become touch screens with the accuracy to track 1/100
th
of a millimeter (DiBlasi).
This input device has apps that are helpful to these science classes. Frog dissection eliminates
the need for specimens. With this app, users can dissect frogs using a 3D display (DiBlasi). As
if dissecting frogs in a 3D visual is not enough, what about a studying and dissecting a human
skull; with the Leap Motions, Cyber Science Motion Skull is an app that lets students dissect
and study a human skull (Diblasi). In geography class, Leap motion has an app that allows
users to explore the earth or universe using pinching and zooming (DiBlasi). Learning about the
molecular structure of DNA? In Leap Motion, an app, Molecules, enables students to see 3D
versions of various molecules.(DiBlasi). The integration of telecommunication and computer
technologies is expanding the classroom beyond the four walls (Duhaney).
Technology may affect a regular student but what about the special needs students?
Special educators have long known that technology can come close to working miracles in
bringing students with physical and learning disabilities into the general education curriculum.
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Kennedy and Lankutis). Whether it is recess or class time, special needs students are distant from
others due to their physical or mental disabilities. The experience of Emily, a student who has
cerebral palsy and incorporates technology in the classroom, shows how useful and life changing
technology usage can be. By depending upon technology, Emily is able to lessen physical
borders and help her integrate into the general curriculum (Kennedy and Lankutis). When
studying English in the classroom, Emily uses two types of technology which are Intellitalk and
Don Johnstons Co: Writer SmartApplet. Intellitalk is a text-to-speech word processing program
that allows Emily to see and hear what she writes (Kennedy and Lankutis). The Don Johnstons
Co: Writer Smart Applet is a word prediction software for a portable memory enhanced
keyboard called the Apple-Smart. During math studies, Emily enters data into her Intellitools
MathPad, which is a type of math word processor, to complete part of a chapter test (Kennedy
and Lankutis). On account of Emily using her resources, she is no longer physically isolated in
the computer station in the back of class waiting for instructions of her own.
Learning, for me, has always been taught by the methods of hands-on and visual
techniques. Many people would say that technology does not offer hands-on learning, but I beg
to differ. Typing my ideas, notes, stories, or essays, is just as helpful as writing them down. I
think while I type; using all the words and memories that come to mind, while occasionally
looking at the screen. When I do not understand a new math or physics concept, I simply go to a
well known search engine and type in whatever questions I have. Many videos, websites or
anything relative to what I am looking for, has a link to see information. This just goes to show
how easy, resourceful, and accessible learning of all types, can be with the use of technology.
Different types of technology from computers to hand held tablets make learning, researching
and communicating, fast and easy. Applications for all devices such as Word Processor, Google
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widgets, AccuWeather.com widget, games and basically whatever you need for entertainment or
educational purposes are accessible by any devices in todays modern technology. I personally
use my smart phone for school, weather updates, entertainment, pictures, videos, communication
purposes and am still able to access all that from a computer or my handheld tablet. Taking notes
in class on my tablet is easier and faster. I like the fact that all my notes are organized in a folder
that I can go back to and print or make edits. Another function I appreciate from my android
smart phone and my tablet is how the technologies have S-Beam. The S-Beam action makes
transferring videos, pictures or documents as easy as touching each other.
The conclusion of whether or not technology in the classroom helps improve the
students outcome (in my view) is yes and no. Yes, due to the reason for easy access of sources,
being able to learn classroom subjects without being in the classroom, and being a material that
can be used in many different ways for educational purposes. Hardcover books, chalkboards,
workbooks and all old school materials can be helpful just as the now-a-day technology. The
difference between the two types of materials is how easy sources are accessible. Why have
many sources to learn one thing, when all a student or anyone for that matter, only needs one that
is able to have all sources? That is where technology is helpful. The reason why I disagree is
based upon the actions and knowledge of the students in the classroom. A student, of any kind,
must be able, willing and self motivated to do in class. Letting a student be able to use a
computer on his or hers homework or research paper, does not mean the student will actually do
the work. Resources of any kind are available and tangible to everyone in todays world. The
faction of the matter is whether or someone is going to make use of them. Although technology
is amazingly helpful, it can be a distraction. Social media, music apps, games and much more,
make focusing on a certain task difficult. In that case, technology can improve a students
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outcome in the classroom but it is up to the student to use the technology effectively and
responsibly.
This is great. A few minor points end punctuation follows the parentheses, even if you are
citing a quotation. And no extra spaces between paragraphs.
Content: 40/40; Organization: 30/30; Grammar: 19/20; MLA: 8/10
Grade: 97



















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Works Cited Rough Draft
Ash, Katie. Information Technology; Digital Quality of Life." Education Week, 8 Oct. 2008.
Web. 17 Jan 2014.
Clendenin, John L. Bringing technology to the classroom. Public Utilities Fortnightly, 20 Dec.
1990. Web. 14 Jan 2014.
DiBlasi, Howie. Technology is changing the world and our classrooms. Techniques, Nov.-Dec. 2013.
Web. 14 Jan 2014.
Deng, Heping and Shouhong Zhang. What is the effectiveness of a multimedia classroom?
International Journal of Instructional Media, 2007. Web. 14 Jan. 2014.
Duhaney, Devon C. Technology and the Educational Process: Transforming Classroom
Activities. International Journal of Instructional Media, 2000. Web. 14 Jan. 2014.
Goddard, Mark. What do we do with these computers? Reflections on technology in the
classroom. Journal of Research on Technology In Education, 2002. Web. 15 Jan. 2014.
Kennedy, Kirsten and Terry Lankutis. Assistive technology and the multiage classroom: these tips
and technologies from the special needs classroom can help teachers reach struggling
students. Technologies & Learning, 2002 Mar. Web. 15 Jan. 2014.
OBrien, Joseph. Technology: an integral part of students learning and lives. Social
Education, 2008 Nov-Dec. Web. 15 Jan. 2014.
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Page, Michael S. Technology-enriched classrooms: effects on students of low socioeconomic
status. Journal of Research on Technology in Education, 2002. Web. 14 Jan 2014.