The Negatives of Technology in Education

& How To Overcome Them

Natalie Clark
Western Oregon University







The use of technology can be very motivating for children but is it killing their ability
to use their imaginations and be creative? According the Huffington post "Children now rely on
technology for the majority of their play, grossly limiting challenges to their creativity and
imaginations, as well as limiting necessary challenges to their bodies to achieve optimal sensory
and motor development (Rowan, 2013)."
If you walked into any classroom throughout the United States today, it would have a
much different appearance than it did over 100 years ago. In 1890, the main focal teaching point
in a classroom was a chalkboard. It not only had limited space, but also once it was erased the
information was lost. In 1925, the filmstrip projector was introduced as a tool to enhance
education and teaching. Fast forward another thirty five years to when the overhead projector
made its way into classrooms. After being used in World War II, it allowed teachers to face
students while teaching and projecting notes. In 1977, desktop computers were making their
way through the United States. By the 1980s, kids were learning math and geography from
computer games such as The Oregon Trail and Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego. It
was not until the mid-1990s that teachers soon began to utilize the internet and computer for
educational purposes. Interactive whiteboards were the next wave of technology to hit
classrooms in 1999, with tablets and mobile devices following in 2007. Where does this drastic
change in the use of technology leave education today? Children can pick up their parents
smartphones and open an app of their choice as young as 2 years old but is it preparing them to
be successful learners in the future? What consequences are children facing due to the large
influence of technology everywhere you look? Are we preparing children for the future through
the use of technology or creating a generation that cannot function without it?
Almost every toy you pick up for children, beginning at infancy, requires batteries to
produce the bright lights and loud noises. It is rare that children would choose to play with
blocks over a hand held video game. These stimulating toys, that have used the latest
technology, can be very educational. However, when a child is expected to read a book that does
not light up or sing a song, it is likely the interest and motivation is diminished. When children
are constantly exposed to technology they do not develop the appropriate skills to play
independently and use their creativity. The fear is that we are creating a generation that cannot
thrive without the use of technology every day.
The United States is not the only country that is facing the dilemma over the use of
technology in education. Cuba also found that use of computers was less important than
cultivating social, civic, and academic values in children. The traditional models of instruction
(learning centers) were sustained rather than transformed (Rowan, 2013). This study brings up
many other important issues with the use of technology, especially social values. The average
elementary aged child spends 7.5 hours a day using entertainment technology. Approximately
75% of these children have televisions in their bedrooms. Consequently, children are missing out
on the personal, social interactions with family members. However, many can argue that students
can use technology to build social skills through the use of Skype and interactive bulletin boards,
such as Black Board. Technology does not replace the value of children building social skills
through face to face interactions which happen inside the walls of classrooms and at the family
dining room table. As we prepare children to enter the workforce and be positive members of
society, they are going to need to be able to socially interact in many jobs that await them. For
example, doctors and patients, police officers and citizens, attorneys and clients, and so many
other careers that have not changed even through the use of technology. These careers, and so
many more, require the use of social skills that are acquired at such a young age.
The excessive use of technology has greatly impacted the ability of students to develop
language skills and be successful writers. According to Alice Martin, "Due to the excessive
usage of online chatting and shortcuts, the writing skills of todays young generation have
declined quite tremendously. These days, children are relying more and more on digital
communication that they have totally forgotten about improving their writing skills. They dont
know the spelling of different words, how to use grammar properly or how to do cursive writing"
(2013). Looking at text messages sent on cell phones and Facebook posts, our society wants to
get messages out by using the least amount of effort. High reward with little effort is how we are
beginning to communicate with others. One the flip side, there is also a large body of research
that supports the benefits of technology for language acquisition (OHara & Pritchard, 2013).
Numerous other studies demonstrate that students who learn in existing multimedia and/or
hypertext environments show greater gains in areas of language development than students who
learn in more traditional environments. Studies investigating the impact of student construction
of hypermedia environments on language development came to similar conclusions. Even though
our students are able to get their message across with little effort and correct English, our
students are still increasing their language.
In spite of the many negative effects of increased use of technology, it is becoming more
and more used throughout classrooms every year. Many argue that the benefits of technology
outweigh the consequences and therefore are moving forward with the latest inventions available
to teachers. Technology not only promotes students involvement in learning, but is also a tool to
involve parents that cannot be in the classroom as much as they would like. Technology
connects parents at the click of a mouse with what their children are learning, as well as how
their children are progressing on assessments and assignments. It is no longer necessary for
teachers to spend hours writing notes and making phone calls in order to update parents. They
are able to use technology to send reports without any extra time spent. Through the use of blogs,
classroom websites, automatic emails and many more tools, parents now perceive technology as
a positive tool in their involvement in their childs learning (Olmstead, 2013).
Many teachers are using technology on a daily basis to increase student learning through
projects based on new apps and websites. The use of Imovie, Edmodo, powerpoint, and many
other programs enables students to explore information and acquire information on a wide range
of topics. Students then can use the information to perform tasks based on the goal at hand.
Students are using technology as a tool to aid their thinking and exploration that was not an
option about thirty years ago. In the past, students were limited to their teachers knowledge and
what was delivered to them through lectures or books to make choices and form opinions.
Students can now drive their acquisition of knowledge by using the internet that is overflowing
with interesting articles, vivid photos, and engaging videos. Technology also provides students
with new choices in how to deliver their information. In the past, options were limited to essays
and posters. Students now have the opportunity to create slideshows, videos, interactive
presentations, and any number of other options. The student is actively making choices about
how to generate, obtain, manipulate, or display information.
With many jobs being created every day to keep up with the technology changes, we can
overcome the negative effects of technology by preparing our students to be successful in the
future. Teachers must find a balance between incorporating technology without losing the social
and creative importance of schooling. It is the responsibility of the instructor to provide a variety
of options for students to pursue the information they are seeking. It is equally important to
provide the opportunities for students to work together to achieve an end result. "Today, learning
no longer is simply consumption driven. Instead, young learners are members of a participatory
learning culture. As such, individuals can contribute to the knowledge-building process instead
of passively consuming prepackaged knowledge and information (Bonk, 2009, p 328)."
Meeting the needs of students with hyperactivity is another major challenge for teachers
when implementing technology in classrooms. There is a correlation between technology and
children that have been diagnosed with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder).
According to Times Magazine (2013), in the U.S., 6 million children have been diagnosed with
ADHD, making it the most common childhood behavioral condition. Researchers are reluctant to
say there is a direct correlation between gadgets and ADHD, but there are strong parallels
between the upswing in diagnoses and an increase of screen time. One important finding:
children and young adults who overdo TV and video games are nearly twice as likely to suffer
from a variety of attention-span disorders, according to a study in the journal Pediatrics (Rock,
2013). Ritalin, which increases dopamine activity, is a very common solution to help children
with ADHD. Many parents raising children that are diagnosed with ADHD are very reluctant to
place their child on this medication. Their concern is that once their child has been prescribed
this medication, they will have to continue it throughout their life. Parents want to prevent their
child from having to rely on medication to function.
However, when you see a child playing on some type of electronic device, they could be
self-medicating. As the child is playing the game, they are getting more points, which then move
them to a new level, unlock a new character, or provides new powers. These rewards are giving
the brain a "winning" feeling which produces dopamine and is the main ingredient in Ritalin.
These electronic devices are helping our youth control their urges without having to rely on
prescribed medication. Another way that technology can help students that have been diagnosed
with ADHD is motivation. A majority of kids that have ADHD enjoy using some type of
technology, from watching TV and movies, to playing games on a desktop computer or hand
held device. If a parent or teacher wants a desired behavior from a child with ADHD, there needs
to be a positive reinforcement. Providing a specific amount of "play time" for them, can help get
the desired behavior from that child. As he/she learns that performing what is asked of them will
get them "play time," this child with become more likely to perform the task successfully. Once
the child gets to the point where they are performing the task or behavior quickly, then the parent
or teacher needs to decrease the amount of "play time". Eventually the parent or teacher can
begin to require more of the child with "play time" as the reward.
Students need to be taught how to use technology as a tool in their education. It is
realistic to think that students will need technology skills in the future in order to be successful.
Students need to be taught that technology is one tool, but not the only tool in their learning.
Teachers need to guide students in the process of using technology and their creativity at the
same time to create learning opportunities. If we do not continue to keep up with the constant
changes in technology we will find ourselves with a generation that is not prepared to live in the
future. When thinking about how much technology has evolved over the last hundred years, it is
hard to imagine where it will be in the future, but it means we have to prepare students for the
possibility of what will come. According to John Schacter (1999) the level of effectiveness of
educational technology is influenced by the specific student population, the software design, the
educator's role, and the level of student access to the technology.

References

- Curtis Jay Bonk. (n.d.). The world is open : How Web technology is revolutionizing education.
(1st ed.). Jossey-Bass.
-Martin, A. (2013, May 13). The 4 Negative Side Effects Of Technology. <i></i>. Retrieved
May 1, 2014, from http://www.edudemic.com/the-4-negative-side-effects-of-technology/
-O'Hara, S., & Pritchard, R. (2014, April 30). What is the Impact of Technology on Learning?.
<i></i>. Retrieved June 1, 2014, from http://www.education.com/reference/article/what-impact-
technology-learning/
- Olmstead, C. Using Technology to Increase Parent Involvement in Schools. TechTrends:
Linking Research & Practice to Improve Learning, 57, 28-37. Retrieved May , 2014, from
-Rock, M. (2013, July 8). A Nation of Kids with Gadgets and ADHD Is technology to blame for
the rise of behavioral disorders?. <i></i>. Retrieved June 1, 2014, from
http://techland.time.com/2013/07/08/a-nation-of-kids-with-gadgets-and-adhd/
- Rowan, C. (2013). The Impact of Technology on the Developing Child. . Retrieved May 5,
2014, from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/cris-rowan/technology-children-negative-
impact_b_3343245.html
- Schacter, J. The impact of education technology on student achievement: What the most current
research has to say.. Milken Exchange on Education Technology, 5.