Technology Misuse in the Educational Settings Essay (Critical Writing)

Summary

The article “Anticipating the Exception, Not the Rule” by Daniel Becker examines the misuse of technologies in the educational system and provides a brief overview of the most critical cases. The author analyzes the problem of three situations. The first is making videos during the lessons and their further posting on web platforms. The situation itself may not be offensive until its main aim is to make fun.

Moreover, the author describes making audio records during lectures – a teacher may face the problem of his or her private conversations being recorded by the students. The third case refers to the response system used to display anonymous opinions on the questions discussed during the lesson. Inappropriate comments may create an unfavorable atmosphere in the classroom. Despite all the negative aspects elucidated above, the author points out the efficacy of technologies’ implementation into the educational process. Meanwhile, he puts a particular emphasis on the fact that it is a long-term process that will essentially affect all the spheres of the educational system.

Reflections

On the face of it, the article focuses on the negative aspects of technologies’ implementation, describing the problems of their misuse in class. However, it is evident that the use of devices is already an integral part of the modern education process; hence, it is essential to find alternative ways to make good use of it. We believe that technologies offer a lot of advantages – gadgets’ employment increases general motivation in students; it likewise creates a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. However, we realize that it can be difficult to resist the temptation to text messages and post photos in class. Thus, the need for special limitation regulations is obvious.

From this perspective, we suggest that the use of technologies is not rejected; instead, potential risks are carefully assessed and eliminated. As a result, it is recommended that the incremental approach is selected as the most appropriate for ensuring effective implementation.

Recommendations

We suggest that the incremental approach is more efficient than the linear method. The latter tends to overlook potential risks and complications – as a result, the changes may cause a negative attitude towards the educational system. Experts note that the incremental approach is also more beneficial in terms of cost-effectiveness (Edwards 78). We realize that nowadays education and technologies are closely interconnected, so rapid shifts are not productive. Meanwhile, minor incremental changes may assist in overcoming potential complications and challenges.

Practice shows that the incremental approach is particularly effective in terms of technologies and education (Roos 46). Thus, we believe that gradual and smooth change will allow both teachers and students to get accustomed to a new technological environment and work out the basic principles of operating within it. It is highly critical that the technologies used in class do not only add an entertaining element but open up new educational prospects and simplify the access to the wide scope of scientific resources. It is also recommended that teachers make skillful use of technologies so that the latter serves to be a powerful motivator.

Activity

1. I think that it is necessary to use modern technologies in class to improve the education process and raise the general motivation.
   1. Agree
   2. Disagree
2. It is essential to implement some restrictions that would regulate the employment of technologies and prevent the gadgets’ misuse.
   1. Agree
   2. Disagree

Works Cited

Edwards, Anthony. New Technology and Education, New York, New York: A&C Black, 2012. Print.

Roos, Kalter. “An Incremental Approach to Computational Physics Education.” Computing in Science & Engineering 8.5 (2006): 44-50. Print.