Blog #8- Is Technology Benefiting or Destroying our Society?

 

    Over the years technology has definitely increased immensely in our society. Technology use has definitely risen not only in our schools but also in teens and adults as well in the society. Since the pandemic technology has increased in our schools. Technology in the classroom can be extremely beneficial for our students. An article I found talked about Vanderbilt schools and how technology has helped them in their classrooms. "Professor Margaret Smithey guides her students in the preparation of multi-media classroom presentation including clips from the internet, video, audio, and news archive footage. She has opened an e-conference for interns from her courses who want to stay in touch with their fellow students and professors" (Granberg, 2022). This shows a great way how technology can be incorporated in the classroom for not only students but also teachers to connect their ideas. A teacher also had found that he was unable to find a textbook that really captured the ideas he wanted his students to learn, so he incorporated technology and put his lecture notes on the web and this replaced the textbook. 

  

                                                 

Klausner, A. (2016, January 29). College students spend 20 per cent of their time on their phones during class. Mail Online. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3423447/College-students-spend-20-cent-time-phones-class-paying-attention.html

  I think that technology can be beneficial in our schools if students and teachers are using it in the correct way. Personally, I believe that technology can be extremely beneficial but I also think there can be a lot of negative outcomes with technology in schools as well. "Social media invites comparison. It's not in real time. It is anxiety over the like and responses that you're going to get" (Kamenetz, 2019). Individuals who are on social media are children and teenagers who are extremely vulnerable because their brains are developing and they need more social validation. A lot of students use ipads and chrome books in their classrooms which can cause students to text one another or use other websites in class that cause a distraction for students and can lead to many issues like bullying as well. Students can take advantage of technology used in classrooms and use it in ways that it should not be used. I really think technology can be beneficial but I believe students would be able to learn more without having technology. Technology can causes students to expect instant gratification which in reality is not how the real world works. I also think it can be a huge distraction for students to visit other websites, play games, and text peers. 

 Renkewitz, G. (2020). The Negative Impacts of Social Media and Technology on Children and Young Adults. The Dispatch. https://hhsdispatch.com/1828/oped/the-negative-impacts-of-social-media-and-technology-on-children-and-young-adults/

   In the documentary Plugged-in: The True Toxicity of Social Media Revealed it really showed us how toxic technology can be. Depression and anxiety has increased by 70% in the past twenty five years. Children with eating disorders and psychiatric issues has doubled since 2009. It also really talks about the violence and power of social media and how what people say on social media they would never actually say to your face which hurts other people in a very negative way that can lead to suicide. Technology brings away from reality and mental health issues rise. This is completely my point, social media can really harm children and teenagers and lead them to only care about what social media says and how it is their reality. It causes individuals to be addicted to these apps which can also be brought into school. I believe technology should really stay out of our schools. I think this really relates to blog #4 and students mental health. 

                                            

Davis & Mendelson Law. (2021, August 26). Cyber Bullying Laws in New Jersey - Davis & Mendelson Law. https://www.camdencountydivorcelawyer.com/practic areas/cyber-bullying/

A concern that rises about students not being able to have their devices in school is "how will parents be able to reach their child?" I believe that if parents need to reach their child calling the school or even going up to the school is how parents can reach their child if needed. "We really want to provide a clean break for students and not have the frenetic energy that can happen if kids start texting each other or social media posts start going" (Klein, 2019). Students having their phones in schools causes them to be able to text one another immediately about an issue that can be going. Students really need to be focusing on school and learning, having social media can cause huge distractions. Even students having devices that are given to them in school can cause them to still download their own interests. The AASA article had stated that sexting is a huge issue caused between minors. The article stated how a girl committed suicide after photos she sent to her boyfriend were sent to hundreds of people. Sadly, this happens way more than we may think it does. School districts are actually raising awareness and increasing education about sexting, which I think is so important because children can be extremely vulnerable and not understand the outcome of these actions. Unfortunately, the negatives of technology most definitely outweigh the positives of technology. Social media is now children, teenagers and even adults reality. Having technology in the classroom for students can be harmful but also extremely distracting. Perhaps finding ways to monitor students technology in the classroom can help create a better environment for students mental health and education in the classroom. 

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Sexting. (n.d.). The School Superintendents Association (AASA).

Klein, A. (2019, September 6). Schools say no to cell phones. But is it a smart move? Education Week.

Kamenetz, A. (2019, August 27). NPR's The Scientific Debate over Teens, Screens, and Mental Health. National Public Radio.

Mcdaniel, R. (2022, July 23). How Technology Enhances Teaching and Learning. Vanderbilt University. https://cft.vanderbilt.edu/articles-and-essays/the-teaching-forum/how-technology-enhances-teaching-and-learning/

Willett, R. (Director). (2019). Plugged-In: The Toxicity of Social Media Revealed. [YouTube Video]. Brick in the Wall Media.