Technology Effects on Developing Children

Introduction

Technological advances are inevitable they will happen regardless of who likes it or not. Humans were designed to build; our ancestors were the first species to create and use various tools to create new instruments to make human life easier and innovation is in our DNA. Humans have always found ways to improve any parts of our life from buying food quicker (fast food restaurants), to searching up the fast route to Canada, humans have found ever way to make simple task more convenient and simplistic with advancements constantly happening itis unsure what effect they have on developing minds. But does this translate into schools also, is there a more convenient and simplistic way of teaching students that is affective? Do these technological advances prove to be helpful for students or is it an arising cancer?  

Over the past twenty to thirty years technology has become more prominent in all aspects of human life. Cellphones and social media have integrated their ways into parents and children’s lives and a variety of way. For instance in colleges now you must download an app that allows you to answer in class question and mark your attendance to the class activities which did not exist twenty years ago. Laptops and other forms of technology are being used in replaced of textbooks are being introduced to elementary students in schools. Hence are these changes in technological advances in early child development hurting the development of children or helping them?

Past

Early developments of technology in classrooms did not prove to be successful. take for instance “During the 1980s, the Apple Classrooms of Tomorrow project attempted to introduce more innovative uses of computers in a set of schools across the United States, but evaluations of the program proved inconclusive (Baker, Gearhart, & Herman, 1993). And states that were pouring large amounts of money into statewide technology plans often found that the increased expenditures did not lead to increased test scores (Virginia Department of Education, personal communication, 2000).” The result of these technological advances forty years ago when they had little to no integration in schools before the “boom” of technology in the 2000 did not show any benefits. Educators began to see it as a waste of money because they did not see any improvements in student learning with these new advances.

And Then the 90s

Fast Forward twenty years later another shift began, United States education system began merging technology in schools once again. This time educating the educators. “By the end of the 1990s, however, things had changed. Nearly every U.S. school had faster and more powerful computers than those that large universities had been able to afford only 10 years before, as well as CD-ROM drives and Internet connections. The computer-to-student ratio was down to 1 to 5, and a greater proportion of computers were located in classrooms. More teachers had received enough training in technology to feel confident using computers in instruction.” (Wenglinsky). The education system believed that these technological advances in the classroom were needed to improve students learning environment, so they began by increasing the number of computers in classrooms.

Computer lack intimacy. Computers do not have emotions receptors to detect the comprehension of the student the wat teacher are capable. Teacher are capable to judge a student learning style and learning comprehension which is important for young students who are just beginning (scratching the surface) learning how to learn. Author Cullingford believes one main reason technology was not integrated earlier into the education systems because they are “passive media” unlike teachers computers lack an interactive dialogue. The student listens but cannot ask questions or concern.

He continues onto say early theories believe instrumental technology should work “alongside the teacher, the textbook, and the blackboard” (Cullingford) The lack of technology so many year ago was because of the idea that learning ha to be obtained through teacher listener and response method. Where students could ask questions and teacher could respond. The lack of intimacy with computer and technology do not allow this.

Present

Currently technology is having huge effects in United States schooling system. Children of all ages in some way shape or form are experiencing the effects of the current shift to computer-based learning. These currents shift stretch from online homework and quizzes to computer games and entertainment. The implementation of these technological developments arising are big concerns; for parents and teacher they are affecting the next generation of medical professionals, police officers and teachers.

Is today, yesterday or tomorrow?

These technological additions can have huge positive affects expanding students minds and opening new doors. They are allowing many students to have actual improvements in their learning.“ Studies support the idea that using certain smart devices and apps in the classroom has a positive influence on learning. One study shows that an app called Martha Speaks increased the vocabulary of 13 five-year-olds by 27%. Another similar app showed a 17% improvement in the vocabulary of three-year-olds. (Rumens)” These educational applications being used in classrooms are supplying a beneficial need to students. These two studies show the increase of student vocabulary due to the introduction of these applications in classrooms.There are shown to be a variety of benefits of technology in classrooms. In an interview I conducted with Chrissy Ziccarelli a representative from Girls Who Code I was informed that technology gives students a confidence they never had, especially girls. It opens doors that they did not know exist because it allows them to come to conclusions without the pressure of a teacher. Students can problem solve when they are coding or in the applied STEM field that is not generally allowed in other aspects of learning. Students get to learn about themselves as a learner through technology, they see the strengthens and weaknesses as a learner. I asked Ziccarelli about the drawbacks of technology in relation to students and she told me she could not think of many, but if she had to one could be emotions. She said that students’ due to the one-sided nature of computers the emotional aspects are not explored because computers can not feel. Students cannot tell a computer they are sad, mad or happy it does not allow student to be emotionally expressive. But with its extremely one-sided nature a lot of students feel it is the best way for them to express their feeling. They feel that the computers and technology are the only thing that truly can understand how they feel.

Right now, there is great evidence for the advantages to technology in schools one being comfort. Children are so consumed by technology they find a comfort in it. From cellphones to television they are constantly being shielded by technology. “There are several benefits for educators in employing the same technology kids are already using. For some, it’s a way to integrate something familiar into daily learning. It helps teachers connect with students in ways they’re comfortable with. In this sense, learning becomes a part of daily life, not just something that happens inside the classroom. (Rumes)” For that reason of the comfort of students, integrating something they are used to proves that technology in schools can be beneficial. Students began to see learning as a regular thing not the task when it becomes applied with technology or computers.

Everything that glitters is not gold; there can be serval draw backs to technology in schools with students. With technology comes social media and with social media opens bigger doors to the bigger world. Social media carries a weight behind it “…giving students confidence they did not know they had…(Ziccareill)”. This is where bullying and the negative aspects of technology mainly lie. “One common concern is that there’s no way for teachers to know if students are using their phones to learn or to text friends during class. In addition, not all children own smart devices, leading to the concern that some kids may feel socially alienated from their peers who bring devices to schools.(Rumes)” Students innately want to feel included and technology will create a barrier for the students that have and the ones that go without.

Everything is not sunshine and rainbows

These negative effects of technology come from a variety of stand points with different magnitudes. Even if parents and teachers do everything, in their power to protect their children the material that is available on the internet for children or students to come across is endless. “… children must be guided wisely in the way that makes them engage and reflect on the accessed information. This will allow them to be mindful of adult materials which can hamper their moral and cognitive development. The need to maximize benefits and reduce the harm emanating from the media and technology uses, has become a core point of discussion on how to utilize technologies as an attempt to empower children’s adaptive technological skills. (Huda)” Therefore children having access to technology and computers can have so many advantages, but children are able to come across far worse that with stunt all the possible benefits of technology.

As a child, it is not always evident the impact of changes in minor events, especially when the child is in developmental stages and is changing every day. When a child is presenting negative effects from changes to their environment is difficult to say the culprits of these events. Is the child developing negative side effects as a developmental stage of growth or is s/he showing signs of the wear of technology to their development? “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)” All in all the effects of technology can limit children to develop necessary capablities.

Future

Technology has changed so much other the source of thirty years to say what the future holds its difficult. To assume that the advantages will begin or continue to surpass the disadvantages is unfair to say or vice versa because technology continues to evolve.  In the interview with Ziccareill she believes the future is destine for nothing but greatness. Women will find their place is engineering fields by this exploration of computers being integrated heavily into schools. Opening new doors for females’ students and continue to open doors for male students. She also thinks the sky is the limit, the negative draw backs will never equal to the positive possibilities that are happening and will happen for females’ students in STEM programs.

“Since these devices have emerged only in the last decade or so, their long-term effects on childhood development and growth are still not fully realized. Just as you wouldn’t associate the short-term effects of caffeine with the long-term effects of drinking several sodas per day over the course of a decade, you also can’t assume that the short-term effects of technology usage will reflect the effects you’ll see ten years from now. (Rumens)” Therefore the possibilities for the future are not certain.

Conclusion

To conclude this essay, we can see that the past was thought to have way more disadvantages then the future has proved to fulfill. The present is demonstrating great prospects for the future. Technology effects on students has seemed to have major advantages with minor setback. Technology has improved female exploration in STEM fields, students comfort levels in class, vocabularies. Technology has a broad spectrum currently of advances in students learning in schools. The draw backs are the confidence of cyber bullies and the internet inappropriate material assessable to students now.

Work Cited

Bylanes, Knowlege. “Technology Is Hurting Children.” FocusMe, 22 Mar.2014, www.knowledgebylanesegypt.com/tag/justice/.

Cullingford, Cedric, and Nusrat Haq. Computers, schools and students: The effects of technology. Routledge, 2016

 District Administration. Gale In Context: Middle School, https://link-gale-com.ccny-proxy1.libr.ccny.cuny.edu/apps/pub/0LZD/MSIC?u=cuny_ccny&sid=MSIC. Accessed 18 Sept. 2019.
Hansen. “Laptop Usage Affects Abstract Reasoning of Children in the Developing World.” Computers & Education, vol. 59, no. 3, 2012, pp. 989–1000.

Huda, Miftachul, et al. “Empowering children with adaptive technology skills: Careful engagement in the digital ınformation age.” International Electronic Journal of Elementary

 Education 9.3 (2017): 693-708.

Rowan, Cris. “The Impact of Technology on the Developing Child.” HuffPost, HuffPost, 7 Dec. 2017, www.huffpost.com/entry/technology-children-negative-impact_b_3343245?guccounter=1.

 Rumens, Jon. “How Technology Impacts Our Children.” FocusMe, FocusMe, 20 Nov. 2018, focusme.com/blog/how-technology-impacts-our-kids/.

Wenglinsky, Harold. “Technology and achievement: The bottom line.” Educational Leadership 63.4 (2005): 29.