When Classroom Technology Impedes Student Learning

https://www.aei.org/publication/when-classroom-technology-impedes-student-learning/

This article reflected on a study in which high school students were given three choices prior to taking a three and a half hour final exam. The first being that they could take the test without any technology. The second choice was "technology-at-will", which allowed students to freely use a tablet when they wanted. The last choice was for students who were restricted to taking the test using only a tablet.

The final results found that students who took the test without the use of a tablet, scored higher than the students who used any form of technology. This study took place over two terms and it analyzed 726 students in 50 different classrooms. The article said that technology can be a powerful tool to engage students, but what matters is how it is used. Many schools are concerned with keeping up on the newest hardware and software when implementing technology in the classroom. However, schools should be more concerned with giving students the attention and support needed when using these technology devices.

I would have to agree with that statement. I think that technology allows me to engage students and facilitate learning in a different way. I think that most of us take our technology for granted sometimes. However, I think that instruction should be meaningful and intentional in nature. I feel that teachers sometimes implement technology games into instruction because it's "easier", but is it actually supporting student learning?