Affect of Internet on Education, Essay Example

Technology has continually grown throughout time.  A decade ago, students had to use books instead of Google.  There was no option to search the internet in order to find references to back up their ideas or prove their thesis.  Now everything is available via the internet.  Classes are even available to be taken online, instead of the traditional classroom setting.  Books, newspapers, and journals are all available online as well.  The internet is even used in classroom teaching for broader and more thorough learning experiences.  The internet has had a positive effect on education at every level.

Education has changed drastically from a few decades ago.  Technology has made it so that individuals have the resources to get a better education.  It went from the teacher being the only one with books, and the students writing the dictation to printing presses that mass produced text books.  This allowed students to read and study on their own, forming their own opinions instead of the one that was told by the teacher.  Typewriters, word processors, computers, and printers all paved the way for the computer age that we are in today.  The way that classroom teaching has changed as a result of these technology advances as well.

Some technology that has been around for a while and often taken for granted is things like the printer, where papers can be handed out for individual learning.  Text books for every student to be able to read and study on their own.  Other simple things like paper, pens, and libraries to aid in the learning process as well.  These simple things are often taken for granted because we have grown use to having the same resources all wrapped up into a computer monitor.  They still serve an important part in the educational process, however because they have been around so long, the appreciation is gone.

Internet has been a positive influence on the way that we read, write, think, and interact with others.   A good education is dependent on all of these factors.  “Learning is the act or process of developing skill or knowledge. Modern, web-based learning and computing provides the means for fundamentally changing the way in which instruction is delivered to students. “(Arsham 2002) It is the same concept, teaching the student to read, write, think, and interact with others; however it provides additional information to make this learning experience even better.   The only thing that has changed is the method that the information is delivered to the students instead.   And maybe the amount of information, there is a much more in depth availability of information on the internet than in a text book.

There are many benefits to technology. The speed and availability of information is continually growing.  “When presented with random facts, participants in the study who believed the information would be lost after they read it scored much higher on the quizzes that asked them to recall the facts than those participants who thought they could access the information later. Interestingly, she also found that most people immediately turn to the internet when they are presented with a question to which they don’t know the answer.” (Sparrow 2011)  A continual resource to build knowledge and information is important in with learning.  The biggest benefit is the internet is available 24/7 making it easy to educate oneself at any time.

The benefits of technology do not go without disadvantages.   When students always turn to technology, such as the internet, they do not know what to do when the internet is unavailable.  They also can take others ideas and make them their own instead of researching and doing the work on their own.  There are also a lot of distractions that can come up with technology as well.  Social networks, chatting with friends, and searching the web for completely unrelated things can hinder the education process too.  Monitoring the usage of technology can make sure that it is being used to help with ones education, not hinder it.

People typically react positively to technology.  They accept the changes because most of the time they are created to make life easier for everyone.  “Throughout history, information has been a powerful tool that guides society and also defines social places with in that society. In ancient times, the clergy and the wealthy were the only ones that had access to written documents. The invention of the printing press helped to spread the collected knowledge to more people. As information was shared, society changed from predominately agrarian to industrial.” (Exploring 2007)  It further shows the positive progression that technology has provided.  This is why it has been so well accepted, because it is made to make life better and easier.

Technology can adapt to facilitate literacy practices while avoiding the problems associated with it.  This can be done by using setting standards when it comes to using technology.  For example, computers that are used in classrooms can be blocked from free usage and only allow access to educational sites and searches.  This will provide the technological advantage while preventing the negatives that are associated with it.  Another example is online classes, blocking the availability to toggle back and forth while in the classroom will keep the student in the classroom for the required amount of time.  These are just a few ideas that will keep technology beneficial without the negative side.

There is no limitation to how technology will change learning and education.  “There is the ease of reaching out without the limitations. It is not only limited to that, thousands of schools across the world have integrated the traditional way of instruction with the learning through the Internet. Children often surf through sites for supplementing information available in the textbooks, to read extensively on the topics that interest them and also to aid project works they are required to do.” (The Impact 2010)  This just shows that technology has continued to help students in their learning process.

The next step is to continue to guide technology to aid in the learning process.  Through continual review and revision it can make sure that all the resources help the students learn instead of creating obstacles. There are good and bad that go along with every change.  It is necessary to manage the good and prevent the bad to ensure the success of the said change.   Going forward, technology will continue to improve and provide even better resources for the students.

The internet has had a positive effect on education at every level. Technology continually improves the ability to learn new things and use new resources.  Research has reported both good and bad with internet usages as a means of teaching.  The change that has happened over the past decades has been good and will continue to be good.   Some technology that we are accustom to is often taken for granted with its usefulness.  Overall the internet has had a positive effect on how we read, write, and learn.  Technology and the internet will continue to improve and aid in the overall educational experience.   There is a lot more good than bad when it comes to internets effect on education.

References

Arsham, Professor Hossein. “Impact of the Internet on Learning and Teaching”.  USDLA Journal, 2002.  ISSN 1537-5080 Vol. 16 No. 3.  Print.

Sparrow, Betsy. “Interview”.  Columbia University, 2011. Print.

“Exploring the Ever-Changing Technical Landscape that Teacher Face Everyday”. EduTechLife, 2007.  Print.

“The Impact of the Internet on Education”.  Everything Jobs and Education, 2010.  Print.