The document discusses the increasing use of technology in classrooms and both the potential benefits and drawbacks. It notes that while technology can enhance learning if used effectively, it can also lead to technical difficulties, ineffective usage without proper training, a widening gap between wealthy and poor districts, diminished social skills, and issues like cheating and cyberbullying. The goal is to understand these problems and find solutions that allow technology to enhance education while avoiding these risks, such as providing teacher training and monitoring usage.

1. Technology in the Classroom Positive Enhancement to Traditional Teaching...

2. Or negative and potentially dangerous distraction? Could it be both?

3. Computers in schools are multiplying: are multiplying: During the 1984-85 school year, there were 63.5 students for every one computer in public schools. During the 1997-98 school year, there were 6.3 students for every computer. And in the 2004-2005 school year, there were 4.0 students for every computer. Taken from: Computers in Public Schools — Infoplease.com http://www.infoplease.com/askeds/computers-p ublic-schools.html#ixzz1SfRnDcnq

4. Computers and other technological aids are being increasingly used in classrooms to enhance learning. http://voicethread.com/?#q+computers+in+school.b232280.i1207851 To see how one school uses technology in various ways, click here:

5. But problems and dangers do exist... Technical difficulties Inappropriate and ineffective usage Necessity of ongoing educator training Technology gap - rich vs. poor Dependency on technology Diminishing social skills Potential for cheating Cyberbullying Cyber predators

6. Research Purpose: The goal of this research is to determine, understand, and suggest solutions for the problems associated with the use of technology to educate.

7. Technical Difficulties Ineffective Uses Ongoing Training Required Technical problems hinder teaching and learning. If replacement computers aren't available, valuable classroom time is wasted. (Miles, 2011) Is technology enhancing well-thought out lesson plans, or is it being used as a substitute for quality, interactive teaching? Technology is improving rapidly!Can district training keep teachers one step ahead of their students?

8. The Technology Gap Is technology affordable in every district? Is professional development for all teachers possible? Does every student have access to a computer outside of the classroom? (Merrow, 2009)

9. (Gentile, 2004)

10. Computers can alienate students from the teacher, potentially causing them to learn less. (Stream, 2011)

11. Cheating Why bother reading Why bother writing an essay if I can download one off the web? Why bother studying if my friend can text me the answer? if I can read a summary online in less than a minute? (Merrow, 2009)

12. Cyberbullying and online predators http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aa6Vxc4cB2w http://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=Cx7RemmnAiI& NR =1 Bullying Predators

13. But what can we do? Finding some solutions benefits both educators and students alike. By understanding the difficulties posed by technology in the classroom, teachers can formulate ways to solve the problems and enhance the student’s learning environment with safe and efficient uses of modern teaching aids.

14. What Solutions? Train teachers regularly Give students access to school computers outside of school Educate parents to limit use for entertainment purposes Use technology creatively as enhancement to learning, but let them play and socialize too Monitor carefully to avoid cheating and prevent danger

15. Conclusion “ Ultimately, the quality of the class will depend solely on the quality of the teacher and not the presence of technology.” Hollowell, 2010 Technology: Friend or Foe? Told you it was both!

16. Bibliography Computers in public schools. Infoplease.com. (n.d.). Infoplease: Encyclopedia, Almanac, Atlas, Biographies, Dictionary, Thesaurus. Free online reference, research & homework help. Infoplease.com . Retrieved from http://www.infoplease.com/askeds/computers-public-schools.htm l Cooper, M. (2011, July 1). Negative effects of laptops in high school | eHow.com. eHow | How to Videos, Articles & More - Trusted Advice for the Curious Life | eHow.com . Retrieved from http://www.ehow.com/info_8673968_negative-effects-laptops-high-school.html Hollowell, K. (2010, July 27). Advantages and disadvantages of technology in education | eHow.com. eHow | How to Videos, Articles & More - Trusted Advice for the Curious Life | eHow.com . Retrieved from http://www.ehow.com/about_4815039_advantages-disadvantages-technology-education.html Klopfer, E., Osterweil, S., Groff, J., & Haas, J. (n.d.). Using the technology of today, in the classroom today. MIT.edu . Retrieved from education.mit.edu/papers/GamesSimsSocNets_EdArcade.pdf LeClaire, J. (2006, September 6). Technology news: technology: kids and tech: how much is too much?. TechNewsWorld: All Tech - All The Time . Retrieved from http://www.technewsworld.com/story/52677.html Merrow, J. (2009, November 3). Technology in schools: problems & possibilities | Taking Note. Taking Note | Thoughts on Education from John Merrow . Retrieved from http://takingnote.learningmatters.tv/?p=3261 Miles, S. (n.d.). The disadvantages of laptops in an elementary classroom | eHow.com. eHow | How to Videos, Articles & More - Trusted Advice for the Curious Life | eHow.com . Retrieved from http://www.ehow.com/facts_5503182_disadvantages-laptops-elementary-classroom.html Payne, M. (2010, August 16). Social skills fading away due to technology - Opinion - Apache Pow Wow - Tyler Junior College . Apache Pow Wow - Tyler Junior College . Retrieved from http://www.tjcnewspaper.com/2.10991/social-skills-fading-away-due-to-technology-1.1529355 Stream, C. (2011, June 15). The advantage & disadvantage of technology in classrooms | eHow.com. eHow | How to Videos, Articles & More - Trusted Advice for the Curious Life | eHow.com . Retrieved from http://www.ehow.com/info_8595942_advantage-disadvantage-technology-classrooms.html Tomlinson, S. (n.d.). Disadvantages of computers in the classroom. eHow Family . Retrieved from http:// www.ehow.com/about_4607245_disadvantages-computers-classroom.html// APA formatting by BibMe.org.