Kurt Killewald chose to discuss the downfalls of technology in the classroom as a future educator seeking to understand both benefits and disadvantages of incorporating technology. While technology can offer tools like videos, computers, and smart boards, overreliance on passive screen activities can lead to student isolation, lack of social interaction, and inability to keep up emotionally with classroom material. Simply using computers as the main teaching tool does not effectively develop critical thinking without a teacher to guide learning. Technology also risks negative impacts if not monitored, like exposing children to inappropriate content online. As an educator, Killewald aims to utilize technology's benefits while avoiding problems of replacing meaningful learning with passive digital activities.

1. Downfalls of Technology in the ClassroomKurt Killewald

2. Underlying IssueThe main focus of this presentation is to spread awareness and concern over the disadvantages, complications, and unnecessary technologies that are deterring students and teachers alike from applying and interpreting appropriate, functional levels of education in the classroom.

3. Why I Chose This TopicMy focus at CMU is a secondary education degree with a major in Earth Science, a minor in Physical Education. As I continue to learn through my courses, I am constantly gaining ideas and slowly starting to prepare for my future as an instructor. With my future teachings of Earth Science and Physical Education ahead of me I am gathering ideas as to how and what I will use to teach my students.Today, options of improving the education process are endless.

4. Why I Chose This Topic cont.As I continue to expand my knowledge and future plans as an educator, the recent explosion of technological improvements that are applicable to education have made instructing in certain ways much easier.My views of increasing, using, and improving technology within the classroom is something I look as pertinent and valuable. I as a future educator will use technology in my classroom.

5. Why I Chose This Topic Cont.I chose this topic because I believe that sometimes the best way to learn is by learning all the angles. I will include technology in my teachings, so therefore I am exploring the disadvantages, so as an instructor I can utilize technology to instruct my students the greatest.

6. Technology is incorporated into the classroom in numerous ways…CalculatorsVideosComputersSearch Engines, Word Documents, Power Point Presentations, Video Streaming, E-mailSmart BoardsListening CentersPod CastsWebpage Design

7. Isolation in the ClassroomScreen OrientedLess Social Interaction face to face communication w/ peers and teacher Passive activities are NOT conducive to learningStudents spend more time in front of the computer screens than they do interacting with peers and teachers

8. Sink or Swim?Students grasp the material or fall behind…Some MASK their emotionsDo they truly understand the material? Are they daydreaming? Can they keep up? Students “look” to please others!Emotional Roller Coasters Anxiety, Stress, Fear, Depression, Medication

9. Technology and software require time and effort to master!This can be an impediment for students that need to master skills that are necessary to work and function with the new technology. There is not enough research on technology and the effectiveness on children to determine that it should be the center of classroom instruction!

10. Computers serves ONLY as tools!A tool is only as effective as the mind using it! Computers alone can't develop critical thinking skills or decision making abilities. A student must bring knowledge with him/her every time he/she sits down in front of the computer. Technology is only as effective as the teacher behind the student or the mind behind the child!

11. Negative Impacts on Children Sites are not filteredSexual predatorsExposed to violence, advertisements, inappropriate language/lyrics and music videos

12. Negative Impacts on Children Cont.Chatrooms, Instant Messenger, MySpace websites etc. all allow children to become victims of sexual assault.Children are growing up sooner than later!Children see celebrities and icons and want to be just like them!

13. Common Acronyms Used Online… ASL -- age, sex, and location BF -- boyfriend BTDT -- been there, done that F2F -- face to face HB -- hurry back HHJK -- ha, ha just kidding PIR - Parent in room K - kiss or OK NOYB -- none of your business LMA -- leave me alone PAW -- parents are watching PM -- private message POS -- parents over shoulder THTH -- too hot to handle PSA -- public show of affection BTW - By The Way WTGP -- Want to go private? This is the latest list of acronyms that children/teens are using online!!!!!

14. Lazy Days…Technology is a “Crutch” Not intrinsically motivated to learn due to lack of challenge “Don’t learn it…Just GOOGLE It!”Children are not forced to learn material because they don’t have to! Technology-calculators, spell check etc. save them! They don’t really have to think!

15. SourcesOverseas Family School: Pros and Cons of Technology. Overseas Family School. Web. 24 Feb. 2010. <http://www.ofs.edu.sg/about-ofs/articles/pros-and-cons/>.Teaching Guide for Graduate Student Instructors:Pros and Cons of using instructional technology. Graduate Student Instuctor, 07 July 2008. Web. 24 Feb. 2010. <http://gsi.berkeley.edu/resources/it/pros_cons.html>. Common Acronyms Used Online:Familyeveryday. FamilyEveryday Creating balance, managing time, recieving time. Web. 1 Mar. 2010. <http://www.familyeveryday.com/articles/parenting_details.php?record_id=123#>.