5 Arguments Against Using Electronics in the Classroom

Technology is omnipresent, so introducing it to the classroom seems normal. If students are supposed to learn real-world skills, shouldn't schools contain the same elements that students will see every day? However, not everything that's common is good. New technology can create difficulties for schools and students alike.

1. No Academic Improvement

In classrooms that have been revamped with costly technology, students become proficient in computer skills. However, there have not been corresponding increases in mathematical and language skills. It is difficult to justify the dedication of large sums of money to equipment that does not provide the desired results.

2. Additional Expenses

Initial equipment costs are not the only expense to keep in mind about digital classrooms. Schools need sufficient bandwidth for multiple classes of students to use their devices at once. In-house IT consultants would have to be hired to complete repairs and provide IT help. Teachers already have a long list of responsibilities, so troubleshooting electronic devices is out of the question.

3. Decreased Social Competence

Socialisation is a vital part of education. Aside from math and science, students learn how to share, compromise, and communicate in the classroom. A plugged-in classroom is characterised by less social interaction and collaborative learning.

4. Distractions

The potential for distraction is enormous in a classroom with electronics. At a glance, teachers cannot tell if a student is diligently working or surfing an unrelated website. It is for this reason that some schools have rules prohibiting the use of social media sites in class.

While a widespread embrace of technology may be inevitable, further investigation is clearly necessary.