Advantages and Disadvantages of Technology in Education

Technology in education is growing, but what are the advantages and disadvantages? Schools are utilizing it and students are becoming part of our global culture through its use. Interactive and multi-media lessons enhance the classroom's learning. Parents can easily access and track their children's grades and communicate with teachers. Of course, the teacher, as with any educational method, cannot solely rely on it.

Advantages

• Multi-Media Lessons - Children today have the benefit of learning lessons with multi-media applications such as online books, learning games and videos.


• Home Textbooks - Newer textbooks are now available online. This eliminates the child having to lug home extra books. With a login password, they can view their textbook online. Some online textbooks are interactive and have study games and videos of what the children are learning. Online math textbooks show video examples of math equations. Online science textbooks show videos of what the children are learning.


• Evaluate and Track Students Learning - Computer testing helps teachers to track where children are and give individual attention to their classes strengths and weaknesses.


• Parent Communication - Through resources such as Progress Report, parents can access the student’s grades and see what their child's assignments are and if they have been completing them. Parents and teachers can communicate easily through email.


• Distance Education - Many colleges utilize online classes in which people can earn degrees at home. Some school systems provide online tutoring. There are also many online homeschooling programs


• Global Learning at a Click - With a click of the mouse, children in a classroom in New Jersey can view scientists in the Antarctic or communicate with a class in China. Technology grants children a global perspective.

Disadvantages

• Temptation to Rely on the Computer - Teachers may be tempted to rely on the computer instead of utilizing it as a tool. Children still need teachers to lead them through their education and help them achieve all that they can.


• Technical Difficulties - Of course, with any technology you run the risk of it failing at some point. However, teachers that are using it as a tool will have more in their lesson plan and can come back to the computer when the problem is fixed.