Technology use evolving in schools

Technology has made an undeniable impact on the education system in schools across the country. Many schools have adapted too and become fully integrated with technology, and it is simply a part of the education system at this point. Laptops are an essential resource, something that would be very difficult to go without in a modern school. Since its introduction, it has posed many smaller challenges that have since been adapted too. The issues of attention spans, different forms of cheating are two of the most common negative effects that are brought up when questioning the impact of technology in schools, but both of them get heavily outweighed by the positive impact of technology. It has opened many creative pathways, and was a huge quality of life upgrade for both students and teachers. Computers are essential tools in many school systems and for good reason. 

But is it possible that technology could be making things almost too easy? Just as important as it is to be able to function with computers, it is equally as important to be able to function without them, which could be an issue that we start seeing. Students have started to realize that with just a phone with them, they can perform even complex math, translate from hundreds of different languages, and search the internet for just about anything they might have a question on in terms of knowledge. In response to this, education has truly become less about just learning the material, but about the application of knowledge. Computers can teach you something, but they often struggle with teaching you how to directly apply it. 

But now AI has sprung up, and already can take many writing related assignments and do the work with just the click of a button. It raises the question of, in 20 years, will school still be a necessity, and could technology eventually replace an education system that has been in place for over 100 years? Or will continue to adapt, or maybe take measures now to begin halting the implementation of technology early. 

Kent Engels, a technology expert at the highschool, doesn’t think so. He believes that schools should continue to adapt as they always have. However, this time, a lot of the change is going to have to come from students. With AI continuing to develop at such a rapid rate, it’s all but impossible for regulations to be put in place at a similar speed. Because of this, students are able to use AI to be lazy, and not do a majority of the work. Engels, among others, believes that not only these actions, but this mindset, is going to become an issue later in the lives of students. 

So is the answer simply that schools should stop implementing technology now? As new as AI is, the question itself is older than you might think. Calculators are a very commonplace tool within a school. They are directly connected to education at this point, but when they were first introduced, involving them in education was an unpopular idea, since they made it easier to do calculations. Now you could consider a calculator an essential tool, especially for math. 

Ultimately, yes, new technology will continue to integrate into schools, whether people like it or not. But that process is gradual, and it takes time. During this time it is up to students to decide if they will put in the work or take an easy way out.