Technology in the classroom is something that when used correctly can bring an added element to a lesson and spark interest in students where there wasn't any before. However, when used incorrectly it can be nothing more than a time filler and actually create negative consequences.
Some topics just lend themselves to be better served by having additional visual/audio material or hands-on activities. It would be a boring lesson on van Gogh's paintings or Debussy's music without being able to see or hear the receptive artist's work. The possibilities for for interactive maps for geography or history lessons seem very attractive. Adding tech into the classroom gives the teacher the opportunity to enhance lessons when appropriate. The possibility of collaboration and group work using technology is also a factor that a teacher should not ignore. Applications like Google Docs gives the teacher a new and more effective way of monitoring the students work and progress. If a teacher has planned out their lesson properly and the tech adds to its effectiveness then it has been a success.
The problem is that too often, tech in the classroom can be used only as a reward or a time killer . If the teacher has not prepared their lesson properly or just wants to keep the students occupied and turns on a screen to show a video unrelated the lesson and may distract students from the original theme of the class. Also using tech in this way or only when they are playing games, basically purely for entertainment, might negatively associates tech in the minds of the students.
The potential for interactive websites, apps on iPads, educational videos and other tech are great as education tools. Teachers should strive to find a proper place for them in the classroom.
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