There has long been controversy over personal technologies place in the classroom with it’s potential distractions and constant evolution. Most teachers seem to be taking an ‘on the fence’ stance over the topic. Most see it as both an advancement and a distraction, useful but also not trustworthy.
“I feel like technology in general is very helpful,” Mrs. Perez, a spanish teacher said, “like if I walk my students down to the computer lab it’s very beneficial but as for personal tech it’s too distracting. I just don’t think students have the self discipline.”
While personal technology has been shown to assist the classroom environment, it has also been shown to be incredibly distracting to students. Studies have shown that movement or flashing in your peripheral vision is actually more distracting. Generally a phone on a desk is right in this area of vision. An alert or notification appearing on said phone is more distracting than if the phone were directly in front of the student. Even if the phone is in the pocket of the person, the noise and feeling of the vibration is distracting and arouses curiosity.
Mrs. Duffin said, “I really don’t know what i think because I see the advantages of using it but I also see the distractions.”
While technology has a very glaring issue with distractions, it has been shown to work wonders in elementary schools. Students that were given access to personal technology had a rise in attention span, more self esteem in their work, and a more individual ways to solve problems. The students who were given technology paid more attention and seemed more eager to participate in class activities.
“In my personal opinion, I feel [personal tech] is a distraction but that may be because I don’t really know how to use it well.” Duffin said.
Part of the issue with technology in the classroom seems to be its constant evolution. A fair amount of teachers aren’t used to technology evolving at such an incredible rate. Personal technology was slowly evolving until the late 2000’s. From that point, it has grown and adapted at a tremendous rate and shows no sign of slowing. Teachers and even students can’t quite keep up with the speed of these evolutions, especially with the sheer price of these new versions.