Teaching Vs Technology. The Great Debate about Laptops in Classrooms.

In a world where technology runs ramped, mobile technology can be found everywhere from cellphones to laptops. This technology is able to be used on the road, in a coffee shop or in meetings where as before, you had to be in an office tied down to a dedicated machine. Recently an increasing number of laptops are finding there way into classrooms worldwide. Some educators are concern that possibly laptops are not changing learning for the better. Some schools that use computers as part of their curriculum are being scrutinized by others.

It's important to remember that laptops are not here to change the learning process. It's not just about having a laptop replacing a pen and paper but merging technology with academics. The need for teacher/student communication must improve as technology becomes part of the curriculum. Teachers must become facilitators in the learning process and encourage each student to become more involved in the learning process.

Laptops in the classroom open up a new way of teaching theories. It can be the key ingredient to learning. Just think about it… Physics students now have a way to breakdown radioactive materials and see it right in front of them. Math students will be able to utilize spreadsheets to apply their logic and see them really work. English teachers can evaluate peers poetry and prose. What a much better way for our children to learn. Access to other additional knowledge is endless with the use of greater technology. This will enable students of all learning abilities to be able to grasp the theories that they are taught.

As for what the students think about using this technologically advanced method to learning, most feel that it is a refreshing change in learning. Instead of getting out of date static texts they can see breaking news as it happens. It is much more useful to the learning process for the teachers to be able to show relevancy to daily life.

It's no way around it. The need for laptops will continue to grow as an available tool to have in the classroom. It will have to be monitored closely to avoid problems, but the benefits that it will bring to learning are phenomenal. Soon the so called naysayers will need to go along with it.

Jaxxon McVee is a retired computer programmer who currently works in Computer Sales assisting clients in the proper equipment and software that they will need for their businesses.