Technology in the classroom: How much is enough?

Do students need more access to computers and technology in today's modern classroom? Or less?

Wed, Feb 08 2012 at 2:00 PM

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Education, Technology, Schools

Where is the future of education headed? Our kids are connected to gadgets and plugged into technology at earlier and earlier ages to the point where many find their use inevitable and even critical to a child's education. But interestingly, a strange trend has emerged amongst those tasked with creating all of this technology. They're sending their kids to schools that don't use any gadgets — no iPads, no computers, no screens of any kind. And they're keeping their kids away from gadgets at home, too. Do these parents know something about technology that the rest of us should know too?

The story first emerged a few months ago, in this New York Times piece about the latest trend among parents working in Silicon Valley — the hub of technology and home of techie giants such as Google, Apple, Yahoo and Hewlett-Packard. These parents are sending their kids to schools that follow the Waldorf style of teaching. Waldorf schools rely on simple tools: pencils, knitting needles, or even mud rather than video games, apps, and e-readers to teach modern school lessons. In fact, the Waldorf philosophy says that computers inhibit creative thinking, movement, human interaction and attention spans. According to the Times article, many Silicon Valley execs agree, claiming there is a time and a place for technology and that the school years are just not the right time.

Jane Quadri, a Waldorf-trained teacher who taught my eldest in a neighborhood co-op pre-K program had this to say about technology in the classroom: "I think early childhood is the most important time for learning and establishing how we relate to the world. Exploring the real world, interacting with people and nature is how we learn about ourselves and develop character. I really don't think technology is a necessary part of this process and can be detrimental to it. I also think having a relationship with a teacher is essential to the learning process. I do believe there are creative ways to use technology — but given the sad state of public education, I doubt many schools will be able to provide innovative and forward-thinking tech programs."

So is technology a benefit or a detriment to the classroom?

I posed this question during a weekly twitter chat I host each week with members of the Green Moms Carnival.

Abbie of Farmer's Daughter (@farmdaughter), a high school science teacher specializing in environmental science, botany, biology, and physics is a big proponent of technology in the classroom, using it for everything from a class website to link to articles and assign readings to a laptop and smart board so that the students can plot local contamination sites. She also allows her students to use iPads and laptops for taking notes, but she walks around frequently to make sure that's what's actually happening. Abbie sees this generation of students as "technology natives," who have never known life without these gadgets and commented that she "would love to find a way to incorporate all those tiny computers in (almost) everyone's pockets to use for GOOD in my class!"

Abbie was not alone in embracing technology. In fact, most of the Twitter chat participants thought technology in the classroom is a good thing, as long as it's used to teach and not just to keep kids busy. Karen Hanrahan of Best of Mother Earth (@karenhanrahan) felt that technology helped keep her kids stay engaged in the classroom and even negotiated with teachers for her son to do more with computers (building websites) to keep him from getting bored. And Lisa Sharp of Retro Housewife Goes Green (@retrohousewife5) was homeschooled but relied heavily on computers because her dyslexia made it easier to type her lessons than write them.

Lisa's husband, Justin Sharp, a 5th grade teacher from Oklahoma, also chimed in "The key is that students should be learning with technology not from it. If activities are designed well students can learn with a greater depth of knowledge than a traditional setup. And the major benefits are the access to amazing resources, interaction from a distance, and student enjoyment/interest."

Still the debate rages on about the need and desire for computers and other gadgets in the classroom. Are we cheating our children by not introducing them to technology as soon as possible in this modern world? Or should we back off and keep the technology to a minimum until kids have learned how to think critically and creatively without the guidance of the latest app?

What do you think?

MNN homepage photo of kids: Shutterstock; Rail tease of boy: Shutterstock

The opinions expressed by MNN Bloggers and those providing comments are theirs alone, and do not reflect the opinions of MNN.com. While we have reviewed their content to make sure it complies with our Terms and Conditions, MNN is not responsible for the accuracy of any of their information.

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Comments: 6

GardenGreen Angel Feb 13 2012 at 11:45 AM

We've been encouraged to view 'technology' in the classroom as an enhancement of education. For young children without disabilities, technology can quickly become a crutch and a tool to turn off parts of the brain. Yes, it is easier to skim over a document on line, or to hear from a expert deep in research in the jungle, but a four-year old stops questioning, stops creating, stops imagining when too much is imagined and answered for him, not with him. They lose touch with the real world of nature,

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human nature, even if they can name 45 animals that live on PBS shows. I struggle with the dichotomy and contradiction each day as I post outside nature activities on a website. GardenGreenAngels.com

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Angela Feb 11 2012 at 10:38 AM

It's not about technology - it's about understanding how children learn and brain development and physical development. Until the early elementary school the most effective way a child learns is in developing ALL the learning pathways, sight, touch, smell, hearing and personal interaction. There been so many studies that show that without personal interaction and too much tv children do not develop fully. Kept indoors with television and "technology" including music at the touch of a button they

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do not develop the creativity and self esteem and critical thinking. AI child cannot draw a perfect picture without a lot of time scribbling,and developing the complex skill development. Learning how to sing develops understanding of inflection -differentiate sounds and inflection (emotional intelligence) They also sense that their efforts are not as "good" as what they can do without technology. Like anything technology can be a crutch and prevent development or in limited use it can enhance after the roots are strong and a solid foundation is created. Just as making children walk too soon can damage their spine and allowing and encouraging them to crawl actually enhances brain development and physical strength - so it is with technology - at the right time and not too much too soon. They aren't performing monkeys so you can brag about how bright they are - or how soon they learned to read. It's about finding out who they are and helping them develop their own personality and becoming a well-rounded compassionate person.

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Sean Feb 09 2012 at 12:20 PM

One thing that MNN must understand is that the correct technology will not hinder a child's growth, but on the contrary, enhance it. Textbooks are totally inadequate when it comes to learning...the content is outdated almost the second it's printed, they're heavy, previous students mark them up, and there is a very 2-dimensional view of the topic! I strongly encourage anyone who took the time to read this article (and my comment) to watch this video about how Apple has teamed up with major text book

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providers including McGraw Hill and Pearson to enhance the way children learn...which in retrospect, is the most important aspect of this discussion. http://events.apple.com.edgesuite.net/1201oihbafvpihboijhpihbasdouhbasv/...

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Sil Feb 13 2012 at 1:04 PM

Is your understanding of learning so narrow that the only two educational tools you can think of are textbooks and computers? I grew up in a Montessori school, where our classrooms were filled with a rich variety of objects, creative supplies and tactile tools that fostered learning, creativity AND critical thinking. The Maria Montessori philosophy is an environment where children learn through experience and a communal learning process. Children are grouped together in classrooms in clusters

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of 3 "grades" and practice both learning and teaching each other, working together to find solutions to puzzles and questions. The teachers do not stand at the front and dictate from a textbook, but rather work with the students to facilitate and environment of curiosity, persistence and patience. This classroom experience is enhanced by field trips and independent projects. To portray textbooks as the ONLY alternative to a technology filled classroom is a poor representation of the educational possibilities that we all must consider.

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Dominika, Waldo... Feb 09 2012 at 9:14 AM

When a child grows it is introduced to new things throughout its life. The point is to introduce just the right amount, just the right thing at a specific age. That is the only way for our inner development and also physical development. In my opinion children should not be introduced to "technology" in early age, not even when they are in elementary schools. Creation of images in our "imagination" is far more important then seeing the images in front of our eyes. Creating with our hands by touching

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natural things like wood, water, leaves, sand and so on brings us closer to our true existence, it grounds us, this is how we gain understanding and confidence. There is time in life for everything, so why rush into things? There is a reason we do not feed a steak to the babies :) Let children be children. Let them experience the world as it is, explore for themselves, collect bugs, plant seeds, watch them grow. That is the true nature of the cycle of life. Technology can wait. Unfortunately everyone "catches" it sooner or later... :)