Technology Usage in Education

Written by:

Endang Asrini Arifiati

1507042025

The Concept of Technology

Technology plays an important role in today’s educational development. The effective use of technology in Education has created more opportunities. It removes boundaries of both students and teachers which enables them to collaborate in real time using advanced educational technologies. It is believed that this technology-based instruction can contribute greatly to the quality of teaching and learning experience, especially when they learn English.

Kaplan (2003) stated that technology is the systems that combine technique and activities with implements and artifacts, within a social context of organization in which the technologies are developed, employed, and administered. Meanwhile, Arthur (2009: 28) defined technology as the entire collection of devices and engineering practices available to a culture. In shorts, Hughes (2004: 3) summarized that technology is a creativity process involving human ingenuity.

As students need support in learning, the use of various technological tools like computers, smart phones, internet and so forth offers students powerful opportunities to learn foreign language easily and effectively. This means that the teachers need also to equip themselves with today's technology in order to balance the ability of students who are familiar and accustomed to using technology. Nomas (2013: 22) confirmed that the effect of technology has become huge in teaching and learning the language in addition to the instructor's role. The role of the instructor together with the role of the technology can lead to advanced learning results (Sharma in Nomas 2013).

Advantages of Technology in Education

Technology has been widely used in classroom because it offers many benefits for students. For students, it promotes independent learning for the students. The reason is that students can learn and find many learning resources without any assistance. They may use their tablet or smartphone to educate themselves. They just need to surf the internet in order to look for the lessons to study. In addition, today educational method require the students to do research online and to share the result to the class.

Technology also makes them easier to access the information so that students no need to bring heavy book. All the information they need can be easily accessed through a thin tablet. In addition, technology also  promotes exciting way to educate students. Because there are lots of images, videos and even educational games that may be found in the computer, students would feel the excitement in studying. This is very important in order to arouse their interest in studying.

For the teacher, technology may simplify their work in classroom. It can help him to creates a paperless classroom, because most students can afford computers, so exams can be assigned to students electronically.

Disadvantages of Technology in Education

Despite its advantages, technology brings some disadvantages which must be taken into account. It creates students' laziness in Studying. As computers make it so easy for students to find answers the teacher gives, this may result in them having poor study habits. It also tends to distract their learning focus because they will use their gadget for entertainment purpose while in the classroom. Furthermore, if the technology is not used wisely, it will make students forget about the basic way of studying. They would no longer rely on the books t to study since they are already interested to study using the computer. Even today, when facing simple problems and homework, students prefers seeking the assistance of computers already like google or yahoo website.

Bibliography

Nomass, Bassma B. 2013. The Impact of Using Technology in Teaching English as a Second Language. English Language and Literature Studies; Vol. 3, No. 1. ISSN 1925-4768 E-ISSN 1925-4776

Altun, Mustafa. . 2015. The Integration of Technology Into Foreign Language Teaching. International Journal on New Trends in Education and Their Implications. Volume: 6 Issue: 1 Article: 03 ISSN 1309-6249

Hughes, Thomas. 2004. Human-Built World: How to Think about Technology and Culture. London: University of Chicago Press. ISBN-13: 978-0226359342 ISBN-10: 0226359344

Thierer, Adam. 2014. Defining Technology. An article published on The Technology Liberation Front. Retrieved from the URL https://techliberation.com/2014/04/29/defining-technology/ on December 26th, 2016

Advantages and Disadvantages of Technology in Education. Retrieved from the URL http://occupytheory.org/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-technology-in-education/ on December 26th, 2016

Ramey, Karehka. 2013. What is Technology – Meaning of technology and Its Use. Retrieved from the URL http://www.useoftechnology.com/what-is-technology/ on December 26th, 2016