What Technological Development Has Presented to Us: Types of Gadgets
What are the devices people imagine when hearing the word “gadget”? Just some of the most popular — smartphones, laptops, tabs, or any other devices used in the class room. At the same time, they’re the basic teaching and learning tools. Using technology in classrooms, students and teachers create, keep, and share:- PowerPoint presentations
- PDFs
- Images
- Videos
- Tests
- Articles
- Worksheets
- Homework assignments
- Diagrams
- Useful literature & sources
- Bluetooth speakers
- Projectors
- VR headset
- Robots
- Whiteboards
- E-Readers
- Headphones
- Smartwatches
- 3D Printers
- Smart Tables
- Digital Papers
- Holograms
- The 3Doodlers, etc.
Why We Can’t Learn Without Gadgets Anymore
The COVID-19 pandemic triggered a real revolution in education. Nowadays, teleconferencing, online lectures, the learning of materials from gadgets, online tests, and even online exams and graduations are everyday activities. Although there are both pros and cons of cell phones, uses of phones become inevitable. Schools and university administrations set up accounts on online platforms to offer courses, hold videoconferences, organize curricula, and create engaging educational communities. In 2019, we couldn’t even imagine we will experience such drastic changes the learning in 2020. According to UNESCO, more than 1 billion students globally were affected by school closures. Remote learning became the main mode not only for those who practiced homeschooling. That is why the pros and cons of phones become a much-discussed topic here and there. Source: https://www.envisionexperience.com/blog/5-tech-gadgets-and-gear-to-make-remote-learning-easier And after the pandemic, the educational process will never be the same. It will inherit e-learning flexibility. Although the classes are unlikely to take place over online educational platforms completely, the current learning mode will be implemented, continued, and advanced on a large scale. And that will comprise both cell phones pros and cons as the system gets modified. This way, future hybrid education will keep some methods and achievements of distance learning and reinforce the active use of gadgets. The current schooling is impossible without gadgets, so they will always be a significant part of the process. It is irreversible. But does it contribute to learning? Should gadgets be allowed during class hours further? Are there benefits of using cellphones? Or, perhaps, it’s all about the cons of cell phones? Let’s figure it out!Using Gadgets During Classes: 7 Downsides
The statement that the extensive usage of gadgets brings only benefits is not quite correct. There are some significant cons of phones and other digital devices. As for the cons and pros of gadgets, they can affect children’s physical and mental health, academic performance, socialization process, and safety. All of them lead to the conclusion that gadgets’ implementation must be limited and focused on the primary purpose. So, what are the downsides of gadget use? What are the reasons using phones in school should be banned?Socialization Problems
It’s obvious that using cell phones in the classroom, frequent chatting, playing video games, and interacting with smartphones in general lead to the lack of face-to-face social interaction. When everything is done through a gadget, students limit communication with classmates in real life. Social interaction between them is reduced to class hours. Unfortunately, it’s a fact. For the modern generation, asking Google how to write a Literature essay is easier than asking their peers. With the use of cellphones in schools, today’s students have become extremely dependent on gadgets. And if students interact with peers, it’s preferable for them to do it via messengers. Now, students prefer to make friends on Facebook rather than in real life. They even start virtual dates in addition to using technology in the classroom. As a result, students have become more involved with gadgets and virtual communication with phones allowed in school. One of the cons of techs is that they may have a long-term impact on all aspects of their future life: college admissions, employment, building relationships, traveling, etc.Addiction
Whether it’s using technology in the elementary classroom or college, students are addicted to social media. Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and Likee are standard elements of the popular apps pack. And all these uses of technology to like photos or find proper emojis for comment during classes is a common problem. Moreover, using smartphones in the classroom, many students rely on technology so much that they get out of control when using their phones and become easily irritable or even aggressive when they can’t or are not allowed to use gadgets. Should cellphones be allowed in schools in that case? Definitely not.Distraction
Source: https://bsmknighterrant.org/2018/03/16/many-distractions-affect-students-on-a-daily-basis/ As for the most common cons of cell phones in school, it is obvious that students easily get distracted by the use of mobile phone when:- Playing video games
- Messaging
- Scrolling photos
- Making photos
- Watching videos…
Cybersecurity Issues
Typically, students don’t care about safety and security when they surf the web, use of technology in classrooms, and install apps and other software on their phones and tablets. It is a serious problem because information leakage can make them victims of cyberattacks or fraud. Also, kids can get access to information that can have a negative impact on their mental health, whether in a class or at home. That’s why it’s critical to discuss the basics of appropriate online behavior and safe communication, as well as consider all pros and cons of phones in schools.Lack of Tech Support
The use of electronics in school needs solid support. And not every school can afford prompt and professional maintenance of electronic equipment. Let’s imagine a quite real situation when a teacher plans a lesson completely relying on devices. And for some reason, everything goes wrong with them. They just won’t work. The same applies to students’ personal use of technology in classroom for learning purposes. The “It doesn’t work” issue can happen to anyone. And it can be a great obstacle to the education process. Should cellphones be allowed at school? This point raises a range of doubts.Inequality and Discrimination
Yes, gadgets can lead to discrimination between students. Some of them have the newest and costlier ones, while others — settle for less. When phones in the classroom are allowed, many children from the first group tend to boast about it, pay more attention to smartphone functions than classes, and show off. Besides, those who can’t afford the recently upgraded, more powerful devices may not have equal and adequate possibilities for studying. Thus, no cell phones in class don’t sound like a bad idea.Health Issues
It’s well-known that overuse of gadgets encourages a sedentary lifestyle and causes serious health problems. Unregulated uses of cellphone tend to cause:- Neck and back pain
- Obesity
- Poor posture
- Eyestrain
- Stress
- Musculoskeletal disorders
- Weight gain and obesity
- Hand pain
- Sleep disorders, etc.