How does technology affects literacy(ies) - Essay Example

At least 50 per cent of the primary schools and 75 per cent of the secondary schools in the UK have installed wireless internet systems (Paton). A literate person in the present age is expected to make a positive contribution in the development of systems, and from this perspective, the use of Wi-Fi technology in schools is a must since it is a cost-effective solution to the wired technology, improves students’ academic performance, and provides freedom of movement which greatly facilitates research work and provides both the students and the teachers with a lot of flexibility, though the Wi-Fi technology is suspected to have some negative effects on health and students may misuse the time in school in playing games or social networking.

Positive Effects of Wi-Fi Technology in Schools Cost-effectiveness In the contemporary educational setting, the importance of the Wi-Fi technology cannot be overemphasized. “With equipment substantially more cost-effective and flexible than wired alternatives, Wi-Fi is suitable for the smallest schoolhouses to multiple-square-kilometer campuses” (“Wi-Fi in Schools”). Improved academic performance Many educationalists have found a very positive impact of the use of Wi-Fi in schools on the academic performance of the students. . & Sixth Form College implemented a policy at his school according to which every student was given one laptop; a year later, they assessed its impact on the students’ academic performance He was very optimistic about the findings of the experiment: “I like to think that made a very positive impact, for the first year we got an outstanding grade from Ofsted” (Paes cited in Hall).

Freedom of movement Wi-Fi provides the students as well as teachers with freedom of movement and obviates the need to be at a specific place to use the computer. “Wi-Fi compatibility provides for use at hotspots throughout the country such as cafes, coffee shops, hotels, restaurants, and universities” (Mastrian et al.). This benefit is of extreme importance in the research work since students have to visit all such places to collect the data and correspond with the tutors. Negative Effects of Use of Wi-Fi Technology in School Health Risks Some teachers are concerned about the potential health risks that might be caused by the use of wireless computer networks in the schools.

One case has particularly caught their attention in which Wi-Fi is suspected to be a cause of health issues experienced by a classics teacher Michael Bevington at the Stowe School of Buckinghamshire, who “had never had any problems before the Wi-Fi. When it was put into his classroom, he suffered nausea, blinding headaches and a lack of concentration. When the school removed the Wi-Fi his condition improved” (BBC News). Experts have expressed that the location of the Wi-Fi device matters a lot.

The suspected health risks can still be avoided if the Wi-Fi device is placed at a location that is at a considerable height rather than just over the desk. Misuse of time “Cell phones traditionally have a bad