Positive Impact of Technology on Students Success - Research Paper Example

Positive Impact of Technology on Success Introduction Advancement in technology has greatly impacted on the way people live during this information age. With the appreciation by Gulek and Demirtas (6) that technology increasingly dominates the society and the community, the student community has been greatly impacted. Technology and specifically the Internet have been associated with socialization and communication with family and friends among students (Gemmill, and Peterson 281). Even so, there exist various ways through which technologies could be used to enhance success among students. The technological devices, including simple tool-based applications, video devices, online repositories, computers and handheld devices, have found wide application in various learning institutions and among students across the globe. Thus, this research paper aims at analyzing how technology has caused students to experience success through accessibility of materials, choice of convenient learning styles and enhancement of technological proficiency. Technology makes learning materials available to students, thus greater access, which increases the body of knowledge from which students learn from. Web browsers provide students with opportunities to find information on whatever subject. In fact, they provide more current materials than most school libraries do (Gemmill, and Peterson 281). Among the materials that students stand to benefit from the Internet include up-to-date tutorials and research papers. Software tools like spreadsheets, concept maps and databases allow these students to organize and evaluate whatever data they access online. In addition, the accessed materials teach students to create work that depicts a high sense of professionalism, thus expanding the knowledge of such students. Another important information which technology, particularly the Internet, provides include comparison information on various learning institutions (Rambe 272). When seeking for an institution that would meet a student’s needs, it would be critical to get information on the various available options. The Internet provides information on the location, specialties and fees structure of such institutions. Furthermore, the global rankings of such institutions help students make informed choices of which institution to join. Rightful decisions enhance the desirable performance among students. Secondly, technology provides more convenient learning approaches which make learning comfortable and consequently boost students’ concentration in academics. In classrooms, many teachers have adopted digital media to foster students’ skills. According to (Muir-Herzig 114), teachers use technological applications to simulate real-world phenomena to enable students execute authentic assignments as real workers would. Audio and video technology stimulates young minds which facilitates learning. The incorporation of pictures, animation and sound makes multimedia enhance recalling of basic facts among students as well as enhancing their understating of systems considered to be complex. Technology allows for learning in an institution of choice from whatever location in the world through distance learning which enables students to learn conveniently. The constructivist learning and teaching model cited by Muir-Herzig (114) indicates that due to the complexity of tasks brought about by technology, students’ motivation to learn increases. For example, as observed from a study by Gulek and Demirtas (29), students using laptops engage more in collaborative work than those without and further get motivated in writing their assignments, producing high quality work of greater length. They explore topics on their own, spending more time working on their school projects. The collaboration with other students through appropriate platforms such as social media enables students to tap into the available opportunities (Rambe 272). Whatever the preferred mode of learning, students leverage on technology to meet their learning needs. Students who familiarize with technology become more proficient users of such technologies, not only during their studies, but even in their career lives. Even the most basic technologies could prepare students to be more productive. For example, Gemmill and Peterson (282) observe that students using a keyboard to write do it faster than those using a pen. Because of the simplicity of using a keyboard to write, such students write more, with their speeds increasing with more usage. Such students gain more confidence, learn more in school and become more productive at work due to their acquaintance to such technologies applicable both in school and work environment. Technology has found itself into many careers with Chibber giving the example of how iPads, handheld technological devices, have found wide application on cockpits of planes and the media such as Radio Disney. Thus, an early exposure to such technologies produces students with knowledge on operation of technological devices. Such students become better placed to work in environments that have adopted technological operations, hence become more productive workers. Even so, opponents of technology’s positive impact on students’ success cite disruption, cheating and cyber bullying as ways through which technology hampers success among the students. Students have technological devices, including mobile phones and the Internet, which could cause them not to concentrate on academics. Such devices could also be used during exams to improperly gain access to answers. The Internet provides a platform where students could harass their peers for their selfish gains, referred to as cyber bullying. According to Chibber, all these could cause a decline in the performance of the involved students. However, Rambe (272) observes that the negative outcome on student learning as a result of technology availability points to the lack of understanding of proper use of technology. Otherwise, technology aims at making human life easier and more productive. In the same manner, for maximum gains to be reaped from technology, one needs to observe self discipline and refrain from behaviors that could jeopardize the realized or potential gains. Technology should be applied when needed and at the rightful place for valid and ethical reasons. Conclusion Technology remains to be part of human life in the foreseeable future. Used as a supplement to traditional education and not as replacement, technology offers greater benefits to students which makes them successful, not only in school, but even later in their careers. It empowers students to observe, listen, think critically, research and make meaningful deductions. By propagating access to materials, allowing for a choice of convenient learning style and enhancing technology proficiency, technology promotes success among students, both academically and beyond. Even so, proper usage and technological discipline ensures that technology serves the intended purpose and in no way causes harm. Works Cited Chibber, K. “Online Education Disrupting Traditional Academic Models.” Bbc.co.uk. BBC News Business. 12 Nov. 2012. Web. 24 Oct. 2013. Gemmill, E., and Michael Peterson. “Technology Use Among College Students: Implications for Students Affairs Professional.” NASPA Journal 43.2 (2006): 280 – 300. Gulek, James C., and Hakan Demirtas. “Learning with Technology: The Impact of Laptop Use on Student Achievement. The Journal of Technology, Learning, and Assessment 3.2 (2005): 1 – 39. Muir-Herzig, Rozalind G. “Technology and its Impact in the Classroom.” Computers and Education 42.1 (2004): 111 – 131. Rambe, P. “Exploring the Impacts of Social Networking Sites on Academic Relations in the University.” Journal of Information Technology Education 10 (2011): 271 – 293. Read More