Technological Advancement in the Modern World - Essay Example

Argumentative essay

The modern world has an increment of technological advancement, which has become a significant aspect of peoples' lives. The use of essential gadgets like smartphones and computers are beneficial gadgets used for easy communication purposes. In the contemporary education system, the number of students using smartphones has an alarming rate despite the restrictions in some institutions. However, some educational institution encourages the use of digital gadgets such as computers, laptops, and i-pads for active learning. Therefore, the use of smartphones remains a controversial aspect in the educational context, whether students should continue using smartphones or not. Studies indicate that the use of cell phones has both pros and cons within the school. Some individuals argue that cell phones may cause disruptions and irritations while learning, while others claim that cell phones provide safety and allow easy communication among students. The essay's primary objective is to explore the pros and cons of using cell phones among students in an educational context. Besides, the argument will create awareness of the beneficial aspects of using smartphones in learning institutes.

The audiences for the discussion are students, teachers’ parents, and all stakeholders governing learning institutes since they are the typical target for the message. Generally, there exist significant advantages associated with using smartphones in schools by students. The contemporary educational system provides a design where technological gadgets such as laptops, I-pads, and projectors are significant during teaching and demonstration purposes. Besides, teachers may use their laptops and laptops for presentation during a lesson. With the available technology, the student too may use their smartphones in conducting research and for reading purposes. Notably, smartphones are potential gadgets used by students to promote their learning experience during classroom studies. For example, the usage of smartphones among students allows easy sharing of information and supports immediate connection to classwork and assignments. Furthermore, teachers may not necessarily use hardcopies and printouts while giving students a topic for discussion; instead, they can access the relevant materials through their phones. With the help of the internet and Google, teachers can share their learning materials with students to access them easily. Additionally, smartphones have adequate storage, which allows daily storage of information to provide students with instant access to data even while at home.

Students can record the lectures during classwork so that they can revisit the lectures in their provided time zones. Technology has changed the educational system in the contemporary world, as many people seek to learn more. Unlike computers, smartphones are portable, which allows easy access to information to students without inconveniencies. Besides, smartphones have high-resolution screens that provide a straightforward display of data. When blended with sufficient hardware for storage, students can store volumes of information through their phones. Furthermore, smartphones allow access to e-learning resources and online books and journals which are relevant for students. Cell phones can act as calculators during a mathematics class since the cost of regular calculators has become relatively high. With cell phones, students can easily substitute the calculators since they both serve the same purpose efficiently. Smartphones give students a chance of accessing online courses and following the presentation of lessons online. Advanced technology creates a condition where both teachers and students can obtain relevant information through their smartphones instantly. Despite the denial of using smartphones in exams, teachers can administer quizzes and tests through the students' smartphones though it may encourage cheating.

Generally, mobile phones are helpful in communication for both students and teachers; thus, they can guarantee safety in case of emergency issues at school. Disasters are unavoidable in peoples’ daily livelihoods, especially in the learning environment. Therefore mobile phones allow contact between different authorities in the school. Students can use their mobile phones in contacting the police, parents, or teachers in case of a disaster or rescheduling of a program. Most students fall victim to bad groups due to the influence of peer pressure. As a result, students engage in drug abuse and end up getting bullied or abused. Frequently, the effects of immoral behaviours among the students may lead to death and unnecessary injuries. However, other students can reveal the information to the police, teachers, parents, or relevant authorities to prevent harmful consequences through the aid of a phone. Bullying is on the rising edge in different schools; thus, the cell phones allow shy students to raise their grievances and seek help from the relevant authorities. Smartphones are necessary for communication purposes and should be allowed in schools. Students can engage their colleagues in group discussions using smartphones and share essential information through video calls using online platforms such as Whatsapp and pizza.com. The online platforms are primarily social networks for shy students, where they can ask questions as compared to asking questions in the classrooms. While at home, teachers can send the students crucial information through text messages to avoid uncertainties for a particular situation, like postponing a lesson.

Experts in technology argue that conveyance of information to students encourages emotional welfare and positive growth among students. Technology is an essential aspect of teaching students as it promotes productivity among users. Children who get access to new technology are likely to become more productive as compared to those who cannot access the gadgets. Besides, the primary objective of educating students is to prepare them for handling challenges and for future responsibilities. Through the adoption of technology, students can think critically and make informed decisions while striving to achieve success. Based on such information, school curriculums should promote the usage of smartphones among students to equip them with relevant details as early as possible.

Despite the benefits of allowing smartphones in schools, the continuous use of smartphones has other adverse challenges to students. Due to the negative consequences associated with the use of mobile phones, some parents and teachers disapprove of the use of mobile phones among students in schools. Cell phones are great distractions to students; due to their irrelevant applications in the context of learning, some students spend most of their time on social media platforms such as twitter, youtube, and Snapchat. Other students spend time streaming unnecessary videos, which may hinder their learning process. As a result, of lack of concentration and loss of focus, the distracted students end up failing in their exams consistently. Because of the distractions, students should have restrictions on the frequency of using their phones. Cyberbullying is a common scenario among students where some students use their phones for inappropriate actions. For instance, other students might intimidate their colleagues by taking embarrassing photos and post them on social media platforms. As a result, they use the pictures for threatening purposes to manipulate the owners of the photographs.

Consequently, students may take advantage of their phones to cheat on an examination. Phones make students feel secure due to the backup of information stored in the phones; thus, reducing a student's concentration and even poor performance. Yet if the student does not indulge cheating, generally, the understanding level of students usually deteriorates. Furthermore, students lose critical thinking on how to relate the materials taught in class in a real-life situation. Besides, cheating creates injustice among the students who apply their mental efforts in comparison to those who use external sources for their tests. While smartphones may promote engagement through different channels, it can as well lower individual interaction among students. Students will often rely on their phones to access information and pay less concentration to teamwork and group discussions. Relatively, research indicates that cell phones may cause diverse effects on students’ mental health and emotional problems to students. Adults can usually manage how to moderate and limit their time while using their phones while students lack self-control in using their phones; thus, it may cause social interference among students. Allowing smartphones in schools can promote theft among students, as some may be jealous of others and steal their phones. Besides, it may encourage competition among students as some will brag about their latest models, thus creating intimidation to the rest. Other people argue that since most schools have computers, phones are unnecessary since students can obtain all the information they require by accessing their school computers.

Conclusively, smartphones prove to be more beneficial for both students and teachers. Therefore, in my opinion, I would support mobile phone usage in schools. Since the favorable aspects outweigh the adverse effects of using mobile phones, learning institutions should allow the student to carry their phones to schools. However, teachers should restrict the students on the frequency of the usage and inspect students before an examination to avoid cheating. Stakeholders and educators should encourage students to adopt new technologies to improve the performance of grades among students and allow them to access relevant information using their phones. Smartphones are relative of much importance when used appropriately.