SLAS Times 2016/2017 Fall 2016 | Page 22

CLASSROOM TECHNOLOGY ENHANCES QUALITY & LEARNING BY JAMES MA In today’s digital world, people are increasingly reliant on their technology to complete their daily tasks. What is today’s temperature? Where is a close Mexican restaurant? How tall is the Empire State Building? A couple seconds searching on your smart phone, and you have all the answers you need. As the digital age evolves, one of the inherent benefits of the ever- growing human advancement, which we call technology, is education. Smart Boards, PowerPoint’s, videos, computers, and tablets, all of which may improve “learning” as we know it to a new level. venture into the 21st century, technology is becoming increasingly predominant. Tablets are replacing textbooks, Smart Boards are replacing blackboards, and we can research just about anything we want on our smart phones. “I couldn’t imagine having to write all of my work on paper and I hate using paperback dictionaries,” stated Shawn Lupori, a junior at SLAS. According to Shawn, technology can help teachers explain things in an easier and clearer way. This is evident with the use of PowerPoint’s, in which lessons can be demonstrated “Losing technology in class is like losing my arm,” said visually in ways students can understand. To students, Mr. Ronald Esposito, a history teacher at Shanghai technology, especially computers, may increase Livingston American School (SLAS). Mr. Esposito working and learning effectiveness. utilizes many pieces of technology in the classroom to increase teaching efficiency, such as a computer, a With the growth of our digital age, technology has been Smart Board, a projector, as well as an online education more and more paramount in every facet of our lives. platform called Edmodo, where he posts class work, Education, for instance, can be strengthened, homework, and even class PowerPoint’s. According to stimulated, and improved with our many technological Mr. Esposito, “teachers should use technology in class creations. Using technology as a benefit to learning will because so much of our age is based off of technology.” help people acquire knowledge with ease and with With his PowerPoint’s, videos, and interactive learning, efficiency. Education is thus unlimited with Smart students in his classes are not only understanding Boards, videos, computers, websites, and smart material better, but are also completing work with phones, which altogether create a fun, productive, and tenfold efficiency. competitive learning environment for future generations. According to a CompTIA study, 90% of all teens believe that utilizing technology in the classroom will help them prepare for the future in the digital world. As we 22