Computers were first present in classrooms around the 1960’s. Twenty years later, only a few teachers really knew how to use a computer, but now, nearly every teacher in the U.S. knows how to use a computer and has one in his or her classroom. When looking around, it is becoming more evident that technology is growing at a rapid pace. More than 90% of schools in the U.S. have computers available for students. With technology being constantly available, is this helping or hurting students?

Padua embraced new technology when, in 2003, the first smart boards were installed in the science labs. Throughout the years, Padua has been adding smart boards in almost all classrooms. In the summer of 2010, the school added the Mac Lab and has added new classes with a technology element.  These classes include: Multimedia Journalism, Communication Arts, and Television and Video Production. Multimedia Journalism offers an online student news site featuring pictures, videos, and up-to-date articles.  While Multimedia Journalism is writing articles, Communication Arts is making online blogs, and Television and Video Production is filming in the newly added television studio. In addition to the technology Padua provides, students contribute by bringing in their own laptops and iPads.

Teachers at Padua are also taking part in this technological advance. This year, teachers use many websites to communicate with their students such as wikispaces, haiku, and google groups. Texting is even allowed in the classroom when teachers use wiffitti.com, a website that enables students to text in their answers anonymously. Teachers also make use of a new program on Youtube.com/education. This safe program offers updated educational videos with no inappropriate comments.
Research done by Temple University reported that students in a classroom where computers were used for educational purposes, were more active in classes and had better grades than students who did not have computers available to them during class. Even though laptops proved to be helpful in many situations, some professors in colleges such as West Point University, found the typing annoying and distracting.

Based on the research, technology in classrooms sounds like a good idea. However, there are many disadvantages. Abby Hidalgo (‘14) said,” I think its good to have technology in the classroom, especially for my Spanish class. It gives me visual aid for the new concept.” With all the responsibility that comes with having a laptop or iPad in class, students can abuse the opportunity by easily accessing social networks, play games, or communicate with other students through instant messaging.

Technology does not end in the classroom. About 97% of all students have a laptop, phone, or iPod at home. During interviews with students, the majority said that they are distracted by social networking sites and cell phones. Claudia Spink (‘15) admits that when she gets a text message, she checks it right away, “When  I get a text, I can’t resist seeing who it is; I have to check my phone.” Although technology can be a distraction, it also has educational use. More than half of the Padua students interviewed said that going online for homework questions and information was faster and easier than looking it up in the textbook. Although the Internet provides a fast and easy way to receive information, and generally (depending upon the website) can be a reliable source, a surprising amount of students preferred to look up information for projects in books. Books provide an accurate and detailed source of information for projects, Regan Robertson (‘15) said, “I like looking up the information in books because the information is usually true.”

Both students and teachers at Padua make use of the provided technology through interactions with smart boards, cell phones, and online groups for students to reference. However, the main question is, does it help or hurt the education of students? “I believe that technology in the classroom can be a very helpful and an exciting way to learn. Proper supervision, student cooperation, and correct usage are key to the success of technology in the classroom. The student and the teacher need to work together to make technology a useful learning tool.”, said Mrs. Duppel, who actively uses technology in her classroom. Some teachers are not affected tremendously by this technological advancement. When asked, Mr. McAteer said, “I feel as if technology at this point is neutral. However, the school is taking great strides to making technology an educational tool that could become significant in student’s learning.”