Student Engagement By Alan Jacobs: Article Analysis

Teachers have been known to discourage the use of technology in the classrooms. It seems odd that so many teachers would stick by the fact that texting actually helps students’. Technology has actually been innovated into schools nationwide. Some teachers are having students use their phone in the classrooms to play games like ‘Kahoot’ and to find research. Some schools are even providing computers to students.

Maureen E. Wilson (2004) in Teaching, learning and Millennial Students state "educators can create environments and experiences to enhance student learning and engagement in classrooms and beyond through a combination of pedagogical and technological innovations."

The use of cellphones in school allows students to have more freedom when learning. For example, in the article “As Schools Lift Bans on Cell Phones, Educators Weigh Pros and Cons”, it explains that some of the features a cell phone has allows you to interact with other people, which is good because it helps with social skills and makes it easier to make friends. If students are interacting with other students, it is beneficial to them because they will be paying attention to working with their partner rather than being bored and listening to just the teacher talk. It is important that teachers are involved with their students because an elementary school teacher in Minnesota stated, “We need to stop pushing against the technology and start embracing it. The more we push back, the more we separate ourselves from the students.” If teachers are involved with their students and don’t discourage cell phones, the students will actually have fun in class and will grow closer to their teachers. Cell phones are beneficial to schools because it provides a way where students don’t have to be distracted when there teacher is teaching them.

The research topic of this study is how integrating technology into a middle school classroom effects student engagement and performance on assessments. Students that are currently in middle school have grown up with technology surrounding them their entire lives. When these students see technology as a part of their everyday life, it seems natural to include technology in their school work whenever possible. It is true that some schools lack the resources to allow classes to integrate technology as frequently as they would like, however, this study will look at the effect that technology has on engaging students in their lessons. This study will also explore if an increase in student engagement leads to improved achievement

This idea that the physical action of such seemingly meaningless tasks makes me want to leave my phone aside for the few hours I spend at school, learning and enriching my mind. These articles have clarified for me that the negative outcomes of technology in learning prevent my mind from absorbing knowledge. My academic work, whether it be in high school or college, will constantly deteriote if I let technology overpower my ability to think and learn. It is not even the fact that the use of technology will probably lower my grades, but the possibility of not growing or learning makes me realize that the consequences of technology use in the classrom are some that I will avoid and prevent by allowing myself to use my senses and knowledge to gain new ideas and experiences. Such implicaitons are ones that I wish to not face and will do so by simply setting my phone aside to learn, and by letting go of the temptation that technology can be, in such a modern, tech-savy

According to Huff Post Education, part of the Huffington Post internet newspaper that caters to the world of education, companies such Google, Verizon and Microsoft are pouring in million upon millions of dollars to provide schools with the latest in new gadgets and devices. The schools are in return, are looking for technology to revive student performances in the classroom (Contributing writer to the Huffington Post, 2010). As I mentioned earlier, my goal is to produce lifelong learners. I want my students to be just a captivated in my class as they are to latest music video by their favorite artist. Engagement is the true issue here, and begs the question, “Does technology foster engagement or inhibit it?, (Ain, 2011). I for one, believe that technology can do what is it purposed to do, and that is to foster engagement and enable critical and creative thinking (Ain,

The next topic of discussion is cell phones in classrooms. The article being summarized is entitled The Only Thing We Have to Fear is…120 Characters. In this article, Kevin Thomas and Christy McGee (2012) make arguments for the use of cellphones in classrooms in spite of the fact that 69% have banned them. This paper responds to the many reasons for disallowing their use, and then it goes on to highlight some ideas about why cell phones should be used as educational tools. Both sides of the discussion certainly make valid points.

Technology in the school has become an increasingly challenging and somewhat disruptive aspect in today’s educational system. In order to maintain what is considered the status quo, schools have focused their energy and resources on banning cell phones, wireless Internet and blocking social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter in schools. However, as technology continues to grow in our society outside of the school, many believe that effectively involving these technologies into the classroom can ultimately improve student engagement in their learning environments. This research paper will focus on both sides of the argument and ultimately seek to determine if there is a best practice regarding technological being put into schools.

This reminds me of a time not so far in the distance past when I would observe in classrooms with newly installed Smart boards and I would see one student at the time at the Smart board solving a problem. I was struck at the visual we all grew up with one child at a time was solving a math problem on the chalkboard. The tool in the classroom had changed but the strategy for teaching and learning had not changed and it was reducing the effective teaching strategy of engagement because of the new tool. Technological change needs quality of support including practice and coaching (Papa p.15) Clearly, the new tool alone did not bring the new changes to teaching and learning and was a step in the wrong

Many people believe that bringing cell phones to school may cause distractions. However, a recent study leads more and more people to believe that mobile phones could in fact be a “powerful learning tool” (Docksai), serving as a mobile computer ("Cell Phones in the Classroom” ). Elizabeth Hartnell- Young, a research fellow from the University of Nottingham tracked 331 students from 14 to 16 years old, for learning through cell phones. They used cell phones to make short videos, set homework reminders, record poems, and transfer files from home to school (Docksai). Students described their learning experience as “motivated” (Docksai). Many experts pointed out that students have a “deep comfort level” with mobile phones (Docksai). In other words, students could learn more if they enjoyed what they were doing. An increasing number of teachers have changed their point of view towards cell phones, many now believe that cell phones would exert positive effects on education. For example, some teachers have already started to collect homework online and answer questions through text- messaging. A school in Saskatchewan encouraged students to read and share thoughts about books through their cell phones (Docksai). Furthermore, according to a recent survey, the majority of students could refrain from using cell phones and not be distracted by them in class. In fact, over 71% of students didn’t

Although technology can increase students’ engagement, schools should consider the possible distractions, danger, and cost of incorporating computers into their curriculum. Students love technology. According to Arthur H. Rotstein, “school officials believe the electronic materials will get students more engaged in learning”(source A). Students can

During EdTech 202 and other educational class field experience requirements, I discovered how technology has influenced the classroom with the use of Smartboards or similar devices. The use of Smartboard technology would be the center point in my classroom activities due to the versatility that it can provide. The Smartboard is able to aid in demonstrating class lessons and record the students’ responses via handheld devices: recording statistics on their answers and how long it took to respond. Students being able to interface with this piece of technology would enable better participation with class activities with the class easing the stress of answering questions in front of the class like the old days.

Mobile phones are the communication device that can connect people with others in any places. Students nowadays rely on mobile phones as their communication devices with friends and parents. Some of them think mobile phones as a learning tool. Are they really essential as a learning tool? This essay will argue that mobile phones are a necessary tool for education but also they are not necessary tool for education. Firstly, it will explain why mobile phones are a necessary tool for education. Then it will explain why they are not.

In today’s dynamic classroom, the teaching and learning processes is becoming more nuanced, more seamless and it flows back and forth from student to teacher. Digital Pedagogy is needed, in impact digital technologies have on student’s engagement and motivation. In progressive schools pens and pencils are fast getting obsolete now, rather than “soft skills” are needed for work. Education now focus on how to make the most effective use of digital technologies in teaching and learning. Due to extensive use of digital tools in classes, teachers are more co-collaborators or moderators rather than just teachers. Teaching has become more of an attitude towards and aptitude with digital technologies.

Mobile devices have highly evolved over time. In fact, in todays’ world almost everyone has some sort of device in hands reach. Whether it be a computer, cell phone, or even a television remote. But although devices were devised to benefit our society, it also brought along many flaws. In recent discussions about mobile devices, a controversial issue has been whether spending a large amount of time on mobile devices are a bad thing. However, some argue that mobile devices are good daily tools for learning and other aspects. In a recent study Hilao (2017) states that Mobile devices plays a big role on students’ lives in the digital age by offering different types of learning, such as open-ended questions, SMS background knowledge, and engaging the students in learning. My own view is that, Mobile devices play an important role in most peoples’ lives. Computers, phones, and other types of devices have become very common. This issue is important because the number of students around the world gaining technology is rapidly growing and with the fixture of distraction, Lack of sleep, performance in school, and social skills students will have a positive outcome from mobile technology.