Are Classroom Gadgets Worth the Money?

Recently, some educators have been saying that new classroom technology is hindering their lessons instead of helping them. Classrooms across the country are becoming more and more tech-savvy but many people are not seeing the performance results promised by manufacturers. So are the gadgets worth it?

The private companies that market the new technology to schools claim that interactive white boards and other sundry devices keep the children plugged into the classroom and help build interactive learning environments. Teachers claim that students still zone out and fiddle with Facebook on their phones despite the hyperlinks and videos playing at the front of the class. Even the studies that have suggested improved student performance with interactive technology are now being questioned.

The problem with all of these claims is that they seem to assume that classroom technology should engage students and improve their performance just by being in the classroom. This is simply not the case. An interactive white board does not teach children. Teachers do. The technology is simply another tool for the teacher to use in combination with current teaching methods.

One big difference between the new technology and the old-fashioned chalkboards and overhead projectors is that the new items require training on how to most effectively use them. According to a study done by the National Center for Education Statistics, 66% of teachers surveyed indicated that they received less than eight hours of technology training in the previous year. 13% if those received no training at all. That is simply absurd.

Technology is complicated and operators, in this case, teachers, need continuous training and professional development that focuses directly on combining technology in the classroom and current teaching methodologies. Some may say that we shouldn't waste money on something that requires so much time investment on the part of the user. However, interactive classroom technology really does have many extraordinary benefits and capabilities. It is worth both the time and the money.

Here is a suggestion though. Instead of pouring money into the latest and greatest item and relying on the "wow" factor to keep students paying attention, schools should invest in professional development workshops that teach instructors how to create interactive and dynamic learning environments using the technology they already have. If they do this, schools will find that their dollar goes a lot farther towards improving student performance.

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