"Risks to self and others in the digital environment. How has digital technology impacted us as teachers and our work environment?"

Description

Education has been unquestionably altered by digital technologies, however, opinions on academic outcomes are largely divided. This driving question invites us to investigate advantages of technology integrated teaching, while also exploring the risks of digital divide - the contrast of permitting an oversaturation of technological use in schooling, and the risks associated with limited access to technology for education. 

Feelings

Initially, I felt strongly that teaching had been solely positively impacted by the embrace of digital learning. I considered how the introduction of online learning and specific technologies has allowed a significant increase in accessibility, particularly for those disadvantaged (e.g. living remotely, speaking multiple languages, with disabilities). However, after reading the related articles I have been enlightened to the fact that technology can amplify a pre-existing divide in education and academic outcomes. 

Evaluation

Technology in a teaching capacity can be extremely beneficial and teach valuable skills to students who will likely enter a digital workplace. Research shows that “Digital technologies…  help improve education in various ways… (technology can) provide easy access to information, easy retention of information, increased storage of information, and improved presentation of information; education became more interactive, easier sharing of knowledge and increased enthusiasm in learning (Abid H, Mohd J, Mohd A Q, Rajiv S. 2022). 

Opposingly, the article also states technology can enhance “Issues regarding excessive screen time, the efficacy of instructors' use of technology, and concerns about technology fairness”. Additionally,  “It necessitates hardware and connectivity at home, inaccessible to children in low-income homes”. Professionals have discovered that “even though 87% of families have an internet-enabled device, that still means that more than one out of every ten students likely doesn't have the technology needed to complete daily schoolwork and homework” (Thomas McElroy 2021). This outlines how accessibility isn’t equitable and how technology can aid in deepening the digital divide. 

Analysis

It is clear from investigating the driving question that technology has been incorporated into all aspects of life and is simply essential. Analysing the advantages and disadvantages, it’s evident that a balanced approach to education is needed moving forward. 

An experiment was conducted at Daylesford Secondary School where all students had to lock their phones in a pouch on their hip for the school day. As “attention switching - swapping between laptops or books or phones - had a negative impact on school grades and learning retention” (Melanie Wheelan 2018). This initiative aimed to reduce the oversaturation of devices and streamline focus. After a year, the results saw attendance, academic achievement and punctuality increase, as well as suspensions and both learning/ wellbeing related incidents decrease. The article clarified that technology was not banned, “It is about promoting everything in moderation… you can still have a mobile, but don’t be consumed by it”. 

*Additionally, while i find the first statistic from (Abid H, Mohd J, Mohd A Q, Rajiv S. 2022) an extremely compelling justification for increased technological use in schools, I feel as though (McElroy. 2021) and (Wheelan. 2018)’s findings are a stronger rationale of the dire cruciality that digital learning needs to be carried out in controlled school environment as digital advantages are only truly achieved through high accessibility - which is not equitable. Also, technology needs to be used in moderation to aid streamlined focus in schools.    

Conclusion                                                                                                                              

Overall, I conclude that technology is largely beneficial as an educational tool. However, it’s crucial to ensure that devices **are used as a means of aid, and not used to encourage a further digital and academic divide. Moreover, as educators we must use technology in moderation, teach digital literacy and allow for equitable accessibility as much as we possibly can. 

Action Plan                                                                                                                                                   

This new insight is extremely valuable as it will shape my future practice from the deep awareness that technology will always evolve and be prevalent in education. **It is my responsibility to ensure technology is moderated in the classroom to promote focus and student wellbeing. Additionally, it is essential to endorse equitability by ensuring that technology is used at schools in a controlled environment. ***For example, I would use the aid of technology to deliver the crux of digital learning while in the classroom (such as a research task online where students could write physical notes down about a chosen topic) while all homework could be completed without the reliance on technology (such as students creating a visual poster with all the research they gathered while at school). This would re-enforce their learning, promoting better retention of information and therefore academic success, while keeping the use of technology moderated and equitable for all students.

* - Feedback given from person '2' - I wish you developed the analysis further by comparing the different perspectives from your sources and explaining more about why you found some arguments more convincing than others.

** - Feedback given from person '2' - I also noticed a few small spelling and wording errors. I changed this to make the sentence flow better

*** - Feedback given from person '1' - One area to develop further is your action plan; it currently states your intention (moderation, equitable access) quite generally, and naming one specific strategy you’d use in your classroom would make it feel like a genuine plan of action.