Technology in Schools

Rewind to the year 1970. A student, let’s call him John, is writing a research paper on George Washington. It’s too bad John cannot recall the year our first president was born. So what does John do? Walks to the library and drags out the good old encyclopedia only to page through numerous facts until he stumbles upon his answer. What if he wants to know something a little more interesting about Mr. Washington? Unfortunately, his local library is small and doesn’t contain all of the information John needs for his report.

Fast-forward to the year 2010. Sam is writing a similar paper about his favorite president on one of his school’s laptops. He Googled Washington’s birth date in a fraction of the time that it took John to find the same information. He also has access to thousands upon thousands of facts and scholarly works about George Washington. These advantages allow Sam to write a quality essay in half the time that it took John.

With the benefit of technology in schools, students can work and learn at a faster pace than students in the past. To prepare for careers, more knowledge is always effective, and therefore, a good investment. Instead of being trapped in a school with limited resources and outdated materials, students now have access to the internet which levels out the playing field as far as research goes.

Technology is not only good for faster learning, but it prepares students for careers in today’s fast paced world. Most jobs require the use of computers, cell phones, and other technologies. It is necessary for students to learn the skills of sending emails, using cell phones, and typing word documents by the time they apply for jobs. Why not learn these skills in school?