Alex Abston-Ivy, Maddie Burch, Marilyn Butterworth, Jack Haskins, Nikkie Karimian

Professor Barbara Presnell

UWRT 1104 - 043

19 February 2019

Technology in the Education System

Students convene for an average class meeting. Some students prepare for the lesson by

pulling out their laptops, some rely on the classic pencil and paper duo, while others utilize both.

This routine continues throughout the semester as grades progress for the worst and for the best.

It is hard to pinpoint exactly what lies behind the fluctuation of grades, as well as the use and

misuse of technology in the classroom throughout the semester. Whether the technology is being

used for academic support or entertainment, we questioned the role technology plays in the

classroom and whether that role is positive or negative. As individuals, we all have different

learning strategies and use our own technology for different reasons, so we wanted to know

whether or not technology in general has positively or negatively affected students’ learning

experience.

External Viewpoints

After establishing our inquiry, we were quick to determine the individuals we wanted to

fulfill our curiosity. Being that we all use technology more in college classrooms, our interview

and survey participants were students who either go to school at the University of North Carolina

at Charlotte or an alternative university. Collectively, we all had different expectations as to

what the results would be.

Surveys
 To make sure there was a wide variety of participants, every member took to their social

media in search for individuals who qualified.

While composing the questions, we began to

dig deeper into the reasoning behind the use of

technology in the classroom. Because of that,

our 10 survey questions varied from how

participants used their technology to what their

GPA was last semester. Some of the more important questions we asked were how many times

did a student check their technology for topics

that were not related to what was being taught

in the classroom. We also asked what they

were checking on their computer or laptop

while they were in class. We even included Commented [1]: list some of your most important
questions that get at the heart of your inquiry
demographic data such as age, but generally college student age varies from 18-22. Our sample Commented [2]: _Marked as resolved_
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size was 128 students, and we found that over 80% of participants checked their phone or laptop

for topics unrelated to the learning topic at least once during lectures. Having said that, out of the

same sample population, about 80% said they take handwritten notes during lecture, and about

47% of participants had at least a 3.5 GPA last semester. From our survey, we were able to come Commented [4]: were you able to conclude anything
from your survey that led then to your interview
questions?
up with some questions that we would ask in our interviews that would allow us to get more
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specific answers and ideas that the survey could not give us. These questions stemmed from how Commented [6]: _Re-opened_

many times a student would check their phone or laptop for topics unrelated to the task and what

they would be checking in class.

Interviews
 While conducting interviews, we asked 5 questions that went more in depth regarding the

relationship between their technology, and whether the use of tech is necessary to succeed in the

classroom. We did not target any specific individuals, but while editing the video, we picked the

more unique responses and those who differed in ideas. We were able to get responses from

people with different majors which allowed us to have more data to reflect on. Our most

important question we asked was if technology had a positive or negative impact in their learning

while in class. Majority of the responses supported the opinion that technology is a positive Commented [7]: give at least some of your most
important questions as well as who you interviewed--
random people or targeted individuals?
influence for their learning pace in the classroom setting. Not everyone agreed, but many
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participants had similar uses for their technology as expected. Those who didn’t agree with the Commented [9]: _Re-opened_

positive role, had reasoning that it was a distraction overall.

Results

While reviewing the results from the surveys and interviews, we were expecting them to

reflect a bias towards a positive influence on technology because of the overwhelming use of

technology unrelated to education. To say the least, we were right. Most interviewees, as well as

48% of survey participants said technology has positively affected their learning. Another 43%

said they were neutral on the topic. It was interesting to find that majority of our survey

participants take handwritten notes even though they have access to technology. It is important to

keep in mind that just because some students don’t take advantage of technology in class

themselves, doesn't mean their instructor is not. According to Fethi Inan and Deborah Lowther,

technology can support three different roles in the classroom. One role was instructional Commented [10]: recommend you do much more with
this article--give a bit of summary about what the article
is about, direct quote from it. And/or discuss another
preparation. This could refer to the tools used to give instructions such as ebooks, or online article as well. Your essay's discussion of survey and
interview is really good, but you're weak on the
powerpoints.The second role was instructional delivery. This one could refer to illustrating research portion of your findings.
Commented [11]: _Marked as resolved_
certain tasks with technology through the use of projectors and smartboards, for example. The Commented [12]: _Re-opened_
third and last role was the use of technology as a learning tool. I believe this role to be the most

broad because it could relate anywhere from online homework to math games online. This means

that, if well trained, the instructor can prepare and deliver a lesson with the assistance of

technology to ultimately enhance the learning of the class as a whole. The article also discussed

the importance of the teacher’s role to remain familiar with upcoming technology. Collectively,

we agree that if students are exposed to more technology from the teacher, the teacher’s

confidence will then reflect onto the student’s performance. We, as students agree that it does

allow the lectures to flow better, letting teachers speak more on the topic instead of physically

trying to illustrate the lesson themselves. Commented [13]: this is a good section of pulling all
your findings together
Reflection Commented [14]: _Marked as resolved_
Commented [15]: _Re-opened_
We do not think technology hinders our educational careers. When you consider the fact
Commented [16]: you might stick with "we" here,
since it's been your voice throughout
that majority of careers today utilize technology, why wouldn’t we utilize it as students? I speak
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for the whole group when I say technology has given me the necessary resources and tools to Commented [18]: _Re-opened_

develop and progress my intellectual ability. Although it may divert my attention away from

learning sometimes, it makes up for it through endless learning opportunities. Taking different

course majors into consideration, the technological role may be more demanding for an

engineering major as opposed to an art major. Whatever the major may be, everyone has their

own way of utilizing their technology in the classroom.

Take Away

If anything, we hope this inquiry widens others’ view on the role technology plays in

their academic career. As a society, we should recognize how we have evolved as technology has

flourished. Life has been more convenient with technological help, and majority of our

workforce is dependent upon technology to maintain a steady pace of progress. It is only fair to
integrate technology into higher education to familiarize students with a basic tool we have come

to know. With that, we realize many people stick to traditional learning strategies without

technology, but we recommend utilizing your resources in a way that makes you, as a student,

comfortable and productive. Commented [19]: strong ending. You're making a

statement, giving your readers something to think
about
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 Works Cited

Inan, Fethi A., and Deborah L. Lowther. “Factors Affecting Technology Integration in K-12

Classrooms: a Path Model.” Educational Technology Research and Development, 21 July 2009, Commented [22]: italicize journal title
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link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11423-009-9132-y
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“Technology in the Education System”. Survey. 4 Feb.-10 Feb.2019.