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Running Head: NEW TECHNOLOGY IN THE CLASSROOM 1

New Technology in the Classroom

Tasia Geotas

Arizona State University


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Abstract

Technology is ever-evolving, and perhaps one of the greatest tools that mankind has

created to further its knowledge and capabilities. It therefore has a natural place in education,

and that place is becoming almost essential. In 2019, one of the most relevant forms of

educational technology is the school-sponsored BYOD (bring your own device) program.

These types of technology use have been slowly growing and developing; what began as a

school computer lab grew into classroom computers, and eventually into the distribution of

individual devices for students to use inside and out of the classroom. Some technologies that

are currently being developed appear to be more ground-breaking and foreign. One is the use

of augmented reality, which creates a manipulated image of reality, and biometrics, which

recognizes physical and behavioral traits of students. These tools not only provide greater

access to education but have begun to change completely how students are taught.

New Technology

BYOD, or Bring Your Own Device, has become a revolutionary concept in education.

As technology begins to take on a prominent role in the classroom, it also begins to take on

an important role in education outside the classroom. Learning management systems such as

Edmodo or Google Classroom are the main sources of assignments, class information, and

often where work is submitted and graded (Song 41). In fact, many teachers use these

educational “social medias” as a main method of “communicating directly with their

students” and being able to provide the “valuable” “one-on-one attention” students need to be

successful (The Evolution of Technology). A few decades ago, computers were seen as a

supplemental research tool, which is why it sufficed that 97% of classrooms had one or more

computers (The Evolution of Technology). However, as technology is now an essential part

of a student’s educational experience, a lack of regular access to computers can be

detrimental to a student’s academic career. A BYOD tool can be used as a “resource access
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tool, communication tool, resource collection tool, resource submission tool, construction

tool, resource sharing tool, representation tool and augmented reality tool” (Song 42).

Though many students have phones or computers, the BYOD programs ensure that all

students have access to important academic content, regardless of their financial situations.

As a result, teachers are able to use this technology to organize their classrooms online. They

can also create a more exciting and engaging lesson, as they have the ability to incorporate

interesting, online games and activities in which all students can participate.

On the up and coming list is augmented reality, which has begun to see

implementation into the classroom, but is still in its developing stage. Augmented reality

“layers information over physical spaces and objects, such as labels and other supplementary

data over museum displays” (Alexander 25). Because of its cost, revolutionary nature, and

teachers’ lack of expertise, it has taken a slower route to being a frequent tool in the

classroom (Alexander 36). Though many educators fear mixed reality technology because it

creates an “unauthentic” experience, augmented reality seems to be a sort of middle ground;

it still respects the true nature of a situation, but “aggregates the physical and the imagined”

(Alexander 36). It adds an intriguing element that helps students see a newer version of their

reality, encouraging an investment and interest in their learning and fostering a sense of

creativity and imagination in the classroom.

A final addition to the educational world that is on the rise is the use of biometrics to

“recognize the physical and emotional disposition of students in the classroom” based on

their usual “physical and behavioral traits” (The Evolution of Technology). This technology

recognizes personalization as an essential part of a student’s learning experience. In fact, it is

meant to be “altering course material” based on the “individual’s needs” (The Evolution of

Technology). Some other uses of biometrics include ensuring safety and integrity by

scanning a room for unfamiliar faces or odd behavior (that perhaps might indicate cheating or
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a potential threat to the safety of students). For now, biometrics is mainly being used for

safety purposes, but is aimed at an ideal purpose of creating a valuable, personalized

educational experience for students.


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References

Alexander, B., Ashford-Rowe, K., & Barajas-Murphy, N. (2019). Educause Horizon Report

2019 Higher Education Edition. EDUCAUSE Horizon Report 2019 Higher Education

Edition. Lousiville, CO: EDUCAUSE.

Song, Yanjie, and Siu Cheung Kong. “Affordances and Constraints of BYOD (Bring Your

Own Device) for Learning and Teaching in Higher Education: Teachers'

Perspectives=.” The Internet and Higher Education, vol. 41, 9 Aug. 2016,

doi:10.1016/j.iheduc.2019.03.001.

The Evolution of Technology in the Classroom. (n.d.). Retrieved from

https://online.purdue.edu/blog/evolution-technology-classroom.

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