Pros and Cons of Computer Technology in the Classroom

Author: Kathleen Patrice Gulley

University: California State University, Sacramento

Course: Educational Leadership and Policy Studies EDLP 225 :: Advanced Seminar: Ethical Decision Making

Instructor: Dr. Rosemary Papalewis

Term: Spring 2003

The world is constantly changing and ways in which we function at home, work and school are also changing. The speed at which technology has developed plays a major role in these changes. From e-mail to on-line classes, computers are definitely influential in our lives, and can enhance the learning process in schools in various ways. With the increasing popularity of computer technology, it is essential for administrators to support and encourage computer technology in our education systems.

Computers are important in education because they force us to reconsider how people learn, how they are empowered, and what the nature of learning and useful information is. We cannot avoid the presence of computers in our schools because they are forcing educators to re-evaluate the very nature of what and how we teach. In 1998, the Office of Technology Assessment reported there were approximately 5.8 million computers in schools across United State’s or approximately one machine for every nine students (Provenzo, Brett, & McCloskey, 1999).

An advantage of having computer-assisted instruction in the classroom is that the computer can serve as a tutor. Teachers can only aid students in the learning process so far. Computers can assist teachers and act as a tutor for the students who are falling behind. A report entitled Computer Advantages: Tutoring Individuals, states “with computers as tutors, no student will be overwhelmed because he or she is missing fundamentals the computer will repeat material until each lesson has been sufficiently mastered” (Bennett,