In today’s classrooms, the 21st-century has arrived. Laptop computers, tablets, and whiteboards are used by students and teachers on a daily basis. Traditional blackboards and chalk are becoming a thing of the past, as is using a pen and paper to complete assignments and tests. While today’s technology has opened up many new avenues for education, it nevertheless offers a number of advantages and disadvantages in many aspects of teaching and learning.

Technology in the Classroom: Does it Hurt or Help Students?

Too Much of Anything

While using the internet allows students to find information for research papers and projects, it sometimes becomes a distraction in the classroom. Teachers routinely complain of students getting off track from their assignments and instead playing games, updating their social media status or even looking at material that is prohibited. This in turn forces teachers to spend more time policing students and their activities, which decreases the time spent teaching.

Lesson Planning and Implementation

Without a doubt, one of the biggest advantages of technology in the classroom is its ability to keep students engaged. Rather than being forced to sit through long lectures, today’s students can instead go online and take virtual field trips to almost anywhere in the world. Along the way, they can speak with students in foreign nations, learn about different cultures, and gain a deeper understanding of the world in which they live. However, the downside to these exciting lessons is the time teachers spend browsing online to find the best material to use with their students. With all their other duties, teachers say they feel resentful and pressured when trying to fit these duties in with so many others.

Special Needs and Technology

Computerized classroom technology perhaps shows its biggest advantages when used in special needs classrooms. In these classes, children can learn at their own pace and receive individualized instruction from teachers, helping them stay more engaged and excited about learning. For students who have severe disabilities, assistive technology can help them communicate more effectively with both teachers and classmates.

So while the debate over technology in the classroom will continue for many more years, it is clear that both advantages and disadvantages do exist. However, when used correctly and efficiently, both students and teachers agree that today’s learning experience is unlike any previous generations have ever known. And if it gets students interested and keeps them motivated to learn, the advantages will almost certainly outweigh the disadvantages.

Jonah Engler is a NY based financial expert, stock broker, entrepreneur and coffee lover.