Has technology bettered the standard for education?

I know there are plenty of complaints from both sides—younger generations wanting classes to be completely online (no textbooks) and older generations wanting kids to be taught “properly” (textbooks and life skills). But who is right?

To be frank, neither party is. There is no denying, technology has made school much more convenient: fewer books, online papers, online homework submissions and sometimes virtual classes.

But it has also shifted a lot of the focus of learning, in my opinion. Many students are missing opportunities to practice teamwork, it is way easier to get distracted from schoolwork and many schools are stopping the teaching of basic life skills like cursive handwriting. 

Now, technology is not a bad thing by any means, but are these ample amounts of it within each class unknowingly overwhelming? I think so. 

We are on our computers nonstop; all our books, classwork and notes are usually presented to us online in virtual/online class/online tutoring. With all the screen time comes unlimited distractions and methods of procrastination. 

Every class I am in I see one, if not most, student laptops filled with games, sports stats, or homework for another class. And I cannot blame them. In my boring or slow classes I do the same because it is easy, convenient and accessible. 

I think technology, although needed and required in school, can have adverse effects on a student’s education, especially regarding students’ attention spans and in-class focus levels. 

This is where online classes and online tutoring have started benefitting loads of students in the long run. When class attendance is asynchronous, students are not only responsible for their own share of the learning, but they get the opportunity to create their own schedule for the day, which can be beneficial. 

It really does depend on the student though; everyone is different, and it is all about finding what works for you. I think that is the most important thing to remember for all students and parents: A solution for one student is not a universal solution. Everyone has different learning styles.