Using Technology in the Classroom

Technology encompasses a wide range of tools and machines that help solve problems. It also applies to non-material objects such as computers and software programs. Technology also includes ideas, processes, and knowledge. Technology can be used for good or bad, depending on how it is designed and implemented.

Using technology in the classroom requires careful planning and supervision. Students can be easily distracted by the infinite flow of information and entertainment that is available on digital devices. But if used well, technology can engage students and provide them with the opportunity to practice fundamental skills like math, spelling and phonetic awareness. Many sites offer interactive games that enable students to create their own activities and practice basic skills outside of the classroom.

In his book Technology: Critical History of a Concept, Eric Schatzberg explores two sharply diverging traditions in talking about technology. One, he argues, is the ‘instrumental’ approach that defines technologies in terms of means and ends. The other, he explains, is the ‘critical’ view that sees technologies as socially constructed and culturally embedded.

This book is an essential read for any teacher who wishes to understand the complexity of the concept of technology. By using the techniques of historical research to analyse key texts and themes, Schatzberg provides a detailed and informed guide that is sure to be a staple in any library of teaching resources for years to come. The pedagogical value of this book is reflected in its use as an integral text in both undergraduate and postgraduate degree courses.