THINKING ORGANIZEDTechnology for Learning: Is It Helpful or Harmful?
Advantages
- Active engagement in the learning process
- Easy access to information
- Increased possibilities for creative thinking and learning
- Ability to collaborate with others more efficiently
Disadvantages
- Can have a more nebulous quality, making it less concrete and finite
- Can be overwhelming having to sift through many options to find quality information and programs
- Can cause too much distraction when not used intentionally
The Bottom Line
- Technology can be customized to fit any person’s needs. Do you prefer to read an article on paper, but use an app to study vocabulary words? No problem. Do you like to brainstorm with pencil and paper, but type up a rough draft on Google Docs? Perfect. The capabilities of technology are almost limitless when it comes to the learning process; one simply has to discover the purposeful combination that best suits his or her learning style.
Studying with Apps
There are many benefits of using online tools to manage study habits. One major advantage is accessibility. Students can have their study materials and schedule with them at all times so that they can use their free time wisely anywhere they go. Studying works well in short, focused bursts over an extended period of time, so having everything at the touch of a button can really maximize the quality and quantity of study time. Another plus of using technology is the advanced features that it can provide to help students visually track their progress and maintain a collection of tasks or study tools.
There are thousands of apps and websites out there to help students manage their study habits. Some are primarily geared toward task management, while others are designed more for assessing knowledge of the content.
When considering a technological trend for studying, pay attention to these important criteria:
- Accessibility
- Adaptability
- Multiple Review Modes
- Centralized location