LITERATURE REVIEW 1
Literature Review: An examination of the effects of technology
implementation in the classroom
Jacynthia Gray
Liberty University
EDAS 743: Executive Leadership in Curriculum and Instruction
Dr. Tony Ryff
September 19, 2021
Author Note:
Jacynthia Gray
I have no known conflict of interest to disclose.
Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Jacynthia Gray
Email: jrgray136@liberty.edu
LITERATURE REVIEW 2
The internet, with the use of computers, has made many advancements and improvements
in the world of technology, society as a whole and education. Educational reform has made
significant strides, as well as seen many pitfalls, with the incorporation and utilization of
technology. Students and educators have both witnessed the changes and growth that technology
and its classroom integration has had in the ever-changing world of academics. Technological
engagement, educational progression, and regression are the topics this literary review will
implement. The review will also examine three of the best methodologies for technological
utilization based on studies presented by scholars.
Studies have shown that technology in the classroom has long been a topic of discussion
in education. Since the integration of technology in the classroom, the impact that it has had on
students’ socioemotional learning and development, academic achievement and educational
attainment has long been debated. As student’s knowledge of various studies augment, their
approach and skills must change and show growth as well. This growth and mental stimulation
of students is promoted and further prompted by advanced uses of technology. Studies have
shown that students' curiosity about technology has enhanced their creativity and augmented
their content creation, by using web-based tools to create learning content (Li, Darr & Gao,
2018). Traditional uses of research and text-based learning have amplified over the last two
decades. The integration of technology has made this possible as well as aided in how far society
has come with advanced learning practices within the classroom.
Strengths
Two ways the world of technology has changed education is through instruction and
learning. Using technological advancements such as QR codes has aided teachers with their
LITERATURE REVIEW 3
instruction (Bolden, 2019). The use of QR codes in the classroom has also made it easier for
students to scan codes and access class games, resources and assignments. It has also made it
easier for students to see grade reporting and communicate with groupmates. Educators have
been able to adapt their instructional planning with the implementation and help that technology
brings. They are now able to access copious amounts of information at once, that is readily
available at their fingertips for use in their lesson planning and classroom instruction. This type
of collaborative learning is also transformational because it encourages the shift from the
traditional learning system to modern technology-based learning (Li, Darr & Gao, 2018). This
has allowed teachers the flexibility to plan ahead more effectively and efficiently.
Teachers have been able to rely on the use of technology to aid in their assessment of
student mastery. Teachers, as well as learners, are able to detect inconsistencies in learning
through technology (Li, Darr & Gao, 2018). Mastery levels of students can be assessed and
accessed through data collection, excel compilation and composite scoring through the means of
technology. The use of laptops in classrooms for teachers, Chromebooks for students and things
such as promethean boards have changed the scope of the way students are able to learn. These
have proven an advancement in the way students and teachers both understand how technology
works and can be helpful. Students are able to learn at their own pace with the help of
technology. Self-regulated assignments and online learning tools are available for student use
that can also track the progress of students. Online learning techniques help advance students’
understanding of academic content and allow them the opportunity to further their skills to aid
their academic progression. There are various ways for students to learn about applications that
help their studies and even online tutoring available to students that need outside classroom
instructional support.
LITERATURE REVIEW 4
Teachers are not separate from learning through technological means. New trainee
teachers are able to gather support and access quality information that is useful for creating a
successful learning environment for their students. This shows how the means of technology is
useful for the learning of students and teachers. New professional development learning plans for
leveraging technology are necessary (Fernandes, Rodrigues & Ferreira, 2018). Veteran teachers
are also able to use online training to gain certifications and add elements to their licensure,
further encouraging teachers as lifelong learners also. A study showed that 89.23% students had a
strong assertion for integrating e-learning in their school curriculum (Saxena et al., 2018).
Student engagement and productivity of educators are factors that cannot be overlooked with the
positive utilization of technology.
Weaknesses
There is no doubt that there is a plethora of advantages when it comes to utilizing
technology in the classroom, but research does not negate the pitfalls that may occur in
technology utilization. Research has shown that the use of technology, such as social media,
internet connectivity, iPad, and laptops negatively impact students in four major ways:
dehumanizing educational environments, distorting social interactions between teachers and
students, deteriorating students’ competences of reading and writing, and isolating individuals
when using technology (Alhumaid, 2019). From this information we realize that the negative
impacts of technology utilization does not solely occur in the classroom but outside of it as well.
Pulling from the work of Maritain (1943) and Olesen (2000), Njeri (2019) concluded that
education is meant to be an inclusive process rather than an isolating one with aims of
developing students’ personalities and self-awareness. Furthermore, education is supposed to be
LITERATURE REVIEW 5
the realm where students gain an understanding of the world around them and how to function
within it by instilling both attitude and values (Njeri, 2019). With the introduction of technology
in classrooms across the world students have less interactions with teachers and students alike.
This disconnect is seen mostly in virtual or distance learning classes; the relationships between
students’ with their peers and teachers are weak and for some leads to a feeling of isolation and
furthers students’ need for collective and interactive learning (Alhumaid, 2019). This lack of
rapport between students and teachers, and students among themselves due to technology usage
leads to deteriorating social relationships within the teaching profession; hence eroding a main
aim of education (Alhumaid, 2019; Nnjei 2014).
Technology usage does not only lead to feelings of isolation and lack in social
development and/or interactions, technology also has been associated with causing a
deterioration in students’ competences of reading and writing. One of the major concerns
regarding students' competences of reading and writing has nothing to do with the technical
aspect of either, but the integrity that students seem to lack due to the accessibility of
information. There has been a daunting increase in the number of students being reprimanded for
plagiarism, either from outside sources and/or student to student sharing. Pulling from Carr
(2011), Alhumaid (2019) notes that reading from screen does not only change the way we
navigate informational text, but it also influences the amount of attention we devote it to; this
leads to a superficial understanding of the information. Students' ability to write has also been
impacted negatively by the introduction of technology. The constant exposure to short form has
created issues among students in the areas of “spelling and punctuation, grammatical accuracy,
spelling, proofreading, critical thinking, respect of coherence and linearity” (Alhumaid, 2019).
Conclusion
LITERATURE REVIEW 6
Educational reform has made significant strides, as well as seen many pitfalls, with the
incorporation and utilization of technology. Students and educators have both witnessed the
changes and growth that technology and its classroom integration has had in the ever-changing
world of academics. Two ways the world of technology has changed education is through
instruction and learning. While this has been a major stride in the educational realm, there have
been several pitfalls with the introduction of technology as well. Research has shown that the use
of technology, such as social media, internet connectivity, iPad, and laptops negatively impact
students in four major ways: dehumanizing educational environments, distorting social
interactions between teachers and students, deteriorating students’ competences of reading and
writing, and isolating individuals when using technology (Alhumaid, 2019). Three of the best
practice methods any teacher should consider when utilizing technology in the classroom are
collaboration, incorporation and feedback. Teachers want to be sure to have collaboration among
students to not only build rapport among them, but to also aid in the development of a classroom
culture. This can be facilitated through the usage of applications such as Jamboard. Additionally,
teachers need to be sure to incorporate student devices; an excellent way of doing this is through
gamified educational services such as Nearpod, Kahoot and other interactive platforms. Finally,
teachers need to remember to provide feedback while using technology. Feedback allows
students to be aware of their personal understanding of the material and has the ability to
enhance learning.
LITERATURE REVIEW 7
References
Alhumaid, K. (2019). Four ways technology has negatively changed education. Journal Of
Educational and Social Research, 9(4), 10-20. doi: 10.2478/jesr-2019-0049
Bolden, F. (2019). How technology can increase student engagement - TeachHUB. Retrieved
September 2021, from https://www.teachhub.com/technology-in-the-
classroom/2019/08/how-technology-can-increase-student-engagement/
Fernandes, G., Rodrigues, A., & Ferreira, C. (2018). Professional development and use of digital
technologies by science teachers: a review of theoretical frameworks. Research In
Science Education, 50(2), 673-708. doi: 10.1007/s11165-018-9707-x
Li, K., Darr, K., & Gao, F. (2018). Enriching classroom learning through a microblogging-
supported activity. E-Learning And Digital Media, 15(2), 93-107. doi:
10.1177/2042753018757099
Njeri, B. (2019). Education issues: ICT pedagogy a dehumanizing learning experience. Retrieved
from
https://www.academia.edu/40038397/Education_issues_ICT_Pedagogy_a_Dehumanizing
_Learning_Experience
Saxena, P., Gupta, S., Mehrotra, D., Kamthan, S., Sabir, H., Katiyar, P., & Sai Prasad, S. (2018).
Assessment of digital literacy and use of smart phones among Central Indian dental
students. Journal Of Oral Biology and Craniofacial Research, 8(1), 40-43. doi:
10.1016/j.jobcr.2017.10.001
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