Irresponsibility Makes Us Illiterate

A Reaction Paper to the Article: Technology does not make us smarter

Technology is a colleague to everyone in whenever and wherever he or she is. I strongly believe that it generally aids us in everything we do. In fact, it makes life easier and more convenient. This is the reason why after reading the two-part article entitled “Technology does not make us smarter” I really felt blue. I feel sad not because I accept the views of the author that technology is the perpetrator why students do not excel in academics as true, but because of the misinterpretation that it gives. This misinterpretation about technology misleads, deludes and deceives any reader to think that technology shall be blamed for the all the glitches presented. I accept all the results of the researches, studies and surveys conducted and presented in the article. However, let me emphasize that I accept this as presentation of evidences against the users not to the technology. Technology gears up education but sadly users make themselves illiterate. The users’ demeanor toward technology usage put significant things, education and even themselves at risk. This has been proven true by the article itself.

Some people are blessed to explore the true potential of technology in all aspects of their lives, even in teaching and learning process. On the other hand, many are becoming abusive with the benefits that it gives. I believe that technology has a number of pros and cons effects but at the end of the day the users are the ones who have the power to use this device conscientiously.

I find some ironic situations and points, which need to be responded to and clarified, in the article.

First, most of the professionals who shared about the cons of technology in the field of education were tech-savvy people or those professionals whose degrees were in computer-related studies. This is a bit tongue-in-cheek because why do computer science degree holders deny the idea that technology can aid students in learning?  Seemingly, these people are not in favor of technology as a good means of educating the children.

Second, two of the professionals used by the author stated that they believed in the idea that “great teachers make a difference in teaching-learning but not in favor of using technology”. How strange, isn’t it? I believe, when teachers use technology as a tool in classroom discussion, he or she is creating a notion of “difference in the teaching-learning process”. Initially, I thought that I might be at the wrong idea of “difference in teaching-learning” so, I asked myself: What is a good example, basis, and definition of “making a difference?” I have faith in the idea that the teachers who use technology in a certain place or school, which has been deprived of modernity, will be embraced and accepted by all because those teachers create the sense of “difference” which is the sense of not being “classic”.

Finally, according to the studies, students are failing due to penetrating usage of computers as for their personal use: social media, searching for anything that is not related to academics, and even used as an avenue to watch indecent films. Based on these, what I believe is that the problem does not only lie on the technology itself, but merely to the users. We cannot blame these “glitches” to the technology alone. Users’ irresponsibility put things at risks.  Technology gives a very promising and convenient avenue to all people. With just click of the mouse a certain person could see a new world and could meet new group of friends.

Usually when a student, whose original focus is in “finishing project, getting lessons, and finishing assignments”, gets the chance to be out of control in computer, it would lead him to failure. As a teacher, I cannot blame this fault to the advent of modernity or technology. As what I have said, technology is just a tool. The main problem really lies to the user who is in a point or another becomes imprudent, irresponsible and dishonest.
I always believe that computers or technology in general is not a replacement for the teacher in a classroom. This computer or technology is and will always be just a tool to aid, support and provide an easy avenue for the transferring and acquiring of knowledge.  

Furthermore, studying, while equipped with technology tools, allows students to be such intellectual people.  The technology that acts as a tool helps the students to acquire and to refine their analysis and problem-solving skills as they work individually and in teams to find, process, and synthesize information they have found online or discovered in the World Wide Web.

Technology also improves the way teachers teach, give effective ways to reach different types of learners and assess student understanding through manifold means. When technology is effectively integrated into subject areas, teaching and learning process becomes meaningful, fun and significant.