How Can Technology Be Integrated Into Education?

In recent years, technology has become an irreplaceable part of our day-to-day lives. A lot of people carry a smartphone or laptop on them at all times to stay connected with people, do research, or look up information they want to know on the spot. However, many high school teachers prohibit the use of technology because it can distract students and hurt their chances of successfully learning the topic at hand, among other things. Many people, students and teachers alike, know how helpful technology is in education, according to American University, but there are many problems when it comes to implementing it into schools. There are worries about how accessible technology can be for some people; with students coming from various backgrounds, some families may not be able to afford laptops for their children. Others are concerned about a required internet connection for online work at home because some families may not have a stable connection. There are many factors to consider when trying to integrate technology into education, but I believe that it can be done if enough effort is put into it. 

Smartboards can help students see subjects in different perspectives.

The biggest hurdle I see with schools to implement more technology into their classes is funding. I believe that schools that are able to should invest in laptop carts for their students. In my high school, these carts could be reserved for teachers for certain times of the day and allowed students to do work online while still in class, such as projects or essays. Some schools can even take a step above these carts by giving students their own personal devices strictly for school use. These were not prevalent when I was in high school, but I have heard more frequently about the idea, and even saw it implemented in a middle school math class that I had the privilege to observe. This system gives students their own computer to use throughout the school day and at home for homework, and from what I saw, the technology is a big part of their school system. Of course, being able to have a system like this depends on the school's budget, and some schools may not be able to do so. I still believe that there should be some integration of technology into schools, even if it's as simple as using different websites to help students see examples in different ways. Technology is a really good way to stimulate students and catch their attention and see different perspectives on topics, and should absolutely be integrated into classrooms one way or another.

Mental Health in Education

Over the last couple of years, mental health has become much more prioritized in schools. Research shows that students have experienced a decline in mental wellness over the last three to five years, citing various different reasons, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and increases in gun violence. These hits on the mental wellness of students can impact how well they do in their classes and how they interact with their peers, among other things. Thankfully, people are trying to make it easier for students to access mental health care in schools, which can help professionals find early signs of mental health problems to try and help students as much as they can.

Psychologists can help students feel more comfortable speaking about issues they may have.

Personally, I believe that the mental wellbeing of students is not brought up as much as it should be in the American education system. And while it is being improved, there is still a lot to be done to ensure students have proper mental health care. My high school, for example, has some school psychologists in the building to help students with their needs if teachers or other staff members suspect something is wrong, which is a very good thing to have in a school! However, the office for the psychologists was not advertised to students, and most students didn't even know we had a school psychologist. In my opinion, this poor management counteracts how great it is that my school had a psychologist - why hire a trained professional who can help students if they need it when most kids don't even know about them? There are many solutions to this problem, but the main one I find myself focusing on is having the school tell their students that there is a doctor that can help them however they may need it, even if it's just to talk to them. Having a psychologist in the building is not enough to make a difference if they are not known or recognized. However, changing this can help students feel comfortable enough to go to the doctor and speak with them on their own, and is one small step educators can take to help students with any issues they may have.