Chapter 1: The Rise of Technology in Education

Fourteen years ago, when I began my teaching journey, the phrase “embracing 21st-century technology” was all the rage in educational circles. As a new teacher, I was enthusiastic about incorporating tech into my lessons. I created a classroom website, and my students enjoyed the novelty of silent chats, crafting infographics through Smore, and recording audio on platforms like Voicethreads.

Initially, I was the sole user of a laptop, but soon every classroom had a laptop cart, allowing students to collaborate and share these devices. However, as time passed, my sentiment shifted, and I now find myself sounding more like an elder reminiscing about the past. “I long for the simpler times.”

While schools have certainly adopted technology wholeheartedly, it feels as though they've taken a deep dive into the world of big tech without critical thought. Before you dismiss my concerns as outdated, let me clarify: I am not opposed to technology. It has streamlined my teaching and facilitated incredible projects, ensuring students have equitable access to learning. My point is, perhaps we should not rely on it so heavily.

Why I Plan to Reduce Technology Use in My Classroom

When did we start equating silence with good behavior?

In my classroom, we often engage in a competitive vocabulary game that encourages interaction, excitement, and, yes, noise. It’s one of my favorite activities because it pulls my teenage students away from their phones and fosters engagement.

One day, during an especially intense game, I noticed a couple of teachers peeking in, visibly alarmed. “Is everything okay? We were worried,” one asked. I replied, “We’re just playing a game.”

Later, while co-teaching an English lesson, I observed my students' chatter escalating. Although they were engaged, my co-teacher reprimanded them for being too loud. Walking past other classrooms, I saw many were quiet, and complaints about noisy students were common.

This leaves me puzzled. Has technology's isolating effect led us to label talkative students as “problematic”? Why is a productive classroom measured by how quietly students work alone behind screens?

Students are children; they should converse, move, and express excitement. As educators, we must encourage this behavior—within reason, of course. Reducing reliance on technology has revealed the vibrant personalities of my students, which I cherish.

The Dangers of Excessive Screen Time

Teachers frequently express concern over the amount of time students spend on their devices. Yet, when we demand they put their phones away, we immediately shift them back to screens for assignments. Almost all work is now digital. This seems counterproductive, as we inadvertently fuel their screen addiction.

Next year, I plan to reintroduce more paper-and-pencil tasks and prioritize discussions and reflective thinking over endless online assignments.

Fostering Collaboration Among Students

After taking a nine-week leave at the start of the school year, I was astonished to find that my students barely spoke to each other and didn’t even know each other's names. While we embrace 21st-century technology, we inadvertently stifle community-building.

Reflecting on my own life, I realize that my successes and happiness stem largely from the relationships I’ve built. I would prefer my students develop collaboration and communication skills over spending countless hours reading passages on their own and guessing answers on multiple-choice tests.

Boredom in the Digital Age

Watching students work on computers is tedious. They take assessments, complete assignments, and conduct projects all on screens, devoid of conversation or laughter. I can’t help but feel bored, and I suspect my students feel the same. It’s no surprise they seek opportunities to socialize or move around the school; I would rather see them active than glued to a screen for over an hour.

Classes are much more engaging when we discuss and learn from one another.

The Need for Direct Teacher Instruction

High school is not an online course designed for adults. Students benefit significantly from direct instruction from their teachers. Many online programs should not replace educators, yet they often do.

When my students enter my class, they’re often surprised to find I spend most of the time actively teaching, rather than letting them dive into their laptops immediately.

Overall, I’m weary of the overwhelming embrace of 21st-century technology. While I still utilize it as a tool, I’m returning to fundamental teaching methods. I am delighted to witness how creative, passionate, energetic, and humorous my students can be when given the opportunity to express themselves away from screens. When we trust them to step away from technology and engage with each other, the outcomes can be remarkably positive.

Exploring Digital Transformation in Education

This video discusses the challenges and slow progress of integrating digital tools into educational settings.

Understanding Learned Helplessness and Tech Literacy Crisis

This video analyzes the impact of technology on students' learning experiences, especially concerning the phenomenon of learned helplessness.

Read more of Lauren Barrett’s works on LaurenBarrettWrites.com