Throughout the past 20 years, technology has been introduced to the learning environment. Through this introduction of technology, education—as well as the students—have evolved.

Technology in the learning environment has had many positive and negative effects on students. Spanish teacher Mrs. Carmen Reich, a teacher of 17 years, said, “Technology is good and bad for students. It has positives: you can communicate worldwide in a second, obtain information like never before, and can read any newspaper worldwide. The negative part [is that] students do not have patience to look for or complete homework and [the use of technology has] made penmanship sloppier. Technology has been the right way to go to become equal in the world with other countries.”

Compared to previous generations, people have become more impatient, some say. Their test results come in quickly, their assignments are sent out immediately, and information on any topic can be found in an instant.

History teacher Mrs. Melanie Craven said, “They [the students] want everything fast from lesson delivery and being told an answer when they can’t think of one, and with technology they want to be entertained in class. They prefer videos, PowerPoints and Prezis (a presentation application that uses a canvas instead of a slide); they become more visual but don’t like textbooks on [the] screen.”

The introduction of technology has made students more independent and given them many skills. According to English teacher Mrs. Pamela Sawyer, “They’ve [the students] become more curious. When they have a question they can look it up on the internet and find the answer.” Technology puts students in positions where they have to make choices to demonstrate their skills and learn by interacting and completing a task instead of taking notes. Rather than relying on teachers, students are learning—as well as practicing—subject matter on their own.

Due to new advancements out of the classrooms, some say education has become more difficult as a whole.

One reason, according to Mrs. Sawyer, is that students “have more distractions because of technology and they also have to separate school from pleasure.”

Mrs. Craven said another reason is because things need to be researched and type and, “Not every student has a computer, if they do they may not have internet, and if they have both they do not always have time with the machine.”

Introducing technology has not only made a significant effect on education in general, but it has evolved the world of education.