Over time our understanding of how technology is effecting the minds of those who use it, specifically children, has changed. In 2002 Clements and Sarama spoke of the wondrous things that technology was doing for children in the classroom. They talk about how computers have brought students together instead of isolating them (p. 341). And it is surprising how quickly young students can pick up on the fundamentals of using a computer. Computers can be used to teach in ways that we could not achieve otherwise.
However, looking just 7 years forward, China recognizes internet addiction as a legitimate disease. Stone cites and incident where a high school student became so obsessed with an online game, that "he was spending 10 hours a day playing World of Warcraft" (2009). The same technology that was previously hailed as a breakthrough for education is now a damaging source of addiction.
In large the question remains as to whether technology in youth is more so help or hindrance. Research by Fairlie and Robinson demonstrates that the use of computers may not be as beneficial to students as was thought. Their experiments compared the performance of students who had home computers to those who did not. There findings did not show a substantial benefit either way (2013). There is surely a common sense median to follow that allows us to reap the benefits …show more content…
(2002). The Role of Technology in Early Childhood Learning. Teaching Children Mathematics, 8(6), 340-343. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/41197828
Fairlie, R., & Robinson, J. (2013). Experimental Evidence on the Effects of Home Computers on Academic Achievement among Schoolchildren. American Economic Journal: Applied Economics, 5(3), 211-240. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/43189448
Stone, R. (2009). China Reins in Wilder Impulses in Treatment of 'Internet Addiction' Science, 324(5935), 1630-1631. Retrieved from
However, looking just 7 years forward, China recognizes internet addiction as a legitimate disease. Stone cites and incident where a high school student became so obsessed with an online game, that "he was spending 10 hours a day playing World of Warcraft" (2009). The same technology that was previously hailed as a breakthrough for education is now a damaging source of addiction.
In large the question remains as to whether technology in youth is more so help or hindrance. Research by Fairlie and Robinson demonstrates that the use of computers may not be as beneficial to students as was thought. Their experiments compared the performance of students who had home computers to those who did not. There findings did not show a substantial benefit either way (2013). There is surely a common sense median to follow that allows us to reap the benefits …show more content…
(2002). The Role of Technology in Early Childhood Learning. Teaching Children Mathematics, 8(6), 340-343. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/41197828
Fairlie, R., & Robinson, J. (2013). Experimental Evidence on the Effects of Home Computers on Academic Achievement among Schoolchildren. American Economic Journal: Applied Economics, 5(3), 211-240. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/43189448
Stone, R. (2009). China Reins in Wilder Impulses in Treatment of 'Internet Addiction' Science, 324(5935), 1630-1631. Retrieved from