Two Arguments Against Using Internet in the Classroom

The main argument for technology use in the classroom is that students should be able to apply classroom concepts to their daily lives, and they should know how to use technology because it a large part of the adult working world.  However, there are many arguments against technology use in the classroom; two arguments that I will discuss are issues with internet connection and distraction.





Issues with Internet Connection

One argument against using technology in the classroom is potential issues with internet connection.  For those that teach English, the encouraged use of reading and writing companions, like the educational software StudySync, is pretty common.  Internet-related problems can occur when everyone is online at one time.
 Consider this: every classroom has at least twenty students.  If all of your students are accessing the same lesson on their laptop or tablet simultaneously, this can take up a lot of internet bandwidth.  If teachers plan their lessons around online resources and the internet is down due to heavy traffic, it puts stress on the teacher to come up with a new lesson plan on the fly, and valuable instruction time is wasted when you and your students have to wait to be reconnected to the internet.

Distraction

The second argument against using technology in the classroom is that it's a potential cause for distraction.  Teachers cannot be in every spot of their classroom at any given time to check whether or not students are using learning apps or checking Facebook.  It is possible for teachers to use filtered browsing on school-issued devices to cut down distractions, but this option wouldn't impact students' personal devices.  Lastly, students who have their devices out or open during lecture are much less likely to be actively listening to the lecture being given.