Classroom Analysis

How many times have you accessed the internet today? The use of the internet and technology has risen greatly over the years. In 2012, the number of internet users in the United States increased by 8.8 percent, which is a whopping 2.4 million users. In 1977 the very first personal computer was marketed by Apple. By the year 198, two million personal computers were made in the United States. In 2013, 83.8 percent of United States households reported owning a computer, with 78.5 percent of all households having a desktop or laptop computer, and 63.6 percent having a hand-held computer. With such a large increase of computer and technology in the United States, the rising question of whether or not computer games should be used in classroom instruction
A growing body of research has shown these traits are critical to success in later life” (Paul, Para 14). ‘Soft skills’ are traits that every person needs to succeed in life, yet these skills are the hardest for children to develop. In Punder County Schools, they have started to use a game curriculum in 12 schools to develop these soft skills. In the elementary schools students play ‘Mindcraft’ together to build and conquer tasks, such as building a mini-city, building railroad tracks, and constructing fishing poles to catch fish. Some individuals may say that this use of videogames in class is a waste of time, but Lucas Gillispie, the districts technology coordinator for this game curriculum notes that the students talk about their classes and the work they do throughout the day. Middle schooler Zeelie Scruggs says she looks forward to class every day because she gets to play video games in class, “I like it because we learn how to work with each other to overcome challenges, and we can keep trying something until we figure out the best way to do it” (Paul, Para 16). When I was in elementary and middle school, I dreaded sitting at a desk. The thought of sitting in a classroom for an hour staring at my teacher talk about subjects I did not care about made me shiver.
Technology in today’s classrooms can take away valuable learning time, the over use of technology, and it can also turn educational experiences into games for students (Para 1). She argues that if teachers and students are not experienced with technology, valuable time is often wasted on technical troubles. If the use of computers are incorporated into schools starting in elementary schools students will be able to operate a computer efficiently. Also teachers would be educated on how to use technology and have experience with how to operate a computer and other technical devices. Additionally, she argues that the overuse of technology can be a problem in the classroom, taking away time from learning in class. If teachers are taught how to use a computer effectually for class time, then overuse of games would be completely obsolete. Lastly, Klaus argues that if teachers do not address that the games used in class are strictly for education, students may get distracted and get off of task quickly. It is the responsibility of the teacher as an educator to prepare his/her class properly. Of course students are going to get distracted, its human nature. It is the job of the teacher to watch and educate their students on how a curriculum is supposed to be