Assignment Prompt & Instructions
**175 words each**
Post 1
Returning to school after twenty years has really opened my eyes to how much technology has changed education. When I think about the impact of COVID-19, it is clear that the pandemic pushed schools at every level—early learning, K–12, and college—into relying on technology in ways that many were not fully prepared for. What stood out to me most is how the shift to online learning exposed differences between communities. Some students were able to transition smoothly because they already had devices and internet access, while others struggled just to log in to class. Research shows that the pandemic highlighted existing educational inequalities, especially for students in lower-income communities who lacked reliable access to technology (Dorn et al., 2020).
From my own experience, learning today looks completely different from when I was younger. I remember using textbooks, writing everything by hand, and going to the library to find information. Now, as both a student and someone working in education, I see classrooms using smartboards, digital platforms, and online assignments every day. Technology has made learning more accessible and immediate. Students can now find information quickly, participate in virtual activities, and even take assessments online. According to Hodges et al. (2020), the rapid move to digital learning during COVID-19 changed how instruction is delivered and how students engage with content.
There are clear benefits to this shift. Technology keeps students engaged and allows teachers to use tools that make lessons more interactive. Programs that monitor student activity also help teachers stay on top of what students are doing during class. At the same time, there are some downsides. I have noticed that students are not writing as much, and their handwriting skills are not as strong. Too much screen time can also be overwhelming, and for some students, devices can become more of a distraction than a learning tool.
Overall, my experience has shown me that technology is now a major part of education. While it brings many opportunities, it also requires balance to make sure students are truly learning and not just clicking through assignments.
**References**
Dorn, E., Hancock, B., Sarakatsannis, J., & Viruleg, E. (2020). _COVID-19 and student learning in the United States: The hurt could last a lifetime._ McKinsey & Company.
Hodges, C., Moore, S., Lockee, B., Trust, T., & Bond, A. (2020). The difference between emergency remote teaching and online learning. _Educause Review_.
Post 2
Hello everyone,
COVID really changed how people use technology in school at every level. For younger kids, they had to start using things like tablets and video calls way earlier than normal, which I feel like isn’t something they would have been doing as much before. In K-12, everything switched online so fast that a lot of students and teachers had to figure it out as they went, using platforms like Zoom and Google Classroom. In college, it became a lot more about being independent since most of the learning was done online instead of in person.
For me personally, learning with technology has changed a lot over time. When I was younger, we didn’t really depend on it like that. During COVID, I actually took a college class that was being offered for free, and honestly I probably wouldn’t have taken it if everything wasn’t online at the time. That showed me how much more accessible school can be when technology is involved. Now I’m used to doing everything online like turning in assignments and communicating with instructors.
There are definitely some benefits. It makes things more flexible, especially if you’re working or dealing with other responsibilities. You can also access information whenever you need it. But there are downsides too. Not everyone has good internet or the right devices, and it can feel kind of isolating. Also, staying focused at home isn’t always easy. So while technology helps a lot, it’s not perfect.