This is the age of the internet and as teachers we have to take into account that we cannot avoid students being exposed to technology. New generations were born in a digital environment and we have to help them to be informed citizens and to be aware of the correct use of technology in the school and out of the classroom, in real life. It is absolutely true that students can express themselves in better ways when they have a smartphone or a computer of their own but sometimes they do not have any idea of what is reliable on the web or what is not.

On the other hand it is also true that technology can be very beneficial for  teachers and can help them with their workload. Our responsibility as educators is to find the correct resources online to use in our classes. Since technology can be dangerous or harmful, we have to monitor our students in the classroom to make sure they are not misusing the technological devices they have in their hands during the class and let them know what are the pros and the cons of technology outside the classroom. 

Karisma Juarez

Using social media in  a classroom can be a good option for students to keep in touch by being respectful with their classmates, also use them in the appropriate time.

Many teachers agree with use technological resources in education which is a good option for students and for teachers as well but there is a lack of theorical resources and also confidence, not all teachers feel prepared to handle/use technology in the classroom.

As a conclusion I can say that technology is part of our daily life and we need to learn to handle it, as part of our daily life teachers and students should be mentally prepared to apply them in the educational context. There are good resources that can help students to develop a good knowledge in languages or any other topic also if we made it attractive students will feel comfortable and will enjoy the class.

Emmanuel Mayo

Technology has reached every single aspect of our lives. The pandemic made us rely on technological resources more than ever in human history. Education was for sure one of the areas where ICT impacted the most. Now, back to the new normality, how well are we integrating these just learned tools?

Cellphones were in class way before the pandemic and even when some teachers were reluctant about its usage, they had to take advantage of what they had in hands to cope as good as they could with the current crisis. Now, back in in person classes, it seems like a good opportunity to reconcile teaching and technology. There seems to be a debate between the significant upgrade technology is in class and the distraction it can be for some students, especially when we consider cellphones.  Also, there is concern about the information young students will have access to, and how will they manage this information as well.  About this matter, we cannot deny the fact that even if we do not use technology in class, students are more likely to interact with technology when they get home, or when they gather friends either way. It is a fact, and it is our social responsibility to guide children through the right path. To stimulate their critical thinking, their creativity, to provide opportunities for them to learn how to communicate effectively and to collaborate. We need to teach them about the greatness of technology but also about the dangers that come with it. Great power comes with great responsibility, and information is power. We do not have a choice and must prepare ourselves to take the new generations from the information era to the knowledge era, the era of consciousness.  

-Sofia Sanchez