Introduction
In the modern-day educational environment, technology plays a fundamental role in accelerating knowledge distribution and transforming the overall approach to learning. The increased access to the Internet made it possible for both teachers and students to be at the forefront of digitalization. However, it remains controversial how the Internet may affect one’s ability to learn and comprehend the knowledge and further apply it to reap the benefits of technology capabilities. Given that technology transformation has been rapidly seizing many aspects of life, the Internet made a significant contribution to the educational system and kept redefining the traditional approaches to learning.
The Summary of the Readings
The study about the Internet implies a broad spectrum of constant research and knowledge because of the ever-developing technology in current educational settings. For this reason, the Internet’s transformative impact on people’s ability to learn is conflicting, which is why it is crucial to examine the current research. Puspita and Rohedi study the influence of Internet use on students in various contexts, including its impact on learning and seeking information online. According to the authors, the Internet is the easiest tool for finding the necessary information online with the help of search engines. Therefore, such a global system is widely applied for educational purposes due to “a variety of literature and references of knowledge” that comply with students’ needs (Puspita and Rohedi 4). However, the research findings reveal that 34.17% of respondents rarely use the Internet to learn and seek information and 31.67% demonstrate a positive correlation. The study concludes that the Internet negatively impacts students’ ability to learn and use the knowledge obtained online since it became an addiction. The use of Internet technology for learning activities is dramatically low and less supported by the learners themselves.
Alzahrani and O’Toole present another critical research on students’ experience with the Internet and their attitudes towards using this controversial tool in blended learning. Compared to the previous study, this research states that students showcase positive attitudes toward using the Internet in general. The authors believe that it is more likely that the Internet will only amplify its role in students’ lives since it significantly helps them stay informed about daily news and continuously updated educational research. In addition, the Internet might completely change the approach to developing curriculum in the future as it will focus more on “students’ preferences and learning skills” (Alzahrani and O’Toole 75). The most interesting part of the study was the implementation of the blended type learning. Such an approach to the learning process ensures more flexible study, which helps balance the time more effectively and focus on different aspects of life. Hence, the positive attitudes towards using the Internet for learning facilitate the success of educational activities and the development of knowledge.
The final study used for this research is particularly important as it analyzes the impact of the Internet and related technologies on learning capabilities online from a comprehensive and detailed perspective. Banica et al. emphasize the role and responsibility of educators in integrating the Internet and all the digital technologies into the learning environment. Despite the evidence of the disruptive impact of technology on modern education, it is highly crucial to become more flexible and open to implementing such assets for learning. With the digital transformation and Internet dynamics, students are becoming more tech-savvy than ever before, and teachers must keep up with them. Paper documentation is changed by using smart devices that have all the needed information and give the opportunity to learn at students’ own pace. Banica et al. claim that using the Internet is positive as it transforms the current approach to education and makes it more “student-centric and efficient” (55). Therefore, the mindful combination of education and the Internet enables a much simpler and faster learning process and enhances the level and quality of students’ knowledge.
Developing Unique Argument
The topic of Internet usage in the contemporary educational space remains confusing because experts’ opinions considerably differ. Nevertheless, the main argument of this research is that the Internet has a significant positive impact on learning and has many promising implications for the future digital-driven educational sector. The new emerging concept of the Internet has a great potential to eliminate the existing boundaries to education, including location, geography, language barriers, and socio-economic development. The last year was a unique challenge for the entire educational system worldwide due to the spread of COVID-19. The Internet allowed the development of e-learning and dramatically modified education by shifting it to digital platforms.
First, the Internet changes both students’ and professors’ perspectives and experiences on learning and ways of being involved in the study process. Technology helps teachers stay focused on a more personalized approach to every student by adapting their course material and practical learning activities. Second, innovative technology and many online platforms changed the conventional methods of teaching and learning: creating graphics presentations and textbooks, enabling access to eBooks, online quizzes, and visual projects. Such methods are becoming more compelling for modern tech-proficient students. Third, outside access to the Internet through Wi-Fi helps teachers monitor students’ academic performance and share the resources to foster learning capabilities.
Conclusion
The emergence of the Internet and all the digital technology forced modern society to massively shift towards the online space and readjust the traditional educational process. The study concludes that the Internet positively affects the learning abilities of students, as well as the teaching practices on the international level. It provides an immense amount of benefits and opportunities to develop a more intelligent and technology-oriented generation. The digital revolution has entered the field of education and keeps reorganizing the internal learning system and its future.
Works Cited
Alzahrani, Majed Gharmallah, and John Mitchell O’Toole. “The Impact of Internet Experience and Attitude on Student Preference for Blended Learning.” Journal of Curriculum and Teaching, vol. 6, no. 1, 2017, pp. 65–78. Web.
Banica, Logica, et al. “The Impact of Internet-Of-Things in Higher Education.” Scientific Bulletin – Economic Sciences, vol. 16, no. 1, 2017, pp. 53–59.
Puspita, Rayna, and D. Rohedi. “The Impact of Internet Use for Students.” IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, vol. 306, no. 012106, 2018, pp. 1–7. Web.