Technology within Education

I’ve discussed this a few times today and wondered about what you would think (I’ve just seen the ID post and it reminded me). I have two examples of what seem like education is embracing technology, but also where it can fall down

1) I’ve started university and they’re starting to introduce an electronic register, where a randomly generated code is produced on the lecturers computer and all the students need to log it on an account on their phones via an app/website to say they’re present for that class

2) my sister’s school have scrapped planners and now there’s an online app where teachers post information and homework

There’s obviously benefits of this, it can be accessed any time and there’s no excuses. Aaaand that’s pretty much it. There are BIG disadvantages not limited to but including:

•Lack of internet access at home/uni

•Unpredictability and failure of technology

•Not everyone has a phone

•Not everyone has a phone that can support these apps

•Not everyone with a phone has the space for these apps

There are solutions to this, give them internet at home! Supply iPhones to these kids if they can’t afford it! Dictate what people use their private (and expensive) property for!

How do you feel about this? Is it a benefit or is it a hindrance? And where do you draw the line (do you give them to all or some? What qualifies someone for one for free?)

Ps I’m paying £9,000 a year for my education and I will not be dictated what I can and can’t use my own phone for by them unless out of that money I’m paying they’re handing out smart phones for free but that’s my take on it