Stephanie Effken

    Technology has changed the course of every day life. From how business is done to keeping up one's social network, cell phones and computers have become a necessity for communication.
     The age is getting younger for which children are introduced to their first cell phones and even young students seemingly need a computer for typing papers and doing research.
     With text messaging and instant messaging capabilities on both of these technological devices, young people have created a texting lingo, a language unto itself.
     But does the extent of time young students spend using this lingo affect their performance in the classroom?
     According to Seward Middle School English teacher Deb Sloup and Megan Feibel, an English teacher at Milford Junior High, cell phones made a prevalent appearance in the classroom last year when students tried to text each other in class.
     As for students' academic performance, Amy Hottovy, an English teach at Centennial Public School, said she drills her students on using "U" instead of "you" and even writing "lol" (laugh out loud) in their assignments. She referred to their use of this lingo as a "carry-over, a spillage, a flood," from their text messaging.
     Shirley Gautreaux, a speech and English teacher at Friend Public School, said that spelling has become a problem for her students since technology has become so accessible.
     Sloup agreed and said spelling scores are always the lowest on standardized tests.
     Gautreaux also said that though word processing may make it easier to write a paper and in some ways has made student's writing "more correct" due to spelling and grammar checks, technology such as this has had negative consequences on the neatness of penmanship.
     Beyond the quality of student's writing, technology has brought about a temptation for dishonestly.
     With just a couple clicks of a mouse, the internet has made it easier than ever to plagiarize but Hottovy said it is easy to catch if a teacher knows their students writing. Teachers also need to help their students recognize a credible source, she said, as the internet also brings about much false information.
     Though these teachers think that students are overly dependant on text messaging and the internet for communication, and that with the internet comes some negative aspects of work ethic and honesty, they also see a positive side to the growing use of technology.
     While students may use cell phones to keep in contact with their friends, it is also a way to keep in contact with their parents. Sloup said it is best for students to have phones if they are staying after school for an event.
     It has also made learning new and valuable information more accessible and, if a student can find credible sources, has made the age of research quicker than ever before.
     As for the future, Hottovy said she hopes technology will stay a tool instead of a "fix-it-all."
     "I still want them to think for themselves," she said.
     Hottovy also said Centennial is in the process of integrating more technology into their classes using a "clicker" program. This program provides remotes for students with which they can answer questions electronically and may eventually lead to electronic test taking.
     Sloup envisions that one day students will no longer even have to type into the computer. This would eliminate spelling mistakes and even the use of texting lingo.
     "But then kids will never think for themselves," Sloup said.