Working in a school district presents me with a fantastic perspective when it comes to technology impacts on students in the classroom, especially when it comes to primary students (elementary students). Many teachers are quick to throw the iPads down and have the students work, but my concern has always been with the distractions that these devices bring. I often relate problems to money, as following the money seems to always highlight issues being solved. Every year, my budget accounts for thousands of dollars in monitoring software, content filtering, and other services that restrict the technology students have simply due to the distractions that can be found outside of what the device is actually intended for.

Generations of students have gone by without complex technology to aid them, instead previously relying on the teachers themselves. Now, on a daily basis, teachers perform more of a babysitting role than ever before as students work on learning applications. With this information at hand, my question is simple: does this actually help the students, or does it push them to guess the correct answer on questions? While there is certainly data being collected that the teachers can address in classroom instruction, is the time spent on the technology for Pre-K-3rd grade students actually helping the students achieve, or is it simply another measuring tool, disguising what were normally standardized tests?