With the increasing popularity of computers and calculators student literacy is decreasing dramatically What are the positive and negative effects the progress of science and technology has brought about

Breakthroughs in science and technology have undoubtedly facilitated the life of students on many fronts. Nevertheless, they have brought some ills in their wake as will be discussed in this essay.

On one hand, the acquisition of knowledge has been speeded up and eased. The cheapness and variety in electronic devices coupled with the ubiquitous use of the internet have brought knowledge within the click of a mouse. This means that students can be spared the tedious and lengthy journey to the nearest library to conduct research tasks. They can even opt not to attend classes as novelties such as distance-learning courses, online lectures and correspondence with teachers via emails and blogs enable them to study at home at any time convenient to them.

Unfortunately, this explosion of knowledge and study facilities has impeded people’s ability to analyze facts. Calculators and advanced programs can conduct complex operations within seconds, explaining their popularity in educational institutions. Teaching staff at these organizations also face new threats in regards to cheating and plagiarism methods. With sophisticated search engine tools, students can simply download a model essay to submit as part of their schoolwork or fraudulently obtain examination materials in advance. As they fail to put in any effort, in the long-run, students do not acquire the necessary numerical, literacy and analytical skills pivotal to a successful career. Their learning ability is further impaired when their time spent at school is dedicated to texting or surfing the web for the latest trend instead of employing these tools for educational purposes.

To conclude, the recent development in the scientific and technological fields has the ability to empower students to acquire knowledge in a faster and easier fashion. These merits can, nonetheless, be lost if their usage is not constantly monitored by responsible adults.