The Pros and Cons of Tech in the Classroom

What We Believe

Technology has become deeply embedded in modern education, transforming how students learn, how teachers teach, and how schools operate from kindergarten through high school.

Educational technology, including computers, tablets, learning platforms, artificial intelligence, and interactive applications can provide significant benefits: increasing student engagement, supporting diverse learners, and preparing students for an increasingly digital workforce.

However, its growing presence also creates important challenges like student distractions, data privacy concerns, and the potential decline of interpersonal and social skills. The evidence suggests that technology is most effective when it serves as a tool to support strong teaching rather than as a replacement for teachers or traditional educational practices. Simply providing students with devices does not guarantee improved academic outcomes; successful technology integration requires thoughtful implementation and ongoing evaluation.

This report analyzes the pros and cons of having technology in the classroom.

Yazmin Navarro

As an immigrant, Yazmin Navarro was taught the importance of a great education. Since then, she has strived to ensure the success of a strong education for generations to come. As an award-winning educator and American diplomat to El Salvador, Yazmin has served both students and families in both the United States and around the world, giving her a unique perspective on education. Yazmin has worked with children and families from all walks of life, including gifted and talented students, special needs students, at-risk youth, and English language learners. She has also worked with students in out-of-school-time programs. She has been hands-on in the classroom teaching, as well as creating programs that will improve education for children. As a Department of State employee, Yazmin never forgot her roots in education and continued serving youth through a Department of State-sanctioned program while stationed abroad in El Salvador. Yazmin continues to volunteer by teaching Spanish in her local community and serving as a volunteer at her daughter’s school. Yazmin was the first in both her close and extended family to not only graduate from high school but to attend college. After graduation, she pursued her college degrees. She graduated with her bachelor’s degree in English in 2012 and in 2015 finished her master’s in public administration. Yazmin currently resides in Johnstown with her husband, who honorably retired from the Marine Corps after faithfully serving for 20 years, and her school-aged daughter who attends public school.

At Advance Colorado, we believe in an education system that puts Colorado parents and students first through a system that emphasizes:

At the heart of Colorado’s school system is school choice, in which our state has been a national trailblazer for decades. – a system that has enjoyed deep, bipartisan support.

What We Do

We craft cutting edge policies that empower parents, taxpayers, and teachers and push back on the status quo interests that resist reform.

Our 2024 Policy Agenda includes several important education reform priorities. Read it HERE

This year, we are leading the charge to protect the school choice rights we currently have – rights that are annually under siege from the education establishment groups that want to eliminate your right to choose the best school for your children. We can secure our rights into the future through a school choice amendment to the Colorado Constitution.

Read our policy brief on this important issue HERE.

What You Can Do

We help citizens become advocates and leaders.

Whether you are a concerned parent, grandparent or taxpayer, Advance Colorado can equip you with the knowledge and tools to be an effective advocate for high quality, accountable schools. Learn more about our ambassador program.

And if you are interested in running to become a member of your local school board, you can apply to participate in the Advance Colorado Academy New Leader program. LINK If you are a current school board member, you can enroll in our “You’ve Won, Now What?” program. Learn more about our “You’ve Won, Now What?” program.