Does Technology Influence Learning?

Does technology influence learning? Since the 20th century there has been a disagreement on whether or not technology affects education. Clark argues that technology is a tool that can be used in effective instruction. This tool is only effective at surface level, and will not be able to attain depth of knowledge on its own. He also notes that the research attempts of this subjects are inconclusive, as they would need replaceability tests. In one study, drill and practice achieved the same results in the classrooms with and without the technology. Kozma, however, believes that educational technology is a design science. If there is not yet a relationship between technology and learning, we can forge one. Rather than asking "does technology affect learning?", he is posing, "will technology affect learning someday?" To see video recap about this, click here. My position on this matter is with Clark. I do believe that the instruction is what matters, and the technology is a tool. I wanted to be on board with Kozma in his beliefs that we can create a way for technology to influence learning alone, but it doesn't fit with the psychology of learning. In Lev Vygotsky's social development theory, making meaning depends largely on social interaction, a more knowledgeable person, and the zone of proximal development. Technology can come into play here in all three aspects, but I do not believe it can replace the primal need of face to face. What media does do, is allow us to hit the four learning styles (whether you believe in those or not) in a shorter amount of time. I would like to note that this debate began in the 90's, and we still do not have a sufficient amount of studies in the field of educational technology. Without accurate studies, it would be irresponsible to claim that a deep level of meaning can be obtained virtually.