Of time learning and technology…..
“Matter
is something which occupies space and has weight”. This definition of matter is
so finely etched in my memory that I can recall it even when I turn 80, courtesy,
my science teacher (Std. V) who gave me the punishment to write it 100 times
for not being able to recall exactly. ROTE
was my ladder to success irrespective of the fact that ubiquitous “matter”
remained an alien to me for long.
Class rooms and teachers have
undergone a significant transformation. Today’s class rooms are no more
inanimate. They are vibrant, pulsating places witnessesing practically everyday
students honing their oratory, dramatics, scientific and literary skills (just
to name a few). Teacher is not the only speaker in the class; the co-speakers
are students and technology.
Given these ideal conditions
of education one can only imagine its byproduct to be a highly informed and
truly knowledgeable individual. This perception is validated by the fact that
students scores in Board Examinations have compelled some of the colleges to
raise their cut offs to a perfect century.
I wish to see this entire scene once
again but with a magnifying glass this time, mainly to discover those fine
cracks which still exist in our education system. Today when all information is
available on a mouse click that too, crisp and customized, something for which
our parents and grandparents had to spend hours in the library or under the
lamp browsing each page, I am still doubtful of the amount of real knowledge
being absorbed by the students.
The research work or the project work
undertaken by a child mostly reflects the ‘Google cut-paste culture’. The
beautifully decorated information once reaches the assessment table appeals the
teacher’s aesthetic faculty leading to the child securing an A grade.
The significant purpose of imbibing
knowledge through that research/project work does not meet its desired end. The
very same technology which makes education easier and interesting somewhere
throttles the spirit of research.
It is said that our mind is in the
state of meditation when we are creating something. An assignment on poster
making on a given topic naturally draws a child to “Google Images” to get
countless ideas and an opportunity for the child’s indigenous creativity to
find an expression is lost. Infact the google syndrome has so deeply mechanized
our brain that it refuses to think before a google click. We can hardly match
up the league of yesteryears novelists, dramatists, poets and painters. What
made their work unique was their individual thought, the passion and the feel
behind their creative work.
Efforting one’s brain is essential for
increasing its folds and hence one major aspect which is still grossly missing
in our class rooms is the thought process, engagement of mind, involvement of
students to explore, absorb knowledge and to create new things.
Our education system is changing and
definitely changing for better but at each step we need to be cautious that we
don’t digress from our real purpose.
Technology
is an indispensible part of our everyday life. We are fortunate to be born in
the world where technology offers simple solutions to many of our complex
problems but unfortunately it is used more as a gaming gadget by our new
generation and a quick means to fake knowledge.
It is seen that an average student
spends a quarter of his time on internet of which a gross 80% is graciously
donated to social networking. This huge encroachment of internet on a students’
valuable time needs to be controlled. Internet is a vast resource which if used
in a thoughtful manner by the student -teacher team can catalyse the teaching-
learning process to spontaneity.
Hence
we as Educationists and parents have to realize the seamless utility of
technology and handle it in such a way, that its optimum and apt usage is
ensured.
