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.