The use of technology to support learning- Techno Enthusiasts vs Techno Dissenters

Technology has become a part of everyone’s life these days even in schools. Most of the school principals and teachers want their kids to know more about new gadgets but there are also some people who think that technology should not be used within a classroom. In the third week, the class of Learning through Pedagogy and Technology, Dr. Gulab also assigned an activity, in which he asked the class to divide into two groups i.e. techno-enthusiasts and techno-dissenters. I was a part of techno-enthusiasts which were in the favour of technology. We started panel discussion and techno-enthusiasts gave their point that technology is helping in learning because students get more engaged, they can find different simulation software, learning with games, social media is being used in learning, disable children are also getting education, improved writing with WordPress use, distance learning and assessment system is better with technology because there will be no judgment or favouritism of teachers. On the other hand, Techno-dissenters who were in the favour of the traditional way of teaching gave their opinions that using technology costs more than traditional teaching, technology is making children unhealthy, children are suffering from anxiety and depression, children are facing cyberbullying and teacher student-teacher interaction makes learning easier. Then each panel was given two minutes to defend their method of teaching. Even being a techno-enthusiast I accepted that children are becoming addicts of technology and their health is at risk. When sir Gulab asked me how you would defend technology as it is making children stubborn. I replied, “I think it’s a social issue.” Because I think a teacher can only work with students in the class but he/she cannot be responsible for what children are learning at home. Almost all schools arrange a parent-teacher meeting in schools to tell performance of their child. I think teachers should ask parents not to allow children to use technology for hours. There must be a fixed time for children to use technology in class and home as well and teacher in school and parents at home should be supervising children that how they are using technology. I learned from this activity that technology and pedagogy are meant to be used together because we cannot rely on any one of these. Technology can never replace teachers and at the same time, the traditional way of teaching is also outdated now because everyone prefers to learn with the blend of technology and lecture method.