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. 

Technology can support (or hinder) teaching and learning in Pakistan

When I joined this course, I thought that I will learn how to teach using technology but I came to know that pedagogy is also very important part of teaching and learning. There is a concept of the stratosphere that shows the importance of trio of new pedagogy, technology and change knowledge.  A Few decades ago, in Pakistan, it was considered that teacher is the boss of the school and class and total education system was teacher-centric. The teacher was the only source for students to seek knowledge. This method of teaching where the student only gets lectures in the classroom was not so engaging because student starts getting bored. Then technology was introduced in classrooms and it helped both teachers and students in teaching and learning. I feel that teachers had more burden before technology because they have to make their teaching style more interesting but it is difficult when he/she only has to just speak in front of students for hours. Now teachers have internet access and a wide range of study related content. Teachers can show subject related videos, tutorials and simulation in the class by using projectors or multimedia. Before joining the course “Learning through Pedagogy and Technology” I didn’t know how technology is helping students and teachers in learning. Now I came to know that how social media, videos, multimedia and simulation software. I have played different games but never thought that games can also be used in learning. Games are the most useful way of learning as it improves logical and critical thinking skills of students. I liked the activity in class where the class was divided into two groups where one group was techno-enthusiasts who were in the favour of technology and the other group was techno-dissenters who were in favour of the traditional way of teaching. This activity showed how technology and pedagogy are important in learning and teaching. I have seen people with the misconception that if a student has access to internet and technology then there is no need for teachers in classrooms. But this course tells me how technology and pedagogy are linked together. Only technology or lecture method cannot be used for teaching. This means that a teacher cannot be replaced by technology. There are some disadvantages of technology like addiction, cyberbullying, less creativity etc. These problems can be solved when we will learn how to use technology in education. If students know that we have a fixed time to use technology and someone, can be a teacher, administrator or lab assistant, is supervising them they will use technology for the educational purposes only. But we can’t deny the fact that technology is a part of life now and it is improving Pakistan’s education system. I am sure that this course “Learning through pedagogy and technology” I will come to know how to use the blend of technology and traditional learning in a more productive way.