Will We Use Technology In The Classroom Or Technology As The Classroom?
Written by Nethra Singhi
Teaching methods constantly adapt to changing technology and social environments. Thus, in tune with the pandemic halting and uprooting traditional schooling, the current buzzwords related to teaching methods are online learning and virtual education.
The pedagogical implications of virtual classrooms versus classrooms with virtual applications are now an ongoing discussion in academia. This article examines the benefits and drawbacks of using technology in the classroom (i.e. combining physical and digital learning) compared to using technology as a classroom (i.e. virtual classrooms).
Technology in the Classroom
In the last decade, the use of technology in the Indian education space has rapidly amplified, with digital learning tools (like computers and tablets) and online modules. Mobile learning apps are being used alongside textbooks and virtual discussion rooms to follow up in case of doubts. This method of ‘phygital learning’ has gained popularity, where both physical and digital mediums are used for maximum emphasis on learning. (Agastya has been using this method for a long time. To learn more, see Agastya’s TechLaTab initiative.)
Is Blended Learning the Way Forward?
Popularly called ‘blended learning,’ this combination of online learning with school-based learning has many advantages. Using the internet in classrooms expands course offerings and learning materials since teachers can link outside resources supporting the topic being covered. They can also use multimedia formats to accommodate auditory, visual, hands-on, and other types of learners.
Technology also helps teachers and students connect outside the classroom to clear doubts and personalise learning. Teachers can also reach out personally to struggling students and provide more personalised teaching than a traditional classroom allows.
The blended learning strategy can accommodate students’ diverse learning styles, as it helps students learn at their own pace. It enables them to work before or after school in ways not possible with full-time conventional classroom instruction.
However, before teachers can look at incorporating online resources, all their students must be able to access the online learning environment. Lack of access, whether for economic or logistic reasons, excludes otherwise eligible students from the course, especially in rural and lower socioeconomic neighbourhoods.
The other disadvantage of introducing technology in a classroom is that it increases the instructors’ workload. They have to design modules for offline as well as online mediums and flesh out activities suitable in each space, which requires more time and input.
Technology as the Classroom
With the pandemic, classrooms have been forced to fully digital spaces, with Zoom meetings and breakout rooms serving as primary learning spaces. This, although being a rushed process, has now become a hot topic whose utilisation and impact needs to be examined.
How Effective is Virtual Learning?
The most significant advantage of online learning is that it can be Anywhere, anytime, and at any pace. The online format allows a dynamic interaction between the instructor and students and among the students themselves. Ideas are shared. Each individual can contribute to the course discussions with much more forethought instead of immediately answering like in a conventional classroom discussion. The synergy in the student-centred virtual classroom is its most vital trait and advantage over the traditional classroom. As discussed before, it also allows much greater access to information, with resources from all around the world.
The other advantage is that children are more prepared to face the world that is rapidly becoming increasingly reliant on technology. They have a good foundation in understanding standard technological devices and their applications.
Technology also allows for more active teaching and learning. This is because engagement can be increased through immediate polls and quizzes, and teachers can also receive immediate feedback and track their students’ progress.
However, similar to blended learning, a significant disadvantage of entirely virtual learning is the access to the internet and a laptop or tablet. While phygital learning can provide learning opportunities for students who cannot afford or are not exposed to digital technology, they are severely disadvantaged in access to instruction and participation.
The other requirement is that both the students and teachers must be digitally literate enough to take advantage of virtual learning fully. If there is no access, there is little hope for digital literacy, and in turn, digital learning. Moreover, if the instructor is not equipped to teach in a virtual environment, it disrupts the learning process.
Virtual learning is also dependent on the student’s maturity and ability to self-regulate their time and self-discipline to utilise these tools entirely. There is a greater responsibility on their part, compared to the conventional classroom where the teachers play a greater role than students. Thus, online learning is not for younger students (like elementary, primary or secondary schools) who have not developed these qualities and are not ready for assuming the responsibility that non-traditional learning requires them to shoulder.
Tangentially, the younger students also require more hands-on learning, which is quite challenging to impart or monitor via virtual lessons. This is also true for subjects for older students, like science experiments, public speaking, and sports. Many aspects of such subjects are best learnt face-to-face, in a traditional learning environment.
Although, the most feared aspect of online learning is children not being prepared for social interactions. Studies have suggested that more individuals throughout society are becoming disconnected and isolated because of technology’s links through social networks. Young children who spend more time engaging with devices may not spend as much time interacting with their peers. This can affect their social and emotional growth.
Implications
As can be seen, technology in the classroom might be more effective than being wholly dependent on technology as a classroom. It allows for maximum flexibility and accommodation of learning styles while providing a relatively more equitable environment for students who may not necessarily have access to the tools required for proper online learning.
Ultimately though, technology is just a piece of hardware or software that is merely a tool to help the teacher deliver the lesson. The teacher’s skill in presenting and connecting content material to their individual students is imperative for the best learning experience.
