TECHNOLOGY

How does the negative side of technology affect students, teachers and society at large?

Technology is like magic that charges our energy, but its adverse side is that it is intoxicating and obsessive. As result, we may unconsciously ignore our relationships, interests, passions and creativity. We have almost become an extension of our devices. Technology is both a boon and a bane, on one hand, it is impossible to survive without it as it is integrated into everything nowadays but on the other hand health issues, lifestyle diseases, cybercrimes are increasing rapidly. 

Excessive screen time is taking students away from physical activities and their physical development is at high risk. All stakeholders really need to be careful while exposing a child to technology and should promote self-discipline, effective social interactions, enhancement of teacher contact and proper time management of screen time to have healthy students and society in future.

Q How do teachers keep up with the daily challenges of digital classes and academic assistance to students?

Teachers have been like ‘frontline warriors’ dealing with change and doing their best to excel in their virtual online classrooms. For them managing the virtual classroom, promoting teaching-learning and conducting effective assessments along with follow-ups and reporting to parents was a challenge as they faced issues of inadequate gadgets, poor internet connectivity, lack of training, consistent technical evolution, guiding students in their technical issues, teaching in virtual parameters with the absence of real stimulating environment selection of teaching-learning resources and managing their attitudes and beliefs about the dynamic technological world.

All these hurdles were overcome by our proactive teachers effectively, and we, therefore, glided to a new session on time.

Q How do educators still stay connected to their students and guide them around these issues like relationship anxiety, depression?

Schools to tackle this issue resorted to online counselling not only limited with school counsellors but with every teacher. There were a lot of web conferences by famous counsellors and students were a part of those sessions. Regular parent-teacher meets and consistent contact helped. Teachers organised chat sessions, online picnics to encourage a feeling of informal classrooms. Students were given the freedom to call and talk about their problems to their teachers. This helped to control anxiety and depression. 

Q: What is that one change you want to see in the students, society, and the nation?

Creativity, skilling and development of different personality traits, leadership qualities, and others will help progress both individual and social. The fulfilment achieved will transform the young to be forthright, sensitive, empathetic, broadminded and achievement-oriented. We just need the desire, determination and drive to do so. So let’s move towards it.