Is Your Child Typing the Whole Day?

I was having a virtual communication with one of my school friend in the USA. During our conversation, she voiced out a concern about the modern education technique in her kids’ schools. She revealed her kids’ were asked to carry only iPad to the school. They never wrote but only browsed their lessons and typed their classwork and homework. All submissions were online; there was no use of paper and pen in the school. She feared her kids may not properly learn to write using pen and paper, and the whole day typing and use of iPad may also lead to related health issues. Post this conversation, I analyze the issue as a learning consultant.

The first thought that came to my mind was “blending traditional and digital learning” so that a child gets the best of both worlds.


Traditional schooling methodology too has some significant benefits, which are essential for building strong foundation for a child’s education. Basic skills, such as writing, reading, social behavior with peers and elders, integrity while working in groups and humanitarian values, can easily be inculcated in a child through conventional learning tools and conventional teacher-student and student-student interaction. But, a complete dependence on the conventional methods has some shortcomings too, which surface more glaringly in this IT savvy age where information gathering is just a click away. Additionally, the conventional tools and methods of interaction have limitations catering to various learner types having different learning styles.


By using online learning having digital media, such as good quality images, videos, 3D graphics, animations and so on, a topic can be explained in a better way as it aids in holding learner’s attention, generates interest and provides better perspective of the topic than the course book description or teacher’s explanation. But even though digitization of learning has certain benefits, complete dependence on it is again not advisable for two prime reasons:
  •  Hindrance in providing holistic education to a child
  • Adverse effect on child’s health due to over-exposure to the technology
This brings me to a query, “Should your child be typing the whole day?” And I would prefer to give a definite “No” as the answer. Just like it is essential for your child to cope with modern ways and technology, it is also essential that your child learns to write by hand, solve math without the use of calculator and use his/her reasoning and analytical skills rather than simply searching the internet. Another point every parent should think about is that if your child is overusing IPad, PC or laptop, he/she is getting exposed to the IT industry related occupational hazards in the tender age itself.

Hence, it is wise to choose an educational system for your child that ensures holistic education by blending the best methods from the traditional and digital learning process.

Comments