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.
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