What Is The Role Of Technology In The Primary Education?

I was visiting one of the family friends when I saw a two-year-old is using a smartphone better than me. She knew how to unlock, how to open a specific app, and even use the app. It was a moment of mixed feelings. On one side, I was glad that children these days are sharp according to their age, but on the other hand, I was wondering whether they need to use technology at such a young age.

Parenting these days is hard, and working parents let their children use technology because they cannot give time to the children.

Schools are also widely using technology in the classroom, but the question is whether the technology is enhancing the learning process or it is hampering the development, knowledge, and skills of the students.

Technology has widely changed the overall learning process, and classrooms are now tech-oriented more than ever.

But can technology replace teachers, textbooks, and pens with tablets, computers, and iPad?

Several studies have reported the negative impact of the use of technological devices in class like a report from Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development has concluded that use of computers in the classrooms are associated with a poor result in math, science and reading comprehension.

IPad and other gadgets will also slow the learning and especially the writing abilities of the students. With the touch screen, children are not able to practice writing on the notebooks; therefore, their writing skills are declining.

But does that mean the technology itself is bad? I would say, probably not! The use of it makes it good or bad.

If technology is used innovatively with critically understanding, then it will lead to positive results.

For example, if a teacher has carefully devised a curriculum that has some integration of technology, then it can enhance the skills and knowledge of the students just the way American primary schools in Dubai are employing in their schools.  

With the right kind of technology integration and infrastructure support as well as trained teachers, it can positively impact the learning process.

What is the best way to increase the interest of primary children in learning?

Games, games and more games!

Using game-based learning is a proven method that eases the learning process. The teacher can use several games to engage children in the learning process. Digital games are trending in the classroom as they are not only interesting but also are appropriate for skill-building, problem-solving, and acquisition of knowledge.

But BE MINDFUL of the choice of games. Some games are violent and do not portray a positive image. Some games are racist, sexist, and biased, so a teacher should not want to present that kind of gaming to the children in the classroom at any level.  

Children enrolled in primary schools are in the development stage, and most of them have a great tendency to learn at a fast pace. Technology is an interesting innovation because it itself is not bad, but the way you use it makes it good and evil. Using technology in classrooms and homes is a crucial concept because if not employed right, it can destroy the development, intelligence, and in some cases, the future of your child.

Parents and teachers also need to distinguish between good and bad technology as well as screen time. They are in charge, so they need to put most of the positive aspects of the technology. In other words, there needs to be the right balance between technology and learning in traditional, and balancing can become tricky.

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