The influence of technology on the educational landscape

By Shreya Aggarwal

The impact of technology on education is a subject of ongoing debate, with opinions divided on whether it has been a boon or a bane. The question arises: is today’s generation better off with traditional tools like paper and pen, or are modern computers and smartphones shaping a better future? Undoubtedly, technology has significantly influenced education, bringing about both advantages and disadvantages.

“If we teach today as we taught yesterday, we rob our children of tomorrow.”  In the rapidly evolving landscape of education, technology has emerged as a powerful force. It cannot be denied that technology has proven to be a great tool for both students and teachers. It has helped students to research and find answers to their questions in just a matter of seconds instead of spending hours at a library. Teachers now use various educational platforms to create notes and assignments for their students. They can now also study beforehand to give a better lecture to their students. Technology has also become useful during the Covid-19 pandemic. Due to the innate use of computers and laptops only, students across the seven seas had successfully studied as they used to during their regular schools for two and a half years. Exams and assessments were also successfully conducted through the online mode. Students are now being taught on smart boards instead of the older blackboard and chalk. Entrance exams like JEE and JEE Advanced for engineering are also conducted through online mode only instead of on papers. Aspirants for different fields can now give multiple mock tests through computers, laptops, and mobile phones which helps them prepare better. Study material for different courses and lectures on different chapters are now easily available on different platforms like YouTube, Unacademy, Byjus, and many more. Technology has played a crucial role in making education more accessible. So, in this new age, if children are not familiar with technology from an early age, then how are they going to move forward in their lives and careers? So, “Do not confine your children to your own learning, for they were born in another time.” 

“Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.” Though technology may seem like a really great tool and harmless at first, it too has its own disadvantages. It can’t be denied that computers, mobile phones, and several electronic gadgets are the main reasons for several diseases that are commonly seen in young children today. It has been found that more than twenty-five percent of children aged between two to seventeen years now wear glasses. Instead of using technology for their educational benefit, children are addicted to screens and spend all of their time playing video games and scrolling through social media platforms which keeps them bound to their home with little to no physical activity. This has led to a lack of exercise obesity, and even diabetes in young children. Though technology has helped students with their studies the students who use several AI (artificial intelligence) tools to receive spoon-fed answers at just a click in a matter of few seconds are left with undeveloped skills. Their assignments are copied and pasted and they may use technology to cheat on their tests and that’s why they may receive an A+ on their report cards but not in their lives. “The earlier we introduce screens the more it affects the child’s brain development and the more likely they will have trouble managing their addiction to screens and technology later in life.”

“It’s important that if we want our kids to grow up as responsible, independent and happy adults that they realize that technology is a privilege, it’s not a right.“  Seeing both the aspects of the impact of technology on education we can say that it has both advantages and disadvantages. The conclusion we can derive from the above discussion is that if technology is used correctly and wisely, it can prove to be a very useful tool or it can become fatal for the young generation. So, the key is that children should be in charge of technology and not vice-versa.