Negative impact of present technology (Cell phone, Tab, Internet, Social networking) on students

“Necessity is the mother of Invention” and inventions are made for minimizing labor, saving time and performing the task efficiently but depending entirely on it can be termed as addiction and hence addiction is negative.

We live in a high tech world—with high tech classrooms. We reap the benefits of technology by using iPads in class, integrating tweets in presentations, and teaching students by using smart boards. We know many benefits of incorporating technology while teaching such as diversity to lessons, increasing student interaction, making learning joyful, stress less and to bringing new perspectives and knowledge to the class.

Internet is advantageous provided used as a tool of knowledge creation and dissemination. However, when it is used mainly for recreational purpose, it has a drastic effect on youngsters. A research done by educational psychologist Kirschner and Karpinsky reveals that a significant number of internet-using teenagers have joined Social Networking Sites and spend hours using social media. They have difficulty inn completing work. In addition, lack of sleep affects their school assignments. Inappropriate or overuse is negative side and can have serious and long-term consequences. To make the best use of technology, teachers and parents must also recognize their downsides and how to avoid them.

Nowadays school/college going students, if they have to write or know about any topic firstly they refer to internet instead of books. Which shows that they rely on web resources and are habitual of it. Though they get same or new information on it and think their time is utilized but at the same time they start chatting with their friends, gossiping, get involved in social networking. Some lower middle class children start using for enjoyment and playing games. As they are provided costly gadgets like mobile, tab, iPad etc. they spend most of their time on it. Playing outdoor games has reduced interaction with parents or siblings has minimized. We are losing human touch. If we spent some time on ground for exercise then technology will not harm us. Otherwise, eyesight, back pain, headache, indigestion etc. have to be faced.

Exercise is necessary for healthy lifestyle. Technology and exercise should go hand in hand. Negative impact of technology cuts down our working efficiency. Our eye power diminishes, muscles pain and some mental disorders occurs in some cases. We will come out of that by involving in outdoor activities, regular exercises, yoga and so on.

If they have attached on social networking sites in educational groups, take part in group discussion, debate, various competitions then it will be fruitful. It is our duty as a teacher, parents or guardian to let them know about educational uses of these gadgets. However, it is not happening in our country. Students does not seem to be matured enough for using ICT appropriately. On the other hand, only new generation teachers, parents know uses of ICT. There comes the role of parents and teacher to guide them in the right direction as teenage students are more prone to distract themselves from their studies. Technology should be used wherever necessary. If real things/experiences can be shown or given directly then its fine or they should first look for real life situations around them or try to create it on their own.

As a teacher, we should facilitate and keep check on it. Simply giving projects is not enough. Presentation and other understanding checking mechanism must be adopted. Project work should be something, which makes students, apply brain and applicability as per their way. They should not just copy and paste, as it is very much prevalent nowadays. Like some model based on any principle or theory are plagiarized from the internet which loses creativity of the students. Schoolteachers should selects not good-looking model purchased from market but made by students on their own. Which encourages them, boosts confidence and creativity. Solution to this, which comes to our mind, is to make children work upon the topic, make the projects, and show it in the classroom. We all know that children are very talented they just need to know the correct path to walk on and technology shows both the paths right as well as wrong and it’s a very big responsibility to guide them on correct path.

If we look into on ground level, story is different. Theoretically, it is very useful for development of student but if we look in realistic manner, it is fruitful for only few students and for other it is only cut, copy and paste.

Technology is always for progress. It is up to us how we are using it. If kids are using technology in their studies and we keep watch on them. If we as a teacher are well equipped with technology then students will surely use it for positive things. We have to find out the ways to integrate the technology in education. We simply cannot ignore, avoid or stop using technology. So must have to find the right ways.

So one possible solution to this problem may be effective time management so that one will allocate separate times for social networking and studies. In addition, sound educational ethics and proper supervision by teachers and parents may be an option worth considering.

So finally, we have to be watchful of making best use of technology. Do not underestimate the children and make them completely reliable on technology. Today’s students have tremendous opportunities to learn and to connect by using it. However, with each advantage comes a potential cost. When we understand those costs and can minimize them, we can keep the use of technology positively.

(The above topic was suggested and compiled for wiki by Mr Raju Borkar, PRT, DMS, RIE Bhopal)