Consensus among academicians: Must embrace tech despite perils

Over 50 principals from Shimla and nearby places attended The Tribune Principals’ Meet on ‘Technology Integration in Schools: Opportunities and Challenges’ here today.

The Tribune hosted the event in association with Chitkara University. Robin Sawan, a facilitator and coach, was the speaker for the session.

All principals participating in the session agreed that the integration of technology in schools for better learning experience was inevitable. However, they admitted that technology had emerged as a double-edged sword.

They asserted that latest technology, including artificial intelligence, had opened up a new world for teachers and students, but it also included several drawbacks.

The participants, including the keynote speaker, listed reduced attention span and cognitive skills, poor social skills, petulance, low self-confidence, health and mental issues as major side-effects of over-dependence on technology among children.

Yet, most agreed that there was no escape from technology and it had to be embraced to provide students better learning experience. “It’s critical to integrate technology in schools as technology is coming in, whether we like it or not. Teachers need to constantly update themselves about new technologies to be able to stay a step ahead of students,” said Sawan.

St Edward’s Principal Anil Sequeira agreed that there was no choice other than embracing technology, despite the adverse effects it can have on young minds.

“If India has to go to the next level, we have no choice, but to integrate technology in schools. We need to start training our teachers and students in the use of technology,” he asserted.

Sawan said, “The benefits of technology outweigh its drawback as it breaks time and distance barriers, which hinder learning for many, and gives students access to top educators and unlimited knowledge and information. Moreover, to facilitate smooth integration of technology in schools, shortcomings like inadequate infrastructure support and inadequately trained teachers would need to be addressed.”

Need to ensure judicious use for learning, train teachers in latest technologies

The biggest takeaway from the session for me was the learning on ‘how to identify the problems that come with technology and how to address them’. Also, how do we integrate teaching methodology and technology? Through this session we have taken the first step towards identifying the problems that technology could bring and how to move forward.

Reuben John, principal, Auckland House School for Boys, Shimla

The meet was very fruitful as we discussed various opportunities and challenges that the technology brings to the world. Technology is a part of the modern society and we should make all efforts to ensure that our students are equipped in handling basic technology. We make all efforts to ensure that our teachers also keep themselves updated with new technology.

Rakhi Pandit, principal, Government Girls Model Senior Secondary School, Portmore

It was a great joy to attend the programme, which was very informative. Since technology has become a part of the teaching system, it is imperative for everyone to learn how to utilise it effectively. One must ensure that technology is being used for the benefit of the children and not as a distraction.

Sunita John, Director, Auckland House School, Shimla

We simply cannot keep technology away from us as it is a part of today’ system. In our school, we are using technology, but not at a large scale. Our children are far better in using and adopting technology than we are.

Tesvin SD, principal, St Mary’s Convent School, Kasauli

It was an excellent event, where we learned how technology was helping students as well as about the many challenges it poses. Students must know how to use it in a judicious way. Parents, schools and society play an important role in making sure that technology is used for learning purpose.

Monika Gupta, principal, BL Central Public School, Karsog

The resource person informed us about a very relevant issue as technology has become a pivotal part of our lives in the current times. At the event, we also got an opportunity to interact with other principals. The Tribune should continue hosting such events on topical issues.

Sangeeta Shonik, principal, JNV, Theog

If India has to go to the next level, we have no choice but to integrate technology in schools. We need to start training our teachers and students in the use of technology. Of course, there are downsides to the use of technology, but we have to look at the positives and start working in that direction.

Anil Sequeira, Principal, St Edward’s School, Shimla