The rapid evolution of the education system in the Philippines has witnessed a significant shift in incorporating technology to traditional learning.
Over the years, schools have opted to embrace blended or hybrid learning, a system that uses asynchronous (online) and synchronous (face-to-face) approaches across all grade levels. While this strategy was first adopted during the Covid-19 pandemic to curb the spread of the disease by limiting students’ face-to-face interactions, HyFlex has become the standard even after the pandemic.
Technology as inevitable, unavoidable
It’s safe to say that students have been engaged in technology ever since they knew how to work the computer and use the Internet as a learning and research alternative. It’s true that they are now more adept in navigating online tools than actually visiting the library to look for information. It’s inevitable. Information has become so much easier to acquire with the use of smartphones, laptops, tablets, desktops, and other communications devices.
‘Drowning in information’
But as they say, with great computing power, comes great responsibility. For young minds, a sea of information virtually in the palm of their hands is truly tempting to dive in, but there’s that real danger of drowning in information. Yes, technology gives them unprecedented access to information and a plethora of resources, but an overdependence on technology also takes away their ability to think critically and independently.
‘Spoon-fed‘
This overdependence is among the main concerns of parents of kids enrolled in online classes. When learning becomes overly dependent on technology, there is that danger of information being “spoon-fed.” Answers to problems are instantly available with just a simple tap or click, but the way that the problem was solved had been conveniently skipped over. You get kids with all the right answers, but not a single clue as to how those answers were arrived at. Critical thinking, problem solving and the ability to think independently might as well have been thrown out the classroom window.
Not paying attention
Students in online classrooms are also prone to distractions. Social media posts from their friends, an e-mail, an instant message, online games, and the like, will often catch their attention and make them lose their focus on the task at hand. At the same time, these distractions will make them multitask, reducing the quality of learning.
Passive learning
In contrast to traditional, face-to-face classroom settings where instructors encourage active participation as a way to develop independent learning, online classrooms promote passive learning, often without the direct supervision from teachers. This can lead to students not properly motivated to complete their assigned tasks.
A silver lining: Going back to classrooms
To keep these online pitfalls down to a minimum, schools have resorted to blending face-to-face with online classes to foster essential skills and techniques that students can use as they progress in their studies. Still, parents and all stakeholders need to make sure that schools teach young minds the importance of active participation in learning. Debates, group projects, case studies and physical activities can help students improve and develop teamwork and critical thinking, among others.
E-books, learning apps and the Internet will always play a crucial role in the learning process of our students, but it’s not the be-all and end-all of education. The online space is simply one of many spheres of learning where kids can dwell in to find passion, meaning, and purpose in life.
