Debate#3: Schools should no longer teach skills that can be easily carried out by technology

Technology has changed the way we do everyday tasks. No doubt it has made our life easier and more organized. Emerging technologies have enabled humans to become more creative, productive, and innovative. We take technology for granted these days. From desktop to tabs our life has completely changed. We can work with anyone on the planet with these devices.

If I talk about schools, are we using enough technology to teach students? We have IT lessons in schools which is mandatory, but do all schools or classrooms implement technology in their curriculum? If I talk about maths or cursive writing, I completely disagree that schools should not use technology in teaching these subjects. For example, we have a wonderful example of Desmos where kids can learn maths and solve problems. It is an effective way to learn mathematics. It is a free and easy tool that provides a visual way to kids to understand the expressions. Desmos provides smart instructional support to students. Such types of tools are easy to use and help in self-marking, and provide interactions to kids. I think using technology in a subject like maths is beneficial as it makes a subject interesting. According to a study, a very less number of students are interested in reading maths, and memorizing some formulas, tables, and methods makes it more boring.

Image: Code.org

Technology makes education interesting and children will be able to learn in an interactive environment. How we can forget gamification? Learning multiplication and addition with the help of games is fun and it generates interest in students. Using tools for addition, subtraction, and division is helpful in the early years of learning. An interesting example of the Apple pencil that was discussed in the class was interesting as we can take advantage of technology in cursive writing. It promotes creative thinking rather than creative writing.

Image source: https://educationtechnologysolutions.com/2019/03/science-technology-engineering-arts-mathematics/

On the other hand, I think practicing gives more efficiency to kids. If a student is trying writing or cursive writing, it will help him to improve his spelling and will build motor skills. Also, some kids do not have internet connections which links with the digital divide. As explained in the video in the class, 6% of Canadians do not have an internet access. Memorization should be promoted as if someone learns anything by heart, he/she will never forget it in his life. It becomes easier to calculate their day-to-day expenses, if a person can count numbers on their fingers. Also, my classmate Durston made a relevant point that “practicing writing on paper rather than using any technology is helpful for the kids with Dyslexia as it will build their thinking and motor skills”. Without having a basic foundation we can not pass learning directly. Just by using iPad and computers students will not learn life skills and motor skills.

The example of “Self Driving Cars” discussed in the class, relates to the statement that without a foundation, technology can not work properly. Moreover, there is no scaffolding and critical thinking if a child is taught addition/multiplication by the use of technology. This promotes private tutoring and some families can not afford it. No matter how much we have become technology-oriented, there is a need to build a basic foundation.

At last I liked the point made by Leona:

Allow students to become more critical thinkers, so that everything (including technology )is beneficial. Learning so many skills are not always valuable in real life.”

4 Comments
  1. You raised some great points. However, the prompt itself is not saying that technology should not be used in the classroom. The prompt is asking if basic skills should or should not still be taught in schools. Our group supports technology wholeheartedly, however, we still think that basic skills such as writing, math facts, and spelling still have a place within the classroom and learning.

    With the example of the self-driving car, we believe that the driver should require the basic skills of driving to override the auto-pilot. Depending on technology is not a smart idea, and if the user does not know how to operate a car, then we’re in trouble.

  2. Hi Amanpreet,

    I like the “Self-driving car” example that makes me think what’s the points of the self-driving car? Does it design for people who are unable to drive, e.g. people with disability, and give them a chance to drive the car. Thus, they probably don’t have the basic skills of driving a car. Well, my point is based on when the technology of the self-driving car is developed enough that people don’t need to know how to drive a car. However, the current technology of the auto car has not developed enough. Back to education, a similar idea is that if one-day technology has developed enough that don’t require students to have these basic skills, they just need to know how to operate the technology. Students don’t have to learn basic skills in the future, but for now, the technology has not developed enough, so students still need to learn these skills.

    Echo

  3. Hi Amanpreet,

    Insightful post. There is a need to build a basic foundation resonated with me. No matter our reliance on technology, I believe the aspect of building the basic skills ( without technology) should be our priority as it has its long proven benefits as well .

  4. Hello Amanpreet,

    Yes, I agree that technology affects engagement. You summarized the balancing act we need with tech in regards to practicing and scaffolding of learning. It’s hard to make the switch in education when we are contributing to the digital divide. I think this is a systemic issue, and we still need to provide opportunities for our learners to engage with technology so that gap doesn’t widen. Thank you for your reflection!

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