Confusingly enough, these robots dominating our education system breathe on the luxury of many faces; from digital textbooks and online tutoring academies to digitalized teaching methods ranging from Powerpoint, Google Classrooms, newsletters, and the culture of pcs replacing paper bags, these robots are practically everywhere. If you feel we’re exaggerating, then the more extensive list constitutes electronic whiteboards, virtual field trips, Zoom sessions with guest speakers, and even 3D printers;  i mean, think about it, who needs a teacher when you’ve got pre-recorded classroom lectures? And then, haven't you heard the Class of 2020’s recent dilemma: they’re graduating with an honors degree in Zoom Online Classes- what better way to show tech-dependence within the world of education (mind us, edu.org sounds more apt). 

Now that we’ve plated the facts, its time to digest the extent to which this tech dependence triumphs:: Edtech’s research concluded that while a sweeping 86 % of educators revealed they mostly used laptops in classrooms, their use of other tools was also on the rise. Approximately 58% of teachers used Edu apps, 41% used social media and 21% reported using 3D printers, 47% of teachers also claimed that they were welcoming social media usage to collaborate with fellow teachers. To the dismay of our tech appetites, this research is isolated to the first world and lacks the representability of the third world nations where education is boiling within a purported crisis.  

Nevertheless, hallelujah to the first world whose technocracy twirls us into weighing the pros and cons of our Robo run world. 

  • Improved resources: 

Logging onto portals like NASA or the Museum of Modern Art to build rather interactive learning modules has never been easier - let’s just assume it's a piece of cake (specifically cheesecake cause who can deny that?) Teachers and tutors alike can also find support from educators located across the world, breaking through barriers of geographical immobility to establish mobile education systems. And hey! Considering we also can’t deny that information is power, accessibility to information has become as easy as contacting people via telephone; resources can now be exchanged and extended into underfunded districts or areas suffering from poor educational infrastructure and ghost schools, all across the underdeveloped African and South Asian worlds. Believe us, we don't dare to be delusional- such projects have been implemented on such soils, for example, the 1 laptop per Child Project in Kenya. 

However, our Techworld stands as utopic as Barbie’s world; with internet and tech accessibility on lands like Africa at a whooping 4 in 10 persons in contrast to 13 in 10 persons in Europe, as per the World Bank, the exchange of information appears an absolute improbability. Moreover, the majority of high-quality resources are paid and can not otherwise be accessed. There’s also an acute under-awareness of the right resources; the flux of academic resources available online makes it overwhelmingly difficult to distinguish factual versus fictitious. 

 

  • Preparation of the future workforce:

If fundamentally finicky functionalists have fostered one doctrine, its that education, in this case, tech-action prepares us for the workforce. After all, it goes without saying that generation x needs this tech to survive in the job market since 85% of jobs dominating 2030 do not even exist today. Such preparations are explored through the idea of online courses and vocational training. 

  • Increased educational productivity:

A 2013 ISTE survey came up with a plethora of facts pertaining to modern education methods and students’ super prolific tech-dependence. Approximately 50% of students belonging to the 10-18 age bracket get help from online resources for homework, at least once in a week. And finally, students who use technology for education dedicate an average of 40 minutes more time to their studies than those reading from books. Over 75% of students from age bracket  5-7 use technology to indulge in educational games.

  •  Tech enhances self-paced learning

Indeed, we feel your constant pressure in keeping up with the classwork and lectures- its probably harder than Keeping Up with the Kardashians, but that’s where pre-recorded lectures and hybrid classrooms come to your rescue. 

But just as Batman saw the dark knight rise, there’s also a dark side to this tech dependence dreadful enough to underline. 

  • Tech addiction: 

It certainly isn’t delusional to suggest that through education’s dependence on technology,  we’re encouraging individual dependence on technology too! Common Sense surveyed tech addiction in their research titled,  Technology Addiction: Concern, Controversy, and Finding Balance - where they explored problematic media use-  and Dealing with Devices: The Parent-Teen Dynamic  - where they came upon inquiring both parents and teens their perceptions on media usage. 

Results found that 50% of teens and over 25% of parents believed they were addicted to their mobile devices. At least a few times a week, over 75% of parents and 41% of teens found the other got distracted by a device and didn’t pay attention during communication. 72% of teens and 48% of parents felt the need to immediately respond to messages, social-networking notifications, etc. 

  • Communication is hampered:

It’s okay if you don’t know how to cycle just yet because we’ll teach you with this vicious cycle: form social gatherings to the social following, weaker friendship bonds, poorer development skills, an Increase in isolation and teenage depression have become naturally interdependent.  

  1. Indirect effects on physical health: 

Too much tech time means too little time for physical activity. Subsequently, leading to stress, sleep or even eating disorders.  

But hey, where there’s tech malice, there’s a medicine. As parents, tutors or educators, try teaching tech responsibility, focusing on concepts such as digital privacy, transparency, and PG content. Consider pre-informed tech monitoring to encourage trust-building strongholds with students.  Try inculcating tech or digital balance by encouraging nontech activities or alternatives, of course without the added tech- preservatives, please!  Also, try creating no tech zones before it goes too extreme; but practice what you preach, make sure to put yourself within these tech-free zones too.