25 August 2014
Just a few days ago, I was teaching a group of students at the tuition center I work at. I noticed that one of the primary 6 student was more distracted than usual. After I had a short talk with him, I learnt that he had a heated argument with his mother about the hours he spend on the computer. He told me that his teachers in school often post homework and activities online to replace paper worksheets so as to integrate technology into the classroom. He also asked if I could help him by explaining it to his mother.
After tuition, I sat down with his mother to hear about the argument from her side of the story. She explained to me that she is worried about her son as he isn't studying for his PSLE. I explained to her that her son is using an online website, asknlearn, to study for his exam. Using my computer, I explained to her how the website works and showed her some of the online test that her son had taken on the website.
She was delighted to see that her son got good results for many of the test. After much explanation, she finally understood what e-learning was about. Before she left, she asked me an interesting question: So how do I know if my son is doing homework, playing games, or doing wrong things on the internet?
This reminded me of a funny incident I saw on the train a few months ago. A mother was scolding her son, threatening to confiscate his phone and computer if he continues to misbehave. Ironically, the boy laughed and willing gave his phone to his mother. Shocked, the mother asked the boy if he was trying to be defiant. The boy shrugged his shoulders and replied "well, confiscate lor, then I tell my teacher I cannot do my homework because my mother decides to take my phone and computer".
Technology and education has become so interlinked that it has become almost indispensable. Children these days are using technology so much that it is no longer a privilege but a requirement. Even though this is a huge advancement in the 21st century, it has also become a controversial issue within parents and teachers. It is expected for computers to replace textbooks and worksheets in the future, but is it beneficial or detrimental to the development of children?
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