IS TECHNOLOGY
CHANGING STUDENTS’
BRAINS?
NEW!
Panel of Principals
is a knowledge circle
that taps into the
collective wisdom
of educators and
academiciansYes, it wouldn’t be far-fetched to say
that technology and the dawn of
the information age brought with it
the single largest factor in the way
human thinking and learning has
evolved. The concept of merely
remembering facts has given way
to why this information matters and
how it can be used. While some
argue that the 21st-century learner
is considerably lazier than his/ her
counterpart of two decades ago due to easy
access to information, I believe that students today are
more efficient in their use of this information to innovate
and create. Easier access to information gives students
the opportunity to explore things beyond the standard
curriculum in schools and universities. Today, we see
more young minds become creators and entrepreneurs
than ever before. Simultaneously, technology has enabled
different learners to consume and process information
in the way most comfortable to them, leading to each
student moving ahead into the future on a path not
necessarily dictated by standard
practices and procedures. Technology
enables today’s learners to think and
inquire, to take risks and find solutions
to problems rather than be mere
participants in a static system that
wants to cater to the ‘average’.”Ms Manika Sharma
Director, The Sri Ram Schools, New DelhiPANEL OF PRINCIPALSOPINIONSIn our inaugural panel discussion,
the country’s leading education experts weigh
in on the impact of technology on young minds
“Technology
has made our
brain lazy”
“I recall a time when we knew the telephone
numbers of our family members and close friends
by heart; they remained registered in our mind.
However, technology has made our brain lazy
and we don’t bother to remember them any more.
“The fast-moving pictures and information available
at the click of a button have decreased tolerance levels.
The brain is malleable, it adapts to change, and, in this time
of fast-paced technology, it moves faster, resulting in low
concentration levels. We are coming across more cases of
children with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention
Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) than ever before.
“Another very important aspect of the brain getting addicted
to technology is instant gratification. Additionally, the human
mind may not be able to compete with the machine,
causing unhappiness and discontentment.”Ms Seema Sapru
Principal, The Heritage School, Kolkata“We’re
seeing more
young minds
become creators
and entrepreneurs
than ever
before”50 56 February 2017February 2017