Not all expensive apps promoted or used by schools are really that effective, Wikipedia pops as the most used [app]. One cannot really claim that apps lead to exceptional learning outcomes in students! We need conclusive data analysis to understand how effective a particular app is before rushing to pitch for one! But then this not just about apps, rather this is about all those online resources that are pitched at learners to make life easier!
Unfortunately, not many apps and learning resources last as long as the good old books have lasted! The constant demands for up-gradation, improvement and adaptation have resulted in the short life and early extinction of most of the apps and online resources. I remember being gifted a Microsoft Encarta Disc on completing my beginners' course in computer applications under the Intel Teach to The Future programme for teachers in the first quarter of 2000. At that time it was an amazing learning resource and a quick reference tool too. Today however you do not have the MS Encarta in a Disc format. According to Wikipedia: "In March 2009, Microsoft announced it was discontinuing both the Encarta disc and online versions. The MSN Encarta site was closed on October 31, 2009, in all countries except Japan, where it was closed on December 31, 2009.[3][4] Microsoft continued to operate the Encarta online dictionary until 2011.[5]"-https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Encarta
One reason for the unfortunate demise of MS Encarta was that the web provided more resources and that it had become less viable to sell the material in the form of a disc. The age of the Compact Disk had more or less come to an end. The success and viability of learning resources depend not only on the financial implications but also on the technology used. We have literally moved away from Desktop computers to laptops and from laptops, we have moved to smartphones. Unfortunately, even some of the so-called progressive schools are not in favour of allowing students to bring in their smartphones for fear that they might misuse the same. What makes matters worse is that the learning platforms launched by the schools don't work very well on smartphones!
But then it is this dependence on technology that apps and electronic learning resources (henceforth learning resources) have and the resulting dependence that learners have on electronic devices that has become a matter of concern for well-meaning educationists and parents today. The cover story appearing in the December 2018 edition of the "Parents World" journal titled, "Saving Children from Digital Addiction" by Christobelle Joseph describes how "tech addiction" and excessive screen time is adversely impacting "attention spans and creativity" limiting "social interaction" and perhaps even impacting the cognitive development of children! Is it possible, therefore that excessive use of learning apps and electronic learning resources might, in fact, be encouraging if not accelerating the use of technology in our youth perhaps even adversely!
So, if the learning app or learning resource is going to lead to an exacerbation of digital dependency or "Digital Addiction" then I would certainly not recommend it! Unfortunately, students and teachers might look at the learning app or learning resource as a stand-alone teaching-learning module and as a result might leave out relevant portions of the syllabus! What we need to understand is that learning app and learning resources are merely teaching-learning aids. They can't be the entire package, nor can they replace the actual process that takes place in the class! Even flipped classrooms require the teacher's input. Our visual faculty has developed to a great deal as a result of our being dependent on technological devices as a result of which we have lost our abilities to be good listeners. This is itself is one reason why we need to be careful before advocating the use of learning apps or learning resources in class!
We have noticed how students' written expression and neatness of writing have deteriorated down the years. This is attributable to their dependence on word-processing as opposed to writing with a pen on paper. Added to this the fact that it is not only their neatness in writing that has taken a beating, it is also their ability to express themselves that has been affected by their dependence on technology and learning apps. Dependence on learning apps, learning resources and technology has also made students lazy! It is simply not done for students to grumble about having to write down the questions for homework suggesting that it should be sent on the LMS App! The fact of the matter is that in India and many countries of the world, Summative Assessments and Board exams are written. There is a human being who goes through written answer scripts. Many a time answer scripts that are written in an illegible hand, answer scripts that are untidy might, for that effect lose out on valuable marks just because the examiner could not make head or tail out of what has been written. Excessive dependence on learning apps and online learning resources has made our students lazy, dull, untidy, casual and this has, in turn, robbed them of their creativity. That educational apps and learning resources have made student poor problem solvers has yet to be researched, but there one thing that I can claim about educational apps and learning resources and the technology, they have not helped greatly in helping people develop social skills. They have definitely led to poor social relationships, they have led to broken marriages and they have definitely resulted in greater frustration, lack of empathy compassion and patience. People who depend on technology apps and learning resources lack the bread-making attitude towards life. They want instant solutions and instant answers to problems they can't solve!
In spite of all the above arguments, however, it would be somewhat unfair to acknowledge the presence of educational apps and learning resources that have helped many a student who was in dire straits before an exam. Used judiciously and careful planning, educational apps and learning resources can complement formal teaching in class. To suggest however that educational apps and learning resources can even replace a textbook, a reference book, a novel, a play or even a treasury of poems is simply wishful thinking. Artificial Intelligence, Deep Learning, Machine Learning and Data Analysis have a long way to go before they can actually hope to take up the mantle of a teacher or even replace the textbook completely. Educational apps and learning resources offer shortcuts and simplify processes that can help one reach an understanding of difficult concepts. They can not, however, replace the entire process of formal teaching in the classroom. Educationists and curriculum framers and educational policymakers should not look at educational apps and electronic learning resources as magical instant coffee solutions for the problems faced in the field of education. Nor are they magic wands that allow for telescoping of the number of hours required by a human student to understand a particular concept.
But then it is this dependence on technology that apps and electronic learning resources (henceforth learning resources) have and the resulting dependence that learners have on electronic devices that has become a matter of concern for well-meaning educationists and parents today. The cover story appearing in the December 2018 edition of the "Parents World" journal titled, "Saving Children from Digital Addiction" by Christobelle Joseph describes how "tech addiction" and excessive screen time is adversely impacting "attention spans and creativity" limiting "social interaction" and perhaps even impacting the cognitive development of children! Is it possible, therefore that excessive use of learning apps and electronic learning resources might, in fact, be encouraging if not accelerating the use of technology in our youth perhaps even adversely!
So, if the learning app or learning resource is going to lead to an exacerbation of digital dependency or "Digital Addiction" then I would certainly not recommend it! Unfortunately, students and teachers might look at the learning app or learning resource as a stand-alone teaching-learning module and as a result might leave out relevant portions of the syllabus! What we need to understand is that learning app and learning resources are merely teaching-learning aids. They can't be the entire package, nor can they replace the actual process that takes place in the class! Even flipped classrooms require the teacher's input. Our visual faculty has developed to a great deal as a result of our being dependent on technological devices as a result of which we have lost our abilities to be good listeners. This is itself is one reason why we need to be careful before advocating the use of learning apps or learning resources in class!
We have noticed how students' written expression and neatness of writing have deteriorated down the years. This is attributable to their dependence on word-processing as opposed to writing with a pen on paper. Added to this the fact that it is not only their neatness in writing that has taken a beating, it is also their ability to express themselves that has been affected by their dependence on technology and learning apps. Dependence on learning apps, learning resources and technology has also made students lazy! It is simply not done for students to grumble about having to write down the questions for homework suggesting that it should be sent on the LMS App! The fact of the matter is that in India and many countries of the world, Summative Assessments and Board exams are written. There is a human being who goes through written answer scripts. Many a time answer scripts that are written in an illegible hand, answer scripts that are untidy might, for that effect lose out on valuable marks just because the examiner could not make head or tail out of what has been written. Excessive dependence on learning apps and online learning resources has made our students lazy, dull, untidy, casual and this has, in turn, robbed them of their creativity. That educational apps and learning resources have made student poor problem solvers has yet to be researched, but there one thing that I can claim about educational apps and learning resources and the technology, they have not helped greatly in helping people develop social skills. They have definitely led to poor social relationships, they have led to broken marriages and they have definitely resulted in greater frustration, lack of empathy compassion and patience. People who depend on technology apps and learning resources lack the bread-making attitude towards life. They want instant solutions and instant answers to problems they can't solve!
In spite of all the above arguments, however, it would be somewhat unfair to acknowledge the presence of educational apps and learning resources that have helped many a student who was in dire straits before an exam. Used judiciously and careful planning, educational apps and learning resources can complement formal teaching in class. To suggest however that educational apps and learning resources can even replace a textbook, a reference book, a novel, a play or even a treasury of poems is simply wishful thinking. Artificial Intelligence, Deep Learning, Machine Learning and Data Analysis have a long way to go before they can actually hope to take up the mantle of a teacher or even replace the textbook completely. Educational apps and learning resources offer shortcuts and simplify processes that can help one reach an understanding of difficult concepts. They can not, however, replace the entire process of formal teaching in the classroom. Educationists and curriculum framers and educational policymakers should not look at educational apps and electronic learning resources as magical instant coffee solutions for the problems faced in the field of education. Nor are they magic wands that allow for telescoping of the number of hours required by a human student to understand a particular concept.
very well explained thanks for sharing your valuable blog these are very useful to me.
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Thank you so much, Ainsley!
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