BMS Dispatch

Utkarsh Giri

In recent years, the role of technology in education has grown exponentially, providing new opportunities for learning beyond the traditional classroom walls. As technology continues to advance, its integration in education has become increasingly prevalent, transforming traditional classroom settings and reshaping the way students learn and engage with academic materials.

For 19-year-old Deepal Shrestha, an undergraduate student at Cosmos College, technology has become an essential tool in his daily life, both inside and outside of the classroom.

He says “I have been learning programming and doing my presentations for my college assignments and it was only possible because technology that has helped me a lot.” 

Shrestha recognizes the transformative impact of technology on the way education is delivered. With a world of information at his fingertips, he feels that the traditional limits of learning have been broken down, and students now have access to a wealth of knowledge and resources that were once out of reach. 

He reminisced about the days when technology wasn’t as advanced as it is today. She recalled how she used to copy notes in her registers while teachers were writing on the blackboard. However, things have changed now, and students are no longer bound to such conventional methods. They have the advantage of using soft-copies of notes or even taking screenshots of the required notes for future use. The advancements in technology have undoubtedly made learning and studying easier and more efficient.

Shrestha also acknowledges that differently abled students could study easily by just staying at their homes with the growing use of online and virtual classes. He says “White boards are being replaced by presentations and physical textbooks are being replaced by soft-copies.” It shows how technology have made education accessible to all the students.

One of the most exciting developments in educational technology is the rise of artificial intelligence, which has provided students with a new way of accessing information. Platforms like ChatGPT have made it easier for students to get quick, accurate answers to their questions.

Deepal uses ChatGPT for his school work occasionally but he expressed his worries about students being too reliant on the AI platform. “Its a good AI Based chatbot if used wisely but if not it will surely hamper the students’ creative skills.” says Shrestha when asked about his views on ChatGPT.

For Deepal, the benefits of technology in education are clear. He sees technology as a tool for breaking down barriers, making learning more accessible to all students, regardless of their background or circumstances. As technology continues to evolve, it is likely that we will see more innovative ways of using it to support education and learning, opening up new opportunities and possibilities for students all around the world.

Bibek Upreti, aged 24, a post-graduate student at Acharya Institute in Bangalore, acknowledges that technology has made certain aspects of education more efficient, such as the use of secure databases for storing student data and digital payment systems for school fees. However, he argues that many students are misusing technology, relying too heavily on platforms like YouTube and Google to do their homework rather than using their own critical thinking skills.

“I am afraid of the power that the technology holds”, says Upreti, ” ChatGPT is great but not for students and I am completely against use of it by students.”  He explains students must work on their assignments themselves and expand their creative skills. Upreti as claims that ChatGPT will hamper students’ thinking capacity and creative skills.

Furthermore, Bibek is concerned about the potential negative impact of platforms like ChatGPT, which he believes could hamper students’ creativity and thinking capacity. 

“Unique Research based assignments should be given by teachers to students.”  said Upreti when asked about the ways to use technology in education in a proper way.

Despite his concerns, Bibek is not entirely opposed to the use of technology in education. He envisions a future where teachers will be “technological freaks,” using new tools and techniques to engage and educate their students. Virtual classrooms, he predicts, will become more common, allowing students to feel like they are studying in a real classroom, even from the comfort of their own homes.

The debate around technology in education is complex, and there are certainly pros and cons to its use. As they continue to develop new technologies and tools, it will be important to consider both the benefits and the potential downsides, and to use them in ways that enhance, rather than replace, students’ critical thinking and creative skills. 

This highlights the importance of engaging students in the learning process. Technology can certainly be a powerful tool to aid in teaching, but it must be used in a way that inspires and motivates students. A balance between traditional teaching methods and modern technology can create a learning environment that is both effective and engaging. It’s up to teachers to find the right balance and make learning a fun and exciting experience for their students.

“Learning today is way easier for students than it was for us back in the days.” says Shishir Adhikari, aged 27,  a teacher at Saraswati Secondary School, Dolpa. He claims while technology is evolving itself and the education too, it is also important to know the significance of traditional teaching methods. He believe traditional ways of teaching and technology mixed together could help students learn better. 

Adhikari explained how traditional teaching methods often limit students to the information found in textbooks, but emphasized the potential benefits of incorporating technology into classroom instruction. By utilizing technology tools and resources, Adhikari believes that students could gain access to a wider range of information and deepen their understanding of certain topics beyond what is covered in the textbook. By doing so, students could be better equipped to apply their learning in practical settings and develop critical thinking skills that are essential for success in the modern world. He acknowledges that he may be an “old school” teacher, but he recognizes the power of technology and its role in modern education.

Adhikari emphasizes that the effectiveness of teaching methods, whether traditional or technological, ultimately depends on the interest and curiosity of the students. “When I was teaching in a school with good facilities and internet, students were taught using technology too but the things taught used to go over their heads”, Adhikari reminisces about his teaching in a previous school. He, as a teacher, takes the blame on himself for not making the topic  interesting enough.

He suggests using animations, video, audios or interactive games in classrooms to get students excited for the studies. “As a teacher in 21st century, I must know more about technology and apply these ideas on my teaching methods too and I am certainly working on it. ” said Adhikari smiling.