The traditional classroom is normally perceived as a heterogeneous space where a number of students with disparate aptitudes and interests are taught with a standardised pedagogy.
It is a well-regarded fact that every child is different in his ability to grasp, retain and recall. Such abilities also vary from subject to subject.
In a diverse nation like India, in particular, every class has students from different cultures, economic backgrounds, varied lifestyles etc. their exposure to diverse subjects, curiosity levels, ability to absorb and advance also differs accordingly.
This is why traditional methods of teaching and a ‘one-fit-for-all-sizes’ approach is increasingly considered unfit to meet with the educational challenges of today’s competitive world.
Blending classroom teaching with a digital, hands-on approach is emerging as the best way to allow an individualised learning experience for all students.
Normally, when one speaks of technology, the impression people get is that one is talking in terms of phasing out traditional methods of imparting knowledge and doing away with teachers.
However, this isn’t true. Several studies have proved that despite the penetration of technology into the classroom, the role of the teacher isn’t obviated.
In fact, it has become more instrumental in enabling students to make the best use of technology and experience digital content in the best way possible.
As more and more institutions and teachers recognise the benefits of this blended method of imparting education, there is a steady and significant change in terms of how education content is organised, delivered and experienced by students and teachers.
An amalgamation of technology-based solutions for classroom study as well as personal guidance by the teachers is being readily adopted by many schools and universities in India as the way forward.
This method is playing a pivotal role in keeping the benefits of personal tutelage alive and enhancing them with digital platforms.
Hands-on approach
The digital learning eco-systems make the day to day absorption of knowledge more engaging for students by giving them enjoyable tools like rich-multimedia presentations, online modules, videos and gamified learning apparatus.
Most of these tools contain pedagogically appropriate content mapped to school curriculum.
The advantages of this method are most palpable in the case of students as they can learn at their own pace.
They are able to explore and absorb concepts better with a hands-on learning approach which allows them to discover and delve into concepts at the extent at which they like, leading to higher retention.
For instance, a student who finds it difficult to be interested in and retain facts related to history can be helped greatly by digital modules.
With the guidance of the teacher she will know what the major concepts and time periods are that need to be studied.
The teacher will also make necessary contributions for laying a foundation of the understanding of that historical period.
Games, quizzes, videos and movies on the era can then be gainfully employed to make the student more interested in a subject she normally finds dry and hard to imbibe.
Teachers can use digital media tools to then invite exploratory and interactive classroom discussions on the subject.
In this manner, subjects from History to the Sciences can be brought to life.
Students can be shown how to really enjoy them for the delight they bring to life and the world instead of merely viewing them as a burden that needs to be learnt by rote, regurgitated and then forgotten.
Appropriate content
Teaching can also be made fun and easy with digital tools which is rich multimedia based, pedagogically appropriate content mapped to the school curriculum.
It has in fact found a ready market across the length and breadth of the country with its carefully curated digital and multimedia modules.
These modules also enable the teachers to easily create further personalised exercises for students depending on their individual growth and progress in a particular topic and subject.
Assessment becomes student-friendly and hassle free with the help of such technology.
An intermingling of technology and specialised teaching experience can result in deep and meaningful changes in the way students in our country are taught and how they learn.
For decades, the education system has been the target of several criticisms.
The blend of digital tools and human sensibility can help alleviate many of the troubles associated with the erstwhile approach to pedagogy.
The sensitivity and patience that a teacher brings to the classroom undisputedly remains the most essential aspect of education.
With robust assistance from multimedia activities, online and digital platforms, she can substitute her expertise and enhance her role in society in ways which haven’t hitherto been explored.
