The Paradox of Digital Education: The Impact of Technology on Learning and Communication

The Paradox of Digital Education

By Lim Gwang-myeong, Editorial Writer | kmyim@busan.com

Inserted: 2023-09-24 18:14:53

The sight of children typing on their computer keyboards using the “eagle batting” method is becoming increasingly common. This technique involves hitting the keys with the index finger of both hands. Surprisingly, many children feel embarrassed when asked to submit assignments via email, as they lack the necessary skills to write or send documents electronically. Despite the ubiquitous use of digital technology in today’s smart world, this is a prevalent issue observed by teachers. The prevalence of mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets has made them the preferred tools for digital learning, over traditional personal computers. Unlike PCs that require manual keyboard tapping, mobile devices enable users to perform tasks effortlessly with just a few finger movements. From a time when holding a pencil was unnecessary, we have entered an era where even keyboard typing seems obsolete. Thus, there is no reason to criticize children’s adoption of the eagle batting method.

Since the distribution of computers to schools in the early 1990s, the landscape of digital education has undergone significant transformations. Now, three decades later, we have moved beyond mobile and voice recognition technologies to embrace artificial intelligence (AI), exemplified by platforms like GPT Chat. In terms of the speed of change, Korea has emerged as a global frontrunner. Notably, the Ministry of Education has announced plans to introduce digital textbooks in elementary, middle, and high schools starting from 2025, making it the first country to implement this across its entire student population. The benefits of digital textbooks, as highlighted by the Ministry, include personalized learning for each student and the opportunity to integrate AI as an assistant teacher.

However, contrasting approaches have emerged recently, as Sweden announced a complete cessation of digital device use in kindergartens and other schools. Instead, Sweden aims to enhance education through reading paper books and direct writing in classrooms. The Swedish government has allocated a separate budget of 70 to 80 billion earned annually to purchase physical school books. Sweden is not alone in this endeavor, as countries like France, Italy, the Netherlands, and Finland have also implemented measures to restrict digital device usage during classes.

It is crucial to consider whether our choices are correct and whether the actions of these other nations are desirable. Amidst this debate, concerns have been raised by American cognitive scientist Marion Wolf. Wolf argues that the digitization of modern society has led to changes in our brains. The constant influx of ever-changing information requires us to quickly process key points and utilize them, leaving little room for deep, prolonged thinking. This phenomenon is believed to be responsible for the difficulties today’s children face in reading books comprehensively and effectively communicating with others. This highlights the paradox of digital education.

[밀물썰물] The paradox of digital education

Inserted: 2023-09-24 18:14:53

Editorial Writer Lim Gwang-myeong kmyim@busan.com

It’s a sight to see children typing on their computer keyboards these days. It is barely hit with the index finger of both hands. This is the so-called eagle batting method. There are many children who feel embarrassed when asked to submit their assignments by email. I do not know how to write documents or send documents by email. You might say, “What are you talking about in the smart world today?”, but it’s said to be something that teachers often see in their classrooms. This is because mobile devices such as smartphones and tablet computers have become mainstream in the digital environment rather than personal computers. Unlike PCs where you have to manually tap the keyboard, everything can be done on mobile devices with just a few movements of your fingers. There was no need to hold a pencil before, but now that we have become a world where even the task of typing on a keyboard has disappeared, there is nothing to criticize about children’s eagle typing.

Computers were distributed to schools in the early 1990s. Now, 30 years later, the digital education environment is a world away from that. Now, it has gone beyond mobile and voice recognition to artificial intelligence (AI) like GPT Chat. In terms of speed of change, Korea is by far the best. An example of this is that the Ministry of Education has decided to introduce digital textbooks in elementary, middle and high schools starting in 2025. Korea is the first country to take the lead and push for the introduction of digital textbooks to all students. According to the Ministry of Education, there are many advantages to digital textbooks. It is said that in addition to customized learning for each student, it is also possible to entrust AI to act as an assistant teacher.

However, Sweden recently took steps that are 180 degrees different from ours. They announced a plan to stop using digital devices entirely in kindergartens and other schools and to strengthen education on reading paper books and writing directly in schools. The Swedish government has decided to allocate a separate budget of 70 to 80 billion earned every year to buy school books. It’s not just Sweden. France, Italy, the Netherlands, and Finland have also started measures to limit the use of digital devices during classes.

Are our choices right and are their actions desirable? It’s confusing, but I’m concerned about the claims made by the American cognitive scientist Marion Wolf. It is argued that the brains of modern people have changed as they enter the digital generation. As we try to adapt to an environment where ever-changing information pours in indiscriminately, our brains are always under tension, and as we must quickly grasp the key points of that information and use it, we cannot think deeply and for one. a long time. There is a reason why children these days cannot read books properly and have difficulty communicating with others. This is a paradox of digital education. Editorial Writer Lim Gwang-myeong kmyim@

Editorial Writer Lim Gwang-myeong kmyim@busan.com

#밀물썰물 #paradox #digital #education #Busan #Ilbo