Teach students to use gadgets wisely

THE Education Ministry announced recently that students in 10,000 schools would be allowed to bring certain mobile devices or electronic gadgets to class for learning purposes, starting early next year.

This may seem like a natural progression in this digital era, but there are risks, especially as it involves children who may not be mature enough to use these devices wisely.

Adults have often been told to stay away from social media or surfing the Internet during working hours, unless it is work-related.

Some companies, especially in the sales line, request that employees’ phones are put away during working hours and picked up only when they leave work. Similarly, schoolchildren will be tempted to use these gadgets for non-academic matters while in school.

From as young as their toddler years, children have viewed such gadgets as entertainment tools. It will be difficult to ensure they don’t do other things besides learning, such as recording videos or taking photographs of everything and everyone at school and sharing them.

Worse, mischief will be on the rise with children taking photos of friends who may be caught dozing off during class, or other embarrassing moments, and then making the photos viral on social media. This is a problem just waiting to happen, and it could start fights in schools.

Teachers have their hands full looking after the wellbeing of the children during school hours besides teaching.

Getting them to sit up and pay attention is a difficult, but crucial task to ensure teaching and learning happen smoothly. With gadgets in their hands, they may not be able to concentrate on their studies, unless there are strict rules and conditions.

Security is another issue when gadgets are allowed in schools. We have to remember that not all children are chauffeured to school by their parents. Some take the school bus, while others take public transport.

Carrying gadgets while walking or taking public transport to