Gadgets are handy but usage must be controlled

ELECTRONIC gadgets like smartphones and laptop computers can certainly be useful teaching and learning aids in school if they are properly handled and controlled, “Ministry to study if gadgets can be seen as learning aid” ( The Star, April 20).

However, teachers should make sure that electronic gadgets brought by students are offline all the time unless they are connected to the school’s Wi-Fi. The school authorities can then monitor how students use their gadgets to look for information for their lessons or extra-curricular activities. Action should be taken against students who are caught accessing unapproved sites during school time.

During composition-writing periods, for example, smartphones and laptops must be offline otherwise students might be tempted to download an essay and copy it wholesale. If that happens, little or no learning would occur. Strict discipline must be imposed when electronic gadgets are used in school. Students must understand when they can use their learning aids.

In the old days, television was used as a learning and teaching aid. Besides the television, a smartphone or a laptop can aid students in attaining knowledge and skills these days.

But we must not forget that the best learning aid is still the teacher. In my regular sermons, I don’t use the computer or other visual aids. I just speak. The audience must listen to me attentively to get information. I find that other speakers like to use slides and videos to supplement their sharing. But if not properly managed, the audience would be looking at the screen instead of listening to them.

The main thing to note is that a teaching and learning aid is still an aid; it’s the speaker or teacher who must draw the attention of the audience or students.