Paper vs. digital: Which is a better option for students?

The lockdown is over, students are returning, but most schools have retained some elements of remote learning. Schools and teachers are trying to figure out whether they should go back to a completely physical classroom model again, or retain some element of remote learning. Given that this is the biggest debate out there now, let’s look at some of the arguments on both sides.  

Paperless classes: The vantage points  

Here are some common points being put up as pro-technology:  

• Technology has made the entire process faster, more efficient and more interactive than paper. Students are learning faster, staying engaged, and retaining more with well-made virtual lessons, and they are enjoying online individual and group projects. so it is no surprise that it helps students learn faster.  
• Using technology instead of paper is a green move. In the long run, we will incur more cost if we continue with paper. Attempts are on to introduce more virtual self-complete platforms, and ensure that spending on gadgets is a one-time cost. Once this move becomes successful in the very near future, paper-based education will actually be more expensive than tech-dependant education.  
• The devices and software used by students make them future ready. A tech savvy student is already ahead of his or her peers, because this is the mode in which they will be working in any office, business or even start-up.  
• Apps and smartphones are distracting. But let’s face it, we can’t eliminate them form life. And they have opened up a whole new world of skill-based, higher quality education. Better education and deeper connect with the world are now possible for students from remote and rural areas.  

Digitised education: What are the demerits?   

The arguments against tech-aided education are equally strong.  

• Overuse and constant exposure to addictive and expensive tech has raised mental health issues among school students. Obesity and unhealthy eating and sleeping habits are also on the rise. This doesn’t happen with paper.  
• The devices such as learning tablets, smartphones, laptops etc. are still much more expensive than paper for most countries, more so for India.  
• A major issue in many schools is distraction due to technology in class. Kids are using devices to play, chat and surf, instead of studying. The result is a massive learning gap, detected only at year-end. This behaviour is not possible in paper-based education.   
• Internet connectivity is not great everywhere, so while we expect students in far-off areas to be connected, we might actually be widening the gap. Books, though, are available everywhere.  
• Many teachers are not so tech savvy, though they are good teachers. All tech-savvy teachers are again not great at teaching. Teachers used to paper may want to stick to it.  

Given the convincing points on both sides, the best approach would be a balance between paper and paper-less educational methods.