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Why students need emotional connect while studying

No doubt, the UAE is moving towards an increased adoption of technology in education sector. But there are a few who still prefer traditional methods, though mode of teaching is shifting from blackboards to interactive white boards and that of learning from notebooks to tablets. In the last decade, several schools and universities in the Gulf Corporation Council (GCC) nations have undergone transformation phase for adopting, installing and upgrading the information technology infrastructure.
Launched in 2012, the Mohammed Bin Rashid Smart Learning Programme in the UAE, is of the most successful smart education programmes in the GCC region. It aims at introducing technology-enabled techniques in the classrooms to facilitate smart learning at all the government schools in the country by 2019.
But, the question is do we really need to depend completely on technology based education system or we should used it for references? Khaleej Times spoke to the students and teachers at various learning institutes in the city.
Vimal Pillai, Grade 12 student from The Millennium School, Dubai, is a 'Distinguished Family' award winner this year. He thinks online learning is more convenient and one gets the chance to explore more about the subject. It gives deep knowledge about the subject.
Contrary to this Subramaniam Krishnamoorthy, founder and managing director, Meccademia Education Institute, believes it is very important for the students to get the emotional connect while studying. "We have been preparing students for medical and engineering entrance exams and other tests for higher education since 2007. I think 'chalk and talk' is here to stay no matter how fast we grow technology wise," Krishnamoorthy told Khaleej Times.
Adish Srinivasan, Grade 12 student from Indian High School, strongly supports the tutor-based education system as one can relate with it easily and what a mentor can guide a student online study material cannot.
Old is gold
Black-board style of teaching is old but with the new concepts and teaching methods, it is appealing to the students as well as parents. "We try to make our teaching pattern as interesting as possible with the help of games, puzzles, audio-visual material and light hearted conversations in the classroom. It makes it easier for students to grasp and doesn't sound boring to them as well," said Salomi, a Biology teacher at Meccademia.
Narendra Kesav, Director & CEO of Infonet Institute, a leading management and soft skills training centre in Dubai added to that.
"I wish to interact face to face with the teacher and classmates which will take me through beyond curriculum, meaningfully, which is joyous and effective. I would like to talk to a person face to face but not with a faceless trainer ... It is better that one continues to upgrade through either form but never stop."
ankita@khaleejtimes.com