As EC&I 830 comes to an end, I can hardly believe how much I have grown in just a few weeks! As I joined to study here, I was a teacher from India stepping into a new role as a student in Canada. Technology in education felt familiar, but I soon realized that this course was going to challenge everything I thought I knew.
This course was not just about tools or apps, it was about thinking critically about technology, equity, and purpose.
The six debates became the heart of my learning. Each debate from “Technology enhances learning” to “Phones in the classroom” to whether we still need to teach skills like cursive writing pushed me to think deeply. I learned that technology is not just a “yes” or “no”; it’s all about how and why we use it.
Blogging was new for me. Writing posts on each topic and reading comments from my classmates helped me refine my own voice. I also enjoyed commenting on their posts, joining conversations I never thought I would have online.
Our Discord community was like a little classroom in my pocket. Even though I was not super active, I learned so much by reading others’ questions, answers, and shared resources. It felt like learning didn’t stop when class ended.
My Transformation as a Teacher-Learner-
When I look back at myself at the start of this course, I see a traditional teacher who believed in “more technology = better learning.” Now, I think very differently.
I have started asking myself:
Does this tool really serve my students’ needs?
Am I helping them think critically or just giving them another app?
Etc etc.
My Favourite Part: The Poem-
One of the most creative moments in my video is a poem I wrote to capture my journey:
“From chalk and boards to screens so bright, I learned to question, not just write.
Debates and voices shaped my way, To teach with balance, every day.
Tech is a tool, but heart will guide, On this new road, with hope as my stride.”
Final Reflections-
This class has been a journey of curiosity, reflection, and growth. It has given me new confidence to use technology with purpose and care.
I am grateful to my professor and classmates for making these virtual spaces feel like a real learning community.
Do watch my full summary video on you tube link provided.
Hello friends! Welcome back to my blog. In this post, I want to share why I strongly believe schools should continue teaching skills that technology could do for us like cursive writing, multiplication tables, and spelling. These basics are more than nostalgic. They build brain strength, confidence, and real independence.
Why I believe in teaching these basics????
Cursive & Handwriting Connect the Mind and Heart and to support this I have brought for you some recent researches and highlights as below:
Research from Reading Rockets shows that handwriting instruction helps children link letter forms, sounds, and spelling which improves reading, writing, and literacy skills in early years.
A recent Guardian article highlights that handwriting even cursive supports creativity, focus, memory, and connects us to cultural history.
At BISB Boston, educators found that cursive boosts cognitive development and fine motor coordination.
A personal memory: I recall practicing cursive in school and feeling speed and rhythm in my writing. Now, unlike typing, my notes feel more personal and in tune with my thoughts.
Tables: The Superpower of Mental Math
A Demme Learning blog post explains how developing math skills like table learning and multiplication from a young age is crucial, as it supports logical thinking and problem-solving abilities, its boosts up confidence and helps in developing long-term memory, making it easier to grasp and master more advanced concepts later on.
I am a teacher and I’ve seen students stumble over fractions simply because they weren’t fluent in basic tables. That delay breaks their confidence so quick recall helps them stay engaged.
Spelling: More Than Spellcheck
Spelling instruction remains key to literacy. Spellcheck tools don’t teach pattern recognition or vocabulary expansion.
Deliberate spelling teaching fosters understanding of language structure and builds reading fluency.
Cognitive Benefits-
As a matter of fact, practicing recall (e.g. saying tables aloud or writing spelling) boosts long-term memory more than just re-reading. It embeds knowledge in ways students can access later. Source: Wikipedia
School Trends: Hands-on Wins
Many U.S. states are reintroducing cursive in schools like Iowa, now requiring cursive instruction because of evidence that it improves literacy and cognitive engagement.
Infact, as per CBC Canadian Press, Ontario has supported a comeback to cursive in schools as cursive writing is a critical life skill helping young people to express more substantively, to think more critically, and ultimately, to express more authentically
Why Tech Doesn’t Replace These Skills
Think of basic skills like a foundation for a building:
For cursive: Even the best AI can’t replicate the creativity, identity, and brain engagement of writing by hand.
For multiplication: Calculators don’t build speed or confidence and students rely too heavily on tech.
For spelling: Spellcheck can’t teach language awareness or subtlety.
Technology is a tool. But tools can fail. When devices are unavailable or malfunction, the real strength comes from what students can do independently.
Where My Experience Counts
While teaching, I’ve seen:
Students were unable to sketch a quick chart because they were reliant on typing.
A shy student lights up when handwriting their first note instead of typing.
Ambition emerges in kids who have mastered multiplication orally as they tackle new math without fear.
The Balanced Approach
For me, the answer isn’t tech vs. basics, it’s a blended model:
Teach core skills like cursive, tables, and spelling. Then use technology to amplify but not replace them.
So I stand by that technology can be a tool for creativity and problem-solving built on a foundation of confident skills.
“Hello friends! Welcome back to my blog. Today I’m sharing my thoughts on Debate 5: Has technology truly made our society more equitable?”
Before this debate, I thought technology had already made our world more fair. I mean, I see people using phones to learn a language on YouTube, my cousin in India is taking an online university course from Canada, and I use Google Translate when I talk to families who don’t speak English. It looks so powerful!
But after listening to the debate videos (agree) and this one (disagree), reading all the articles, and reflecting on my own experiences as a teacher, my post-vote position is very different:
Technology is a tool with huge potential, but it hasn’t made society more equitable yet. In fact, many times, it makes the gap bigger.
Why would some suggest “Yes”-
The agree side showed so many heartwarming examples.
I loved how they talked about AI and equity. Bernard Marr in Forbes explains how AI can make health care, education, and other services cheaper and more accessible. I could totally see this helping families in villages where my relatives live in Punjab.
Another article about digital inclusion even hits the right chord. Things like free public Wi‑Fi and training programs can help people who can’t afford expensive internet.
Agree team in debate also highlighted assistive technologies like speech-to-text tools and visual supports that help students with disabilities communicate and learn better. I have personally seen a shy student bloom when using a simple iPad voice app, it felt magical.
And the story about the #NeverAgain movement, where teenagers used social media to bring their voices to the world, is definitely a revolution.
Ofcourse, if I take into account all these examples then “Yes! Technology has made us more equal.”
But here when I consider What Happens in Real Life, it questions the notion.
I still remember during the COVID lockdowns, as a teacher, trying to reach students who had no internet at home. We delivered printed worksheets to some kids because video calls and online lessons were simply not possible. This wasn’t just my school, and it is supported through RAND research that during COVID only 30% of students in high-poverty schools had good home internet, while 83% in richer schools did.
So, technically, Technology helped the ones who already had it. Thus, bringing equity in question????
Disagree team brought in another article from Georgetown University, that said it clearly: 2.7 billion people are still offline. That number is huge! So while we celebrate AI and apps, almost one-third of the world isn’t even part of this conversation.
Even when there are programs like the Digital Equity Act funding in the US, the changes are slow. It takes years for infrastructure to reach rural or poor areas.
Technology Is Not Neutral
Another thing I never thought about before this debate is that technology can carry bias.
In the Nature research study, they explained how AI systems often reflect the inequalities of the data they’re trained on. If biased data goes in, biased results come out.
This simple picture shows how technology can become a ladder for some students but a wall for others. The gap between those who “have” and those who “don’t” is very real.
Even social media, which I love for its power to connect, can spread false information super fast. And the people with less digital literacy (often the same disadvantaged groups) are most vulnerable to these traps.
Pre-Vote vs. Post-Vote
Pre-vote: I was optimistic and voted “Yes, technology has made society more equitable.”
Post-vote: After the debate, I changed to “No.”
Technology can make things fairer. But so far, the benefits have reached those who already have resources, skills, and access first.
Wrapping up my thoughts on the debate:
One thing is for sure: technology by itself doesn’t make society more equitable, it depends on how we guide and use it. What gives me hope is seeing organizations like UNESCO working with teachers around the world to teach responsible use of AI and digital tools. In fact, their short video “Guidance for Teachers on AI in Classrooms” shows exactly this as to how to make sure technology is used to empower students, close gaps, and build digital skills rather than widen divides.
So after this debate, my post-vote still stays on the “disagree” side. I don’t think technology automatically leads to an equitable society but with the right teaching, policies, and awareness, we can definitely make it a tool for equity rather than inequality.
I would love to hear your thoughts! What’s your take on this debate topic? Do you agree with my viewpoint, or would you want to add or change something based on your own experiences? Let’s keep the conversation going in the comments!
Hey there, welcome back to my blog!
Today I want to talk about something that stirred up a lot of interesting conversation in our recent educational technology class: Should cell phones be banned in classrooms?
Now, I know this topic can be a bit divisive. Some say phones are great learning tools, others say they are a complete distraction. But let me walk you through what I think, not just from research, but from my own experience as a former teacher.
My First Reaction: Yes, Ban Them!
As soon as I read the topic, my gut reaction was:
“Yes! Absolutely ban them!”
Why? Because I have seen what phones can do in a classroom and ofcourse not in a good way.
Back in India, I used to teach science to students from grades 6 to 10. One day I was explaining the digestive system with diagrams on the board, and I noticed a few students smiling at their laps. You guessed it right, they were watching memes on their phones, hiding them under the desk. It was frustrating, honestly. And this wasn’t just once. It kept happening.
That’s when I realized, even if we set rules, phones almost always found a way to distract.
Debating the Topic in Class
In our class debate, my partner Meherun and I were on the “Agree” side. We believe phones should be banned in classrooms.
Our lovely classmate Sadi took the “Disagree” side, and let me just say, she did a fantastic job! She brought forward strong points, solid research, and spoke with so much passion. I really appreciated her angle.
But even after hearing the other side, my views didn’t change much. If anything, they became clearer.
What We Discovered on Our Side
We dug into a bunch of studies and examples, and honestly, they made a lot of sense to me as a teacher.
A Carleton University study showed that test scores jumped by 6.4% when phones were banned. That’s the same as adding a whole extra week of learning.
In New York, schools that banned phones early saw fewer behavior issues and more focused classrooms. A statewide ban is coming in 2025.
In New South Wales, Australia, principals noticed that banning phones led to better peer interactions, improved focus, and fewer disruptions.
All of this added up with my own classroom experience. Teaching without phones felt more peaceful and productive. Students actually made eye contact, raised hands, and stayed present.
There were even a couple of media pieces we used that really stuck with me.
The Stanford GSE podcast featured educators discussing how phone use is linked with rising anxiety and poor attention spans in class.
Last but not the least,
The TEDx Talk by Jonathan Haidt was powerful. He said phones are not just distractions, they’re a public health threat. He talked about the connection between phones and teen depression, loneliness, and sleep problems. That really hit me hard.
When I thought about my own students, some of whom looked exhausted and emotionally checked out, this talk helped me understand why.
Meherun and I tried well to incorporate these findings in our debate and I am sure our friends were well convinced.
Nevertheless, Let’s Talk About the Other Side Too…
Like I said earlier, Sadi had some valid points too.
According to Campbell et al. (2024), blanket bans are not always effective. Sometimes they leave out opportunities to teach students how to use phones responsibly.
In her other agreement she brought in a research where Thomas, O’Bannon & Bolton (2013) pointed out that many teachers actually like using phones for activities like quick polls, research tasks, or making videos. They argued for more balanced policies and not full bans, but smart use with teacher guidance. That sounds great in theory.
But here’s my honest question:
Do we really have the time and energy to constantly monitor phone use, guide every student, and still manage the rest of the lesson?
In real classrooms especially ones with 30+ kids- that’s tough, really tough!!!
From My Teacher Heart to Yours
I know we live in a tech-heavy world, and yes, students need digital skills. But do they need to be on TikTok during Algebra? Probably not.
I truly believe:
“Phones outside the classroom? Sure. Phones inside the classroom? Big no.”
Let’s create phone-free zones in class where real learning and human connection can happen. Want to teach digital literacy? Great, do that during media periods, not during a Shakespeare lesson.
Some Real Benefits of Banning Phones
Here’s what I noticed when we had phone-free days in school:
Students were less anxious.
They talked to each other during breaks.
They asked more questions in class.
And believe it or not, they slept better because they weren’t glued to their phones all night.
We don’t have to demonize technology. But we do need to protect focus, attention, and mental health and school is the right place to start.
As someone who has taught Grades 6 to 10 science in India before moving to Canada, I’ve always been curious about how technology shapes learning. In the recent class debate (debate 3), we discussed whether AI technologies will revolutionize education for the better and I am glad that many points of claim really resonated with my own.
Teagan and Sheila spoke for the motion, and Jessalyn and Daegan argued against it. Both teams gave amazing points, but as someone who has seen students struggle with one-size-fits-all teaching methods, I believe that AI has the power to transform education in powerful ways!
What the “Agree” Side Said And Why It Resonated With Me
Teagan and Sheila highlighted how AI can personalize learning, making it possible to meet each student’s needs, something I struggled to do in a crowded Indian classroom! One article they shared from the Gates Foundation explained how AI tools can support teachers by saving time on tasks like grading, while giving detailed feedback to students. How helpful would that have been when I had 100 notebooks to check every weekend!
In their opening video, they explained how tools like Khanmigo or adaptive quizzes can give students a more tailored experience. The Springer research article also confirmed this that AI helps improve learning outcomes, especially in large classrooms or underserved areas.
Another great point was from the U.S. Department of Education AI Report (Ed.gov), which showed how AI can promote equity and accessibility. As a teacher, I had students who couldn’t afford tuitions. AI could have offered them free, personalized help.
They also shared a helpful podcast explaining both challenges and huge opportunities in AI. I totally agree here that we need to use it with caution, but not fear.
It shows real examples of how AI like GPT tutors can make learning exciting and personalized, similar to having a personal assistant for every child.
Now comes the flip side of the coin-
What the “Disagree” Side Shared/ Concerns We Can’t Ignore
Jessalyn and Daegan made some excellent points too. Their opening video warned that students are using AI to cheat and I have heard teachers in Canada worry about this too. One article they cited from the University of Illinois discussed how AI could widen the digital divide and replace human judgment in important decisions. That’s scary ofcourse.
They also mentioned ProQuest, highlighting risks like misinformation and student dependency on machines.
Their YouTube video by BBC World Service (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojjn9T_fuUw) argued that AI might reduce deep thinking. That made me pause and think!!!!! We definitely don’t want our students to become lazy thinkers.
But here’s the thing, these are not reasons to ban AI altogether. Instead, we should teach digital responsibility and integrate AI wisely. Just like we teach safe lab experiments in science, we can guide students to use AI ethically.
Here come my
When I reflect on my experience as a teacher in India, I wish I had access to tools that could support struggling learners, spark curiosity, or help me balance my heavy workload. AI can be that helping hand, not a replacement, but a partner in education.
I believe AI has potential to revolutionize education but only if we train teachers, set ethical guidelines, and use it as a tool, not a shortcut. I call out here, Let’s prepare our students not just to use AI, but to lead with it.
That’s the question that came in my mind as the debate began. It wasn’t just a class discussion anymore—it felt deeply personal. As a teacher, and someone who grew up in a slower, simpler time, I often ask myself: Is social media actually ruining childhood?
Looking Back to my own Childhood Days-
I still remember how my childhood felt—mud on my hands, neighborhood games, and evening chats on the terrace. There were no “likes,” no filters, and no pressure to keep up online. But today, it’s all different. I see kids glued to screens during recess, worried about Snapchat streaks and Instagram comments.
So, when I heard the debate statement — “Social media is ruining childhood” — I obviously nodded in agreement. , it is!
What the first team brought in…..
The agree team brought in some compelling and honestly emotional material. They brought in light a very powerful video by Matthew McConaughey’s video, where he said:
“Kids are growing up asking ‘What do you think of me?’ instead of ‘Who do I want to be?’”
That line lingered with me. I’ve taught children who seemed confident face-to-face but broke down after a mean TikTok comment. One girl I remember—let’s call her Riya—stopped participating in class after online bullying, despite being a top performer.
The Surgeon General’s advisory on Social Media and Youth Mental Health convincingly supports the agree side of the debate. It showed how excessive social media use affects sleep, attention span, and mental health, especially for young teens. It made me wonder—how many of my students come to class carrying invisible digital wounds?
Even a resource that add to this perspective I would like to add is TEDx Talk by Allison Graham, titled “How Social Media Makes Us Unsocial.” In just 5 minutes, she captures how social media might be connecting us digitally while disconnecting us emotionally and socially—especially among younger users. Watching it reminded me of how often I’ve seen students sitting together, but each lost in their own online world, missing real connection right in front of them.
But Then Came the Flip Side…
I was so very convinced by the arguments by team agreeing on the ruining effects of social media but as the disagree team started with point forth their points I saw a little shift in my perspective. Even as proposed by the team, I skimmed through Jonathan Haidt’s article in Wired:
“It’s too easy to blame the platform—it’s more complex than that.”
It’s true. I’ve seen kids use social media for good, too. One of my students created a short video about kindness and posted it on Instagram. It got shared widely, and soon, other students began replicating her small acts of kindness.
Video from the BBC called Is Social Media Good For You? yet convinces more. I does not sugarcoat the risks, but it also shows how young people are using platforms to fight injustice, raise awareness, and build community.
Here comes the real question- So… Is Childhood Ruined?
Well, listening through both sides of the arguments, I don’t think it is ruined. It’s just different. And we are all still figuring out how to raise kids in this new, connected world.
What worries me most isn’t just the technology—it’s the lack of guidance. Many kids are left to navigate the digital world on their own, without understanding digital boundaries, privacy, or emotional resilience.
As a teacher, I try to hold mini “tech check-in” circles with students. We talk about what they see online, what bothers them, and what makes them feel proud. This way I try to help them use it with purpose.
So what’s my final take on the debate-
If you ask me, Social media is not the villain. But it can become one if we leave kids alone with it.
So, no—I don’t think it’s “ruining” childhood. But it’s reshaping it in ways we’re just beginning to understand. Our job as educators, parents, and mentors is to walk alongside kids, not behind or ahead of them.
Here I end my blog post and I would like to here of what my friends have to say on this…. Drop in your comments….. Till then singing out
“Technology will never replace great teachers, but in the hands of great teachers, it’s transformational.“- George Couros
So, what were my Initial Thoughts!!!
When I first saw this topic of debate, the answer was obvious to me: Of course technology does enhance learning! I have been a teacher for a long time and I have seen students getting super excited when using interactive apps, and I have used videos and online games to explain topics that textbooks just could not bring to life. Teaching Gravity to Grade 9 students was never this easy and technology did bring better results for me. Also, I remember when I was teaching photosynthesis to Grade 8 students, I used thePhet Interactive Simulations website. The interactive animations helped students visualize what happens inside a leaf. It was the most satisfactory class for my students back then. Even I was at ease of teaching that way.
Nevertheless, today’s debate by the two groups and reading through recommended articles etc, I am being a little more thoughtful on its real significance in the classroom learning.
So, if I first put a critical eye on the arguments given by Team Agree, then Yes, It Enhances Learning
I must say the team supporting technology did a great job explaining how tools like AI, apps, and digital platforms can actually save teachers time and help students in different ways.
Even applauds to the articles they brought in to strengthen their debate. One resource I found interesting was this article from McKinsey: HowAI can help teachers save time As I read through this, I could easily relate as to how teachers spend too much time on admin work, and tech could give them back hours each week to focus on students. That really stood out to me—because I know how busy teachers already are!
I liked how the teams brought up two frameworks that help teachers use technology in smart ways:
TPACK: Connecting technology, content, and teaching strategies.
SAMR: A model that shows how technology can transform learning (not just replace a worksheet with a Google Doc).
Well, well well… here you can find two short videos that explain the two said models…. see I am using technology to help you understand technology! – SAMR & TPACK
I also came across article from Edutopia titled “Technology Integration: A Short History“, which was quite insightful. It shows how technology has slowly evolved in classrooms- from overhead projectors to Chromebooks and emphasizes that the real impact happens when technology is used with clear educational goals. Yes ofcourse, it is not just adding gadgets but about integrating them with purpose.
Now let’s review the other side of the coin presented by Team Disagree- No, It’s Not Always Helpful
I must say as I looked through the viewpoints of the opposite team, they made some very strong points too. Ofcourse, they are so true that not all tech use is good. Sometimes, it distracts more than it helps.
All that glitters in not always gold and yes, they are right too.
I skimmed through the research they shared fromJohn Hattie and Adrienne Hamiltonwho looked at thousands of studies and found that technology often makes no real difference unless it is used the right way. In some cases, it actually hurts learning when it is overused or used just for the sake of it.
Another article by Vodopivec, V. (2024) mentioned how “Bring Your Own Device” policies can lead to more distractions, especially if students are using phones for non-school stuff.
Video from Alliance for Responsible Citizenship. (2025, February 17)-The Most Compelling Argument Again Tech in Schoolswas actually compelling and awakening. In the video Sophie Winkleman shares how too much screen time impacts learning and development.
I actually now can reflect on how I have seen students totally ignoring a teacher just because they were focused on their device.
Oh yes, the team well emphasized that we should not rely on technology to fix education. I agree to a great extent that A great teacher with a chalkboard can still teach better than a poor teacher with a smartboard. Clicking through slides or apps might seem engaging, but it does not always mean students are deeply understanding the content.
My eventual take on this debate question now!!!!
Honestly, I still believe that technology can enhance learning, but only when it is used with intention. Just adding laptops to a classroom won’t magically improve learning. It depends on how teachers use it.
Technology is like seasoning in cooking—a little can bring out the best, but too much can spoil the dish.
The big lesson I took from this debate is:
It’s not about having the newest technology; it’s about using the right tools in the right way to support good teaching.
So, here I would like to ask my friends reading my blog-
Have you seen technology help or hurt learning in your own experience?
What apps or tools have worked best for you as a student or teacher?
Drop your comments below. I would love to read through your take on the use of technology in classroom teaching.
Vodopivec, V. (2024). A review of studies exploring negative effects of digital technology on student learning, academic performance, and class participation. Canadian Journal for New Scholars in Education, 15(2), 284–292.
I never thought of myself as someone who is good with technology. But here when I looked at my daily routine, I think I might be a little techie after all!
My day starts early when my 8-year-old daughter wakes me up (even before my alarm). While she gets ready, I quickly check my phone for emails, class/work notifications, or anything important. So, even before breakfast, I’m already using technology.
After that, I sit with a cup of tea and start my study time. I check my class notes, watch recorded lectures, and sometimes use YouTube to understand topics better. I also use Canva to make posters or slides for my assignments—it’s fun and easy. For writing and group work, I often use Google Docs and Zoom.
Recently, I started reading an interesting book which is Foundations of Educational Technology by Dr. Penny Thompson. It helped me realize that educational technology isn’t just about tools or apps. It’s really about how we use these tools to improve learning and teaching. That idea really connected with me.
I also connect with my classmates through WhatsApp. We share ideas, ask questions, and help each other. Even though we are not in the same place, it still feels like we are learning together.
And while doing all this, I’m also a mom. I help my daughter with her schoolwork, answer her endless questions, and prepare snacks in between. Life is busy, but I enjoy learning and growing each day.
So yes… I guess I am an everyday techie—not because I know everything, but because I use technology every day to learn, teach, and connect.
