Socialising Over the Net

The journey of our young students from socialising to social networking has been a rather quick one. LinkedIn, Netlog, Friendster, Classmates.com are some of the popular sites that help in keeping friends ‘connected’. But Facebook is the one social network site that seems to be rocking. 

Inspire asked people across age groups what Facebook meant to them.

Well, social networking is all this and perhaps more. Networking sites provide a medium that has global reach and yet is personalised. It connects countless people to each other. Yet when you are logged on, it speaks to you alone. To top it all it is free. 

Children, preteens, teenagers and even adults seem to be thriving in this ‘Net Connect’. The pictures that we get to see on these social networking sites have created a revolution of sorts. Bizarre hairdos and wacky tattoos; pouted lips and blowing kisses; cool clothes and funky gear; hugs and goodbyes; hills and flowers; cakes and cookies; cars and cell phones...you name it and you’ll see it. 

‘Chatting’ consists of all subjects one can think of under the sun. Social network mania is not just affecting the upbeat metro children and youth. People from small towns and cities are equally under its influence with phones and sms. The chatting lingo is a hit with all. All feelings, expressions, thoughts—find a place in the little space of the chatting window. New found confidence is kicking in everyone. There is also a great deal of exhibitionism seen emerging from this addictive habit.

One wonders why a twelve year old schedules his evening hours to catch up on the Net assured that his tennis and guitar practice can wait. Schools and parents are in the blame-game mood. The child’s over-indulgence in social-networking is the discussion point of many meetings. 

Inspire feels, parents, teachers and older siblings have to play the role of moderators for young children. These children are growing up in a digital age, where they see the parent responding to an sms before responding to the doorbell. If the parent is more relaxed that the child is ‘happy and safe indoors’ even if he is for hours on the Net, then the child will surely find ways and means to thrill himself through that channel. Then again, telling the child – “You cannot go online”- may be less effective than connecting with the child on a personal level and explaining how they should also try ‘offline’ things like playing a game of football or painting perhaps. 

Social networking can be fun and useful, as long as it does not get addictive; does not hamper studies; does not become a source of temptation; does not lead to overpowering fantasies; and does not eat into one’s time for work and other interests. 

It is a matter of concern if it comes in the way of real-life socialising. There are people experiencing healthy and meaningful friendships online, though their actual flesh and blood friendships and associations are going through a dip. This can be alarming as the virtual world is after all not absolutely real. 

The High-Tech Factor

As Inspire explores ‘change’ in a student’s everyday life, the magnum of it seems vast and almost infinite. We delve into the different facets of change through a series of articles. The first of this is on technology. 

Today we focus on digital media and its repercussions on students. Educational CDs, online portals, computer games, the very popular PS3, specialised educational digital boards are all different avatars of digital media, that have become an integral part of a student’s life.

Gone are the days when getting to know the happenings in the school involved reading notes from the child’s School Diary or scheduling a meeting with the Class Teacher. Today, school portals have it all accessible for students and their parents within a few clicks, sitting in the comforts of their homes. The class lists, class schedules, events, competitions, breakthroughs, results, loads and loads of pictures- you name it and it is there. So schools are on an all-time communication high thanks to digital media. This at any rate does not seem to affect the student’s performance or level of interest in academics. 

Specialised educational digital boards, on the other hand, are innovative teaching and learning tools. The blend of interesting visuals complemented with audio keeps students engaged. It facilitates the teacher to present otherwise mundane topics in interesting ways.

The amazing popularity received by ‘Hole in the Wall’ (where NIIT made breakthroughs in taking technology and education to the neglected strata of society) speaks volumes about the power of digital media. 

The wow factor however takes a u-turn when we look at some other aspects of digital media. Take for example the PS3, Kinect or Nintendo games - that have half the current generation of children glued to them. Look at educational and interactive CDs that are marketed by the dozens to over indulgent parents for their ‘tech savvy’ children. The publishers of such ‘educational’ games and CDs have a limitless market. So they have enough reasons to smile. 

The virtual world of social networking sites (with the likes of games like Farmville on Facebook) demands so much of a child’s attention that he forgets to connect with the real world outside. Infact, when did you last hear a child say – “The sky looks so beautiful today.” Or, “The rain feels so fragrant and cool.” At this rate, that day is not far when a cricket expert will mean someone who is an expert in digital cricket!

The proficiency of digital media is in fact gearing up to challenge the entire system of teaching. 

At Inspire, we find this alarming - for the child, for the student, for the teacher and for the entire system of education. Imagine the epitome of a tech-savvy class for a four year old. A self sufficient specialised educational digital board backed by perfect audio, teaching the child a nursery rhyme; or perhaps the sound made by ‘b’. Sounds astonishing, but it is not very far into the future.

Teaching, however, is so much more than a pre-recorded flawless voice, attractive visuals and overload of information. For children in formative years, it is the compassion, affection and the human factor that brings the classroom to life. Teaching is reaching out to the child, knowing him and helping him learn and evolve; something that digital technology can not supplant. Like any other place, here too we cannot assume a ‘one size fits all’ approach. Different children may respond differently to this technology.

E-books, online education and projects are all very welcome, provided the teacher is there to mentor and scaffold a child’s learning. Digital media - as a stand-alone mode of education is an impersonal and soul-less style of education for our children, even though its opportunists may say otherwise.

After all tele-factor and online friends that are ‘soul-connects’ for children don’t have souls, do they? 

Feel the Change

Progress is impossible without change; and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything - George Bernard Shaw

Change is inevitable, change is constant and change is a necessity. The 80s, 90s followed by the turn of the century have left us all elated and puffed up with ‘change’. It sure is a great feeling to be ‘updated’ versions of what we would have otherwise been. The ‘generation next’ is indeed a progeny of this process of change. 

However, there is another perspective of ‘change’ that is happening alongside. These are the intangibles that are either changing, or getting influenced by the elaborate progress that is happening all around us. From talking about sundry things with the unassuming kiryana wala bhaiya to getting greeted by a somewhat English speaking attendant at a big store - has not our approach towards shopping changed? 

How are relationships today – within homes, amongst friends and most importantly at school? Does the sanctity that marked a teacher-child relationship remain still? Or are we experiencing a change there just in many of the other things?

One look at schools, arty classrooms – and you can say that ‘we have changed’. Preschools today look bright, pretty and all done up. At a senior school level, ‘digital media’ is infusing newer techniques into the teaching and learning process. With technology, consumerism, exposure, media, the change is happening at express speed. What we see as a result of this is – a student who belongs to the ‘generation next’.

Inspire is all set to explore this phenomenon of ‘change’ and its impact on the child today. We question - are we changing with a direction and purpose? Is change getting transferred in to a teaching and learning style where rote learning ceases to exist? Is change happening in the teachers approach towards the over informed child of today? 


Are we ready for the change we are inviting?