Technology in Education: A Boon or a Challenge for Students?

In today's fast-paced digital era, technology has infiltrated every sphere of life — and education is no exception. The role of technology in education has become increasingly significant, transforming the way students learn and teachers instruct.

While its potential to revolutionize learning is undeniable, an over-reliance on technology in schools has started to raise critical concerns about its impact on students’ academic performance, mental well-being, and overall development.

At Cognibot – The School , we firmly believe that technology should be a tool for enhancement, not a crutch that replaces genuine learning experiences.

The Challenges of Technology in Education

The rampant digitization in many schools, especially those flaunting the 'international' tag, has shifted the focus from quality education to flashy tech integrations. Unfortunately, an unchecked dependence on digital learning tools can limit the growth of students.

Here are some common challenges of technology in education:

• Diminished critical thinking and problem-solving skills: Assignments often require students to use the internet extensively. As a result, many resort to copying and pasting information without truly understanding the concepts — a shortcut culture that undermines learning.
• Device dependency: Homework sent through links or WhatsApp pushes students to use smartphones, tablets, and laptops for everything. This fosters a habit of seeking quick answers online rather than engaging in thoughtful analysis.
• Mental and physical health risks: Prolonged screen time has been linked to eye strain, poor posture, and sleep disturbances. Excessive use of social media further fuels anxiety, depression, and feelings of inadequacy among students.
• Blurred boundaries between academics and leisure: Devices introduced for school tasks often become gateways to social media and gaming, making it harder for students to focus and balance their time.

Global concerns about over-digitization in education

As rightly stated by UNESCO in its report on the digitization of schools, excessive technology use among students not only hampers academic performance but also jeopardizes their mental and physical well-being.

According to large-scale international assessment data, there is a "negative correlation" between excessive use of digital technology and student performance. UNESCO noted that countries are beginning to recognize the need to prioritize learners when integrating digital tools into education. It highlighted China’s approach, where the use of digital devices in teaching is capped at 30% of class time, and students are encouraged to take regular breaks from screens.

After analyzing 200 education systems worldwide, UNESCO estimated that one in four countries had prohibited smartphones in schools, either through legislation or official guidelines. This includes France, which implemented the policy in 2018, and the Netherlands, which is set to enforce restrictions from 2024.

Manos Antoninis, Director of the Report, emphasized the importance of learning from past mistakes in integrating technology into education to avoid repeating them. He stressed the need to teach children how to navigate both with and without technology — to extract valuable information while disregarding the unnecessary — and to use technology as a tool to enhance, not replace, human interaction in teaching and learning.

Why Cognibot Opposes the Overuse of Tech — But Not Technology Itself

In the light of all this, we should discuss the role of technology in education.

Let’s be clear: Cognibot is not against technology. We recognize its importance in shaping future-ready students, but we draw a firm line between responsible tech use and overindulgence.

• Our computer labs are equipped with internet access and safeguards, with teachers supervising students’ online activities, ensuring they engage with resources like ChatGPT for research and critical inquiry.
• We advocate using desktop computers placed in communal areas at home, with parental controls and restricted browsing, to foster safe and focused learning environments.

The Role of AI in Education at Cognibot

Recognizing the growing influence of AI, Cognibot takes a thoughtful, structured approach to teaching technology. Our SMAART Curriculum ensures that students aren’t just passive consumers of technology but active creators and innovators. We’ve incorporated futuristic subjects like:

• Coding
• Data Science
• Machine Learning
• Artificial Intelligence
• Robotics

Additionally, we house a 1,500 sqft AI Lab featuring high-performance computing systems. This lab empowers students to explore AI concepts hands-on, fostering problem-solving skills and encouraging them to think critically about how technology can be leveraged to solve real-world challenges.

Our SMAART subjects and AI lab equip students with the knowledge to navigate the digital world and not be overpowered by it.

Finding the Balance: Technology as a Tool, Not a Trap

While other schools may push for excessive digitization — making smartphones and tablets mandatory — Cognibot understands both the challenges and the benefits of technology in education, remaining committed to a balanced approach. We harness technology to enhance learning, not replace human interaction or diminish the importance of critical thinking.

For example, our teachers use customized educational videos (5 to 20 minutes long) to visually explain complex concepts — from the movements of the Earth to nuclear reactions. However, these videos are tools to support interactive discussions, not substitutes for teaching. Unlike tech-heavy schools, where pre-recorded lessons dominate the classroom, our teachers guide students through inquiry-based learning, ensuring active participation and engagement.

The Way Forward: Mastering Tech Without Being Enslaved by It

At Cognibot, our goal is to cultivate tech-savvy yet well-rounded students. Understanding the growing role of AI in education, we equip them with cutting-edge skills in the fields of data science, nanotechnology, and robotics, but also stress the importance of critical thinking, collaboration, and adaptability — essential qualities for navigating an increasingly automated world.

Our SMAART Curriculum ensures that students are not just users of technology but innovators, thinkers, and problem solvers. The AI Lab gives them a space to experiment, create, and push boundaries, all while maintaining a strong foundation in traditional learning methods.

In a landscape where many schools chase trends for profit, Cognibot remains focused on what truly matters: nurturing thoughtful, innovative, and resilient learners. Our approach proves that while technology can be a powerful ally, it should never overshadow the core purpose of education — to inspire curiosity, encourage creativity, and build a strong foundation of knowledge.

Let’s guide students not just to use technology but to master it responsibly.