—  A.K. Srikanth is the Bengaluru-based CEO, KLAY Preschools and Daycare

By blending traditional pedagogies with latest technology innovations, educators can ensure that children are academically successful and capable of navigating a challenging new world.

In today’s rapidly changing world, the education system requires radical reform. The question of whether to persist with long-established traditional pedagogies or fully embrace modern technological advances is often at the centre of education debates. But the reality is that children need more than just one pedagogy. They need well-rounded education that enables emotional, social, and intellectual development and tech-driven learning that equips them with adaptability to thrive in a dynamic global environment. 

By blending traditional best teaching-learning practices with modern tech innovations, educators can ensure that children are not only academically successful but also capable of navigating a diverse and increasingly challenging world. This balanced approach creates opportunities for students to build essential life skills and prepare for the complexities of the future. Such blended education is no longer a choice; it is a necessity to empower generation next for success in competitive and complex workplaces.

Value of traditional learning. Traditional pedagogies remain integral to education because they develop life skills critical for youngest children’s development. Activities such as storytelling, group play, and cultural knowledge enable them to develop empathy, manage emotions, laying the foundation for healthy interactions in adult life.

Moreover, traditional pedagogies emphasise physical play, vital for developing fitness, communication, and spatial awareness. Engaging with building blocks, puzzles, and outdoor activities encourages children to explore their environment while promoting creativity, problem-solving, and critical thinking — vital for intellectual development. Human interaction through communication and cooperative learning, teaches children to work together and express themselves effectively.

Role of modern technology in learning. While traditional teaching-learning pedagogies are important, modern education technology also offers significant benefits. The Covid-19 pandemic highlighted the value of digital learning in maintaining education continuity, with flexibility and adaptability. Without their attending physical classrooms, technology enabled children to continue learning. Since then, it has become clear that STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) education is vital to arouse children’s curiosity and develop critical thinking skills. New-age exercises such as digital coding and interactive games strengthen independent thinking and problem-solving capabilities of children.

Modern technology also empowers teachers by providing real-time feedback through digital platforms. This allows teachers to customise lesson plans to meet every child’s unique needs and makes the teaching-learning process for teacher and pupil more enjoyable.

Early childhood is a formative period for learning, as it builds the foundation for future development. By blending traditional pedagogies with modern technology, teachers can accelerate the cognitive, emotional and social development of children to enable them to flourish within and beyond classrooms.

Parent-teacher collaboration. Apart from facilitating parent-teacher communication, digital tools enable teachers to provide parents with progress milestones, updated reports and assessments, and enable transparency and clear communication. This helps parents make informed decisions about how best to support children’s learning at home. It also enables web-based conferencing and guides parents to access resources  such as books and conferences, while facilitating easy interaction between school and home environments.

Building resilience and adaptability for the future. Blended learning helps children to develop resilience and adaptiveness. In this VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous) age, capability to think analytically, adapt to new situations, and solve complex problems have become critical. Integrating traditional practices with technology will enable children to develop important 21st century skills.

Yet balancing traditional pedagogies with latter-day digital technologies is not without challenges. It’s already well-established that excessive exposure to digital devices can negatively impact children’s physical and cognitive development and adversely affect their posture, eyesight, and attention spans. Therefore, it’s essential to balance digital screen time with hands-on experiences, physical activity, and creative exercises to eliminate tech overload and ensure children’s holistic growth and development. Responsible utilisation of digital technologies has become vitally important. They enhance learning without replacing the advantages of traditional classroom education.

The benefits of blended learning will also empower teachers. With routine administrative tasks taken care of by digital devices and AI (artificial intelligence), teachers can focus on teaching while learning themselves and reigniting the joy of teaching and nurturing children.

By combining traditional pedagogies with modern technology, school managements have the opportunity to create joyful teaching-learning environments that enable the emotional, social and intellectual development of children.