Do I need a Guru in the age of Google?
It’s no more like our times when we simply had a blackboard to stare at, or a textbook to learn. The only other learning equipment we had were just a few beakers or flasks in a small corner of a room called a “Science lab”, or a few books in the library. These were the only means of learning for us in our school which was our world too. Today the definition of learning has drastically changed. Today’s generation is just a click away from information, they simply need to type “How to” and there Google already knows what the child was about to ask. They get a perfect answer, very precise and a detailed one in a few micro seconds. GOOGLE is that smart, yes it is. Technology has taken the world of education by storm! The 21st century learner has many options to choose not only how to learn but from who to learn. Whether it be the virtual labs or the smart boards the tools of learning have evolved by leaps and bounds.
Do I need a Guru in the age of Google?
Yes a GURU is indispensable and vital in a child’s life. There is no doubt that Google has transformed the way we learn and has made education accessible to all. In fact GOOGLE is playing a very important role in spreading the fire of knowledge but a GURU is the one who kindles the spark in a child. A GURU is the one who can pique the child’s curiosity to learn.
There is a sea of information available online which can be overwhelming to some learners. A GURU can guide a child to navigate through this complex web of information. A GURU could mentor the child to harness its benefits. Children learn best learn when they are motivated, a GURU influences a child and is a source of that motivation to the child.
GOOGLE can no doubt connect people from different parts of the country or world but a GURU has a personal connect with the child which is very essential for the emotional development and important for the unfolding of the inherent potential of the child. One of the most important factor to make learning experiences wholesome and complete is this personalised touch which only a GURU can provide.
There are many qualities which a GURU could learn from GOOGLE. GOOGLE provides knowledge to learners irrespective of their age, socioeconomic status, nationality, gender, religion, ethnicity etc. A GURU needs to empower his or her student regardless of who and what they are.
As GOOGLE understands what the child wants to ask even before the child asks a GURU should know what the child wants even before the child asks for it. A GURU should know when a child needs to be cared and loved, when a child should be appreciated.
GOOGLE is updating itself every minute, hence a GURU needs to upgrade herself too. A GURU can use GOOGLE to enhance the teaching skills, to learn new strategies and teaching techniques, to become a better teacher. A GURU can use Google apps, Google forms as a tool to make learning easy for children. A GURU can become a smart teacher by the smart use of GOOGLE. Many schools boast of smart boards, but fail to understand the importance of smart teachers.
If GOOGLE can acquire the qualities of a GURU, then it would not be difficult for a GURU to learn the qualities of GOOGLE to become a GOOGLE GURU.
This teacher’s day can every teacher take an oath of becoming a GOOGLE GURU for every child?
HAPPY TEACHER’S DAY TO ALL
Please share your views and comments….
Thank you
Yasmeen Ovias