Table 1: I am confident that my child’s teacher(s) knows how to use technology in a meaningful way to support teaching and learning.
In the wake of the global pandemic, education systems worldwide faced a sudden shift toward digital learning. Many teachers, particularly those trained in traditional methods, were thrust into a rapidly changing landscape that demanded the integration of various digital tools. Parents, observing this drastic change, might feel uncertain about the competency of educators in utilizing technology effectively for their children’s learning experiences.
A significant concern among parents stems from a recent survey, indicating a substantial level of dissatisfaction regarding the use of educational technology in classrooms. The Dubai Parent Screentime Survey revealed that more than half of respondents (66.17%) disagreed or strongly disagreed with the assertion that they were satisfied with how technology was incorporated into the educational process (see Table 2). This statistic highlights a widespread perception that technology is not being leveraged in ways that genuinely enhance learning outcomes.
Many parents express the concern that technology often acts as a substitute for high-quality, face-to-face instruction rather than enhancing it. Observations of children spending excessive amounts of time on screens, engaging with automated tasks, lead to worries about the erosion of meaningful interaction between students and teachers. The emphasis on technology might reduce the human connection that is vital for holistic student development, pushing aside the crucial role that personal engagement and teacher guidance play in the learning process.
Additionally, there is a prevailing concern (58.28%) among parents that the increasing prevalence of technology in educational settings could be diminishing the teacher’s role (see Table 3). This anxiety is particularly pronounced when students are observed spending significant portions of the school day engaged with their devices, often with little direct interaction with their instructors. Such scenarios may lead parents to feel that the intrinsic value of teaching—characterized by personal mentorship and support—is being overshadowed by technological tools.
In order to assuage parents’ concerns surrounding the potential replacement of teachers by technology, it’s essential for schools to communicate the continued importance of educators in the learning environment. Schools can frame technology as a supporting tool that enhances teaching rather than replaces it. For instance, educators can leverage digital tools to personalize instruction, provide timely feedback, and design more dynamic lessons tailored to students’ needs. By highlighting how digital resources inform instructional decisions based on students’ data, schools can bolster parents’ confidence in teachers as pivotal players in their children’s educational journeys.
Moreover, open channels of communication between schools and parents can foster a greater understanding of how technology is beneficial when used appropriately in the classroom. Workshops or information sessions could be organized to showcase effective uses of technology, allowing parents to witness firsthand how digital tools enhance learning experiences rather than detract from them.
By actively involving parents in discussions about the role of technology in education, schools can build a partnership grounded in mutual understanding and shared goals. Demonstrating technology’s supportive role in the educational landscape can help reassure parents that teachers are still at the heart of their children’s learning journeys, equipped with the skills to navigate this hybrid learning environment effectively.
