Critically examine the roles of science and technology in social change. What is your opinion on their increasing trend in ‘online’ education an teaching?. (UPSC CSE Mains 2024 - Sociology, Paper 1)
Ogburn writes “Technology changes society by changing our environment to which we in turn, adapt. This change is usually in the material environment and the adjustment we make with”.
Scientific and Technological changes have converted the world into a global village and produced profound social changes. Industry, agriculture, transportation, communication, sources of energy, food processing, housing, and physical environment are influenced by technological changes. Almost all the technological developments brought about changes in social living, interaction patterns and social life.
Some of the major influences of technological factors on social life are as follows:
1) Changes in the institution of family such as from joint family system to nuclear family system; employment of females outside the 'household; change in the role and relationship of husband and wife; changes in the patterns of courtship; inter-caste and late marriage; increase in divorce rate; small family size due to the use of technological devices for birth control; reduced role of family in social control and neglect of the elderly due to changes in the social attitudes and social values.
2) Changes in the very basis of social stratification reduced effect of caste system on employment and day-to-day living; development of individualization and decline in community life; commercialization of recreation; problems related to migration and developments of slums in urban areas; stress and strain as a result of competition and fast-paced life; reduced role of superstitions in day-to-day life; emotional instability and occasional economic disruption and insecurity.
Online Education Trend
Benefits
- Flexibility and wider reach
- Democratization of learning opportunities
- Access to quality education for remote learners
Challenges
- Disparities due to unequal access to technology
- Potential reduction in social interaction
- Questions about the quality of online pedagogy
Various technological developments creating cultural lag are latest electronic equipments and their use in transportation equipments, family welfare instruments such as contraceptives etc. These are resulting in a terrific impact on social life. Ogburn concluded that many and frequent technological innovations of our modern age by occurring prior to the social change precipitate the cultural lag.
While science and technology drive significant social change, addressing associated challenges is crucial to fully harness their benefits.
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