CLASSROOMS THEN & NOW

Ms. Mayuri Patil
Department of UX Design
Assistant Professor
Kalinga University

Time is about the ticking clock going by one second to another. Time changes not just from dusk till dawn but also with seasons, fashion and trends. Some desirably comes back some remain stuck in formation and some become iconic. Eras have passed that pupils or disciples listened to legends and gurus all across the globe. Time changed from open amphitheaters & takshshilas to enclosed classrooms to virtual platforms. Ways to education changed as time went on, human interaction became a resource to explore and expand. Where open theaters fostered debate, physical classrooms created structured learning. Knowledge remained an element that passed on and experienced differing from soul to soul and interactions. Knowledge is age old, any of it or none of it both have advantages and disadvantages. Before it was shared to enhance and reciprocate–to grow.
“If you have knowledge, let others light their candles at it” – Margaret Fuller.
Almost 4 decades ago, internet was new, now it’s nestled into our lives as if part of us. We cannot live without it. It’s an abundant forest of information and misinformation. Before internet lives were more cohesive with people. Nowadays we require retreat and detox to connect back to ourselves as well as other. Though internet brought us together through its continued advancements and accessibility it also created a wall of screen
Classrooms integrated from open to enclose to a screen, automation and innovation evolved the very nature of learning making it more towards one than to one on one or a team. Its nature that we perform and grow better with habitats, communities and environments. Learning is not classified by age or class but its desire. Structured learning emphasized a step-by-step approach, dividing information into digestible parts to aid gradual comprehension. Internet revolutionized learning by being on our fingertips. But this access comes with the challenge of discerning valuable insights and, at times, distancing ourselves from in-person interactions and the benefits they bring.
The future of classroom may very well blend these worlds—leveraging digital tools while fostering collaboration, critical thinking, and interpersonal skills that define learning beyond mere information consumption. Learning from your interaction. Whether interacting with a peer or a virtual AI, learning can happen anywhere—whether within walls, under open skies, or through screens. Empathy and shared experiences remain fundamental, as we continue to redefine our spaces for interaction.