In a world where technology is part of our daily decisions, an important question arises: how can we take advantage of its benefits without losing our ability to think and question for ourselves?
With this question in mind, the First Latin American Congress: Dialogues between Philosophy, Pedagogy and Humanities was held, an academic meeting dedicated to the analysis and interdisciplinary dialogue on the transformations of contemporary thought in education, philosophy and politics.
The congress opened a space for researchers, teachers and specialists from Latin America to share perspectives on the role of critical thinking in current social and cultural processes.
Among the participants was Dr. Sanjay Nanwani, Professor of Communication and Liberal Arts at the Elisia Education Hub universities, who presented a paper on the challenges posed by the use of technology in the training of critical and participatory citizens.
How does technology influence our ability to think and decide?
Under the title ” Zombies at the mercy of technology or beings with human agency? Implications for the cultivation of democratic citizens in schools and universities”, Dr. Nanwani addressed how the excessive or inappropriate use of technologies can transform learning processes and the way in which people make decisions.
During his presentation, he reflected on issues such as social isolation, technological dependence, and the risks of delegating thought processes to digital tools.
He also identified some challenges that students currently face:
- Consuming information without analyzing or understanding it.
- Accepting digital recommendations without questioning them.
- Delegating personal and academic decisions to artificial intelligence.
- Confusing the speed of a response with the acquisition of knowledge.
- Replacing research, critical reading, and problem-solving processes with immediate solutions.
Based on the educational proposals of John Dewey, Paulo Freire, bell hooks and Maxine Greene, the professor invited reflection on how educational institutions can foster intellectual autonomy, critical thinking and democratic participation.
His presentation highlighted a relevant question for education today: How can we take advantage of technology without losing our ability to question, reflect, and make our own decisions?
Meet Dr. Sanjay Nanwani
Dr. Sanjay Nanwani holds a doctorate specializing in education for democratic citizenship, linguistics, and educational consulting. He currently serves as a professor of Communication and Liberal Arts at Elisia Education Hub.
His academic career has focused on the development of literacy, civic skills and critical thinking, fundamental areas for understanding and actively participating in contemporary society.
His teaching experience also has an international dimension. He has taught at universities in South America and carried out educational activities in India, including his work with Dalit communities in Anantapur and his experience in New Delhi, at the University of Delhi and the British Council.
This trajectory has allowed him to approach different educational, social and cultural contexts, enriching his perspective on the challenges of teaching and learning.
Learn from teachers with international experience
Choosing a university also means choosing who you want to learn from. At Texas State University Querétaro, having professors who participate in academic meetings and have international experience allows students to approach different perspectives, knowledge, and debates that transcend the classroom.
The experience of teachers like Dr. Nanwani helps to connect academic content with current issues, foster conversations that challenge ideas, and develop skills to analyze problems from different points of view.
For students, this represents an opportunity to learn from professionals who have worked in diverse educational environments and who can share experiences applicable to their academic and personal development.
Your university experience is also built through the people who teach you, the questions that inspire you, and the perspectives you discover.
At Texas State University Querétaro, you can develop your critical thinking skills, broaden your worldview, and prepare yourself to make decisions that will shape your future. Explore our academic programs and discover the opportunities that can become part of your university journey.
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