The Head’s Perspective

Bridging the Wisdom Gap: Helping Our Children Think Critically in a Tech-Fuelled World

It’s been a couple of weeks since our return from the winter break. During the holiday, I had some time to reflect on what we do at Roots, and what we may need to do differently. It’s no secret that we live in a world fuelled by technology and AI, and that we are preparing students for a future very different from the world we know today. One might assume that our children are growing wiser in this age where information is just a tap away. But ironically, the opposite may be true.

Recent conversations in education, including a thought-provoking piece from the Center for Humane Technology, have highlighted what is now called “The Wisdom Gap”. This refers to the growing gap between how fast the world is changing - especially with technology - and our ability to understand and make sense of it all. While technology keeps moving forward at lightning speed, our ability to reflect and think deeply hasn’t kept up. This raises an important question for us as parents and educators:

"Growing gap between how fast the world is changing - especially with technology - and our ability to understand and make sense of it all."

How do we prepare our children not only to keep up with the digital world, but to think wisely within it?

At Roots Gymnasium, this question is close to our hearts.

Why Critical Thinking Matters More Than Ever?

Many of our children are growing up in an environment saturated with screens, shortcuts, and instant answers. While technology has tremendous potential, it also risks narrowing their attention, their exposure to differing viewpoints, and their ability to sit and struggle with questions without needing immediate answers, for example, working through a challenging Mathematics problem rather than rushing to find a quick solution online.

When students simply Google an answer without engaging in a process of reasoning, they miss out on the most valuable part of learning: The struggle to understand.

The danger is not just a loss of academic rigour; it’s a loss of wisdom.

What We Can Do as a School?

We are working intentionally to help close the wisdom gap at school. Here’s how:

• Creating a Culture of Inquiry

In our classrooms, we are encouraging open-ended questions, class debates, and collaborative problem-solving. It’s not enough to get the right answer - we want students to ask: “How do we know this is true?” or “What might someone else think?”

• Teaching Digital Literacy

We are helping students develop the skills to identify bias, misinformation, and echo chambers online. Being able to consume media wisely is as essential today as learning to read was a century ago.

Roots Gymnasium blends critical thinking into subjects like Global Perspectives and CodeAi.

• Reflective Use of Technology

We model and teach thoughtful use of technology across all grades. While cellphones are banned at school, our high school students use iPads in class as learning tools, and our primary school learners make use of the IT lab during subjects like Global Perspectives and CodeAI. Our focus is on building awareness; whether it’s pausing to verify a source or turning off notifications during a lesson, we are helping students take control of their attention and use technology with purpose.

• Embedding Wisdom in the Curriculum

We are looking at ways to weave critical thinking themes, such as Ethics, Learning to Learn, and Philosophy, into the subjects we already offer, including Global Perspectives. This approach creates opportunities for students to engage with complex ideas, explore big questions, and build the confidence to form their own independent views.

What You Can Do at Home?

As parents, you play a vital role in helping your child navigate this tech-heavy world. Some practical ideas:

• Model mindful tech use. Let your children see you delay replying to a message or question a news article.

• Create tech-free spaces or times. Mealtimes or weekend walks can become precious opportunities for conversation and deeper thinking.

• Ask “Why?” often. Encourage curiosity, not just correctness. When your child asks a question, ask one back.

  
  

Our Shared Mission

As a school, we do not aim to fight technology, but rather to harness it for thoughtful learning. We want to raise young people who are not just informed, but wise. Who do not just react but reflect. Who are not just tech-savvy, but truly human in their thinking.

In this shared effort - parents, teachers, and learners together - we can begin to close the wisdom gap. We can build a generation who will not only keep up with the times but lead with clarity, compassion, and courage. The world our children will inherit depends not only on what they know, but on how wisely they choose to use that knowledge.