Computers are no doubt, pretty efficient in direct instruction and assessing students' abilities. However, teachers do that, and more. They involve interactive ways for students to understand new information through class activities and projects, whereas computers only present it. A lot of times we wonder why such activities are necessary, especially as students. Isn't it just a big waste of time to create a shoe box diorama of the planets just to learn about the solar system since it's going to be thrown out afterwards? Why do I have to write a whole book report on Shakespeare and present it to the class? In Thomas Arnett's
article, he says, " The best teachers are driven by a "whatever it takes" attitude to ensure all their students receive the resources and support needed." This connects to a point I made in my first blog about emotion. In times when students struggle learning on their own, teachers are their support. This includes changing up the methods of teaching and adapting to the student's needs to help them evaluate and incorporate what they learn to multiple subjects and the real world and " Those human aspects of good instruction are not going to be replaced by machines anytime soon."
(picture source)
Lisa Mims, an educator herself, shares her perspective in her
blog, against the idea of replacing teachers with computers. She also reiterates the point that computers can't adjust to student needs. Student performance shouldn't be based on simply memorizing information, teachers encourage critical and higher level thinking. With the technology that students have access to these days, they are already lacking in human interaction. Can you imagine how students will be if the only thing they interact with for the majority of everyday in the entirety of their school career is a computer? Education is important but social skills are also significant for the real world.
We don't always have the ability to perform at our 100%, most days are good and some days it can't be helped. We tend to forget that teachers are human too. They honestly don't get enough credit for the amount of work that comes with the job: designing lesson plans, coming up with different approaches for different student needs, supervise in clubs or sports, other administrative responsibilities, and professionally handle student behavior.
Yes! This is such a cool topic to explore!
ReplyDeleteI think the question, or rather the possibility of teachers being replaced by computers or even AI is something we may see in some capacity within our lifetimes. Also, as someone who is something of a technocrat and science-enthusiast, these sort of ideas really resonate with my interests.
All that being said, you make a lot of fantastic and intriguing observations. I particularly liked that you pointed out the fallibility of teachers by emphasizing that they are just as human as the rest of us and that they too can make mistakes. The balance between human interaction and technological innovation is certainly going to be a challenge for us in the future, or even presently, but I want to see what else you discover before committing to a single determination on that.
Thanks for your thoughts and keep up the good work!
Being able to clarify a question or detail will most likely always be where humans have an advantage over a computer. Computers as we know them can't gauge a reaction or explain facts in a different manner than pre-programmed responses to general questions. But as you point out, humans aren't always at peak efficiency, but neither are computers sometimes. Automated systems often experience all sorts of errors, and incorrect information can leave a lasting impression in young minds.
ReplyDelete