Can Technology Replace Teachers | iPad in Schools

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Posted on November 15, 2011 by mkaufman

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Can Technology Replace Teachers?

The following article has been submitted by Lindsey Wright. Lindsey is a writerand can be reached at lindseywright39 @ gmail dot com. Ive posted my comments in the comments section below.

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Can Technology Replace Teachers | iPad in Schools

Can Technology Replace Teachers? What is the role of teachers in todays technologically driven society? That is really the main question to ponder when discussing whether technology can take the place of educators in the near future. Within the past decade people have started to take online courses and master foreign languages through computer programs such as Rosetta Stone, so imagining robots taking over the education realm isnt that far-fetched. Even though technology can do many of the same responsibilities as educators, there is one thing that guarantees that technology can never take their place. Human relationships. A teacher does not just transmit knowledge; he or she guides his or her students. Teachers are mentors who encourage students to develop critical thinking skills and apply them to life. Teachers also pass on social skills and develop a moral compass to their students so transmitting knowledge is just a small part of what a great educator does. Sugata Mitra is a revolutionary when it comes to educational technology. One of the most recent inventions that Mitra made is virtual classrooms where unsupervised children learn from one another. Despite the exciting work by professor Sugata Mitra however, teachers are still needed because machines have no supervision skills. According to an article from Fast Company, professor Mitra found that children achieve only half of what their peers in face-to-face instruction can. Children, it seems, still need the encouragement (or coercion) of an adult to keep them from drifting off. So even though technology may

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Can Technology Replace Teachers | iPad in Schools

help children learn, it doesnt help them stay on task during their studies. Not only is it important to keep children on task, but it is also important that children are able to learn important life skills besides academics. A study from the College of Education at Michigan State University explains, computers do not teach children to question, to discriminate among sources of information, to weigh perspectives, to think about consequences, to bring contextual meaning to a situation, to be creative, or to make careful judgments. These are just some of the few crucial skills that teachers are able to pass on to their students. Technology doesnt have emotions or the ability to think creatively so it would be impossible for students to attain important life skills from inside the classroom. In Mitras study, adults set tasks for children to accomplish. Children need an adult in all educational situations so they can provide input and guidance. Without this input, it would be difficult for a group of children to find a positive direction because they would not have a superior to look up to or to ask for help once a problem arises. Technology will not be able to answer every question that a child may have or will not be a great communicator for the child when they get frustrated or confused during their study. Even though children can learn quickly from one another, they need a responsible person to guide them in their explorations in order to achieve a positive outcome. Out of any role, one of the most important a teacher can have is that of a mentor. Motivating children to pursue their own goals and dreams is the responsibility of a great teacher. When children are learning in school they shouldnt be surrounded by machines that cant talk, cope or relate to them. Teachers are excellent adult role models that children can become inspired by in addition to their family members. Technology isnt something that will encourage a student and it definitely wont be a role model for the child to inspire them. Many new teachers excited about incorporating computers

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Can Technology Replace Teachers | iPad in Schools

believe that they should let their students explore on their own with the machines. In fact, Kim Bochicchio claims computers are one tool that supplements the careful planning and personal interaction from a good teacher. Bochicchio, who has been teaching high school English for the past six years, further explains that technology is not always dependable. The Internet goes down, and only an English teacher can properly grade an essay and conference with a student afterward. Thus, in the past six years I have learned that technology can not replace the teacher and that students want to learn from humans, not machines. All in all, with the increasing social isolation of the modern world, educators must keep in mind that it takes a person to teach wisdom, socialization and morals to others. Educators are the responsible adults needed to teach these critical life skills inside a classroom as well as the basic academics. It is apparent that machines cannot take the place of people and hence, technology will never replace teachers.

Gosto

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This entry was posted in Anticipating the Future by mkaufman . Bookmark the permalink.

4 THOUGHTS ON CAN TECHNOLOGY REPLACE TEACHERS?

mkaufman on November 16, 2011 at 12:06 am said:

I think you are making an interesting argument for the changing role of the teacher not for the replacement of teachers. I would suggest, as you do in the article, that someone is necessary to create an environment to question, to discriminate among sources of information, to weigh perspectives, to think about consequences, to bring contextual meaning to a situation, to be creative, or to make careful judgments. I would argue that these are not the typical roles that teachers have taken on but that are necessary in order to be successful in the current and future global world. You also mention mentorship which again I dont think has been a typical role for teachers but a mentor and mentorship is very important as well in this new environment. I imagine, as some people are doing, that many young people will experience traditional lectures at home or

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Can Technology Replace Teachers | iPad in Schools

some other environment and the school environment will evolve to be much more collaborative and interactive and relationship oriented.
Reply

Burkhard on January 19, 2012 at 1:17 pm said:

I totally agree with Lindsay and Micheal. Thinking further, we have to question the way we educate teachers. Furture teachers have to be more enablers, moderators and inspiration than sources of knowledge and wisdom. I came across this blog in search for scientific research on the impact of new technology (specifically tablet PCs) in classrooms. There seem to be a lot of schools investing in latest technology but I havent come across any scientific efforts to evaluate the impact. Hints and Links appreciated! With kind regards.
Reply

Kim Bochicchio on February 19, 2012 at 10:51 pm said:

Thanks for reading and mentioning my article. Loved reading this article.
Reply

Kellie on February 29, 2012 at 7:07 am said:

Any teacher that can be replaced by a computer, deserves to be. David Thornburg

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