Teachers VS. Technology

Can Technology replace Teachers?

Computer is teacher's friend (Haigh, 2007)

  As a seminar group activity we raised an efficient debate on the fore and against of replacing teachers, as well as introducing more advanced technology by using ‘Google Slides’. The majority of the class, including myself argued against the favour of technology replacing teachers due to various reasons. Those valid reasons made by half of the group were to do with liability of technology and the system, costs of our economic state as well as considering living costs, leading to inevitable effect to those who can’t have access to technological devices.

  There are significantly numerous reasons to why many people would be in favour with technology other than humanly figures educating us. Gauntlett (2008) stated his belief that “our contemporary education is outdated” and that we should shift from the ‘sit down and be told’ culture to the ‘making and doing’ approach. I believe that there will always be a constant change within our education system, for example methods of pedagogy and how we execute tests, assignments and revision. Even though Gauntlett (2008) made a valid argument demonstrating the shift of culture in order to keep up with our developing generation, some may disagree with his attitude because many students are already getting distracted when devices are involved – decreasing their attention and focus span. Along with getting distracted in classrooms, having teachers replaced by technology would mean that these children would be stuck indoors, resulting them to lose the social aspect that they would normally receive from schooling life. Children need to learn in a social community to develop their language and social skills as part of their holistic development; also their learning is fed from others’ opinions, helping them to critically think and improving their own knowledge.

  The use of technology is considered as a cheat when it comes to certain topics such as Mathematics, Science, and Geometry etc. With this, it means that we adapt to having less control and increased temptation to use the calculator, and the Internet to find answers without working it through. Assisting students to obtain poor results when it comes to tests and examinations without the support of these trendy devices. However, Younie and Leaske (2015) indicate that we shouldn’t stop using technology within classrooms as the use of ICT can promote motivation and enhancement within their learning and the opportunity to facilitate planning and organising element of education.

  Growing up and everything being revolved around the use of technology, I feel that I have intermingled within the digital native generation within my education. From using Paint software and playing interactive maths and literacy games in Primary Education to having to use ‘moodle’ to access and submit my work in University. I have definitely witnessed the difference in pedagogy, now that my ‘school life’ consists of turning up to lectures and seminars or catch up with everything online. In a way, this is a great benefit for those who desire to get a degree and study online from home. Not to go into too much detail, but the idea of the ‘Open University’ is absolutely extraordinary. Not only it’s available to the stereotypical university age, the Open University believes that they can prevent and encourage offenders “to move to a crime-free future on release” – this I believe that growing program like offering education from home contributes to the flourishing perception of replacing teachers with technology.

  The most important concept of technology taking teachers’ jobs is that students are not disciplined enough, meaning that their learning is too lenient and we as teachers cannot personally motivate them though screens. In my opinion, learning is part of building that important relationship with the teacher so that you can feel comfortable within your school – their responsible is to make students feel safe and approachable, considering if they are going through family, money, health and wellbeing issues at home. With many articles headlining ‘Intelligence Machines will replace teachers within 10 years’ or such as ‘Inspirational robots to begin replacing teachers’, they cannot offer real compassion, sympathy or empathy towards us human beings; their emotions are artificial, meaning we can’t connect our human emotions with computerized programs.

  In all, what would my reaction be if robots/technology actually replaced teachers with the next 10 years? … In truth, I think that I wouldn’t be able to come to an accepting manner having to think about my own children; I certainly wouldn’t want them to become digital natives or are revolved around these addicted devices all day long.

  In reality we can always ask ourselves ‘ Is technology slowly overtaking our future children’s childhood?’ No more outdoor plays, sense of play or even the thought of freedom within play. Think carefully…

 References:

-       M. Haigh. (2007) Can investigative practical work in high school biology foster creativity?

Research in Science Education, 37 (2007), pp. 123-140

-       Selwyn, N. (2011) Education and Technology: Key Issues and Debates. Bloomsbury UK.