What we need to remember is that technology, like everything
is constantly developing, growing and changing as time goes by. Now while at the moment there is still a call
for trained teachers around the UK, what we have to remember is most
educational institutions are already adapting to the use of more modern
technology within their pedagogical processes.
Harpreet Purewal (2016), who is a student in the university
of London, notes that these days’ students can stay at home and enjoy lectures
that are put online by lecturers, have Q&A sessions online for support and
have full access to a range of resources all through the university website
(Guardian, 2016). It begs the question
therefore as to why students need to attend university at all.
Below is an interview conducted by CNN with Steve Perry, an
Education Contributor to CNN, who discusses whether teachers will be replaced
with computers:
Steve argues that through the benefits of computer based
teaching, such as unlimited resources at the touch of a button, access
available almost anywhere, and that the education can be more one on one based,
will teachers in the future become an obsolete tool?
Purewal, H (2016). Can
technology replace teachers? The Guardian. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/dec/07/can-technology-replace-teachers-google.
(Accessed: 23 December 2016)
Whilst I agree that the use of technology makes it likely that higher education could function without teachers, when it comes to compulsory education the need for judgment, creativity, and empathy is a required factor. (Susskind, R. and Susskind, D. 2016)
ReplyDeleteEspecially with younger children, control, discipline and interaction are also crucial parts of education. Even with the development of skype in the classroom there would still be a need for some sort of practitioner. (TESL. 2013)
Alongside this Hurst et al (2013) has indicated that the quality of students work is better when allowed social interaction with their teacher. This indicates that whilst the number of practitioners may decrease due to the development of mobile technology they will never completely be replaced.
Susskind, R. and Susskind, D. (2016) Technology Will Replace Many Doctors, Lawyers, and Other Professionals. [Online] Available at: https://hbr.org/2016/10/robots-will-replace-doctors-lawyers-and-other-professionals (Accessed: 06.01.2017)
TESL. (2013) ‘Skype and Skype in the Classroom: Option for Language Teaching and Learning’. The Electronic Journal for English as a Second Language. 17(1). Pp 1 – 12
Hurst, B., Wallace, R. and Nixon, S., 2013. The impact of social interaction on student learning. Reading Horizons (Online), 52(4), p.375.
Even though I agree, students could carry out a degree through open university but many have claimed they learn more through the process of being surrounded by others.
ReplyDeleteThere is a chance of teachers becoming obsolete due to new technical devices, however many have argued it is not the same as having a teacher stand in front of the classroom. ‘With teacher’s help and initiation, students have more opportunities to develop complex cognitive or metacognitive skills (Liaw, Huang, & Chen, 2007)’ stated by Tsai in 2010.
Tsai, C. (2010). Do students need teacher’s initiation in online collaborative learning? Computers & Education, 54(4), 1137-1144.
After reading over what you both wrote, I decided I would conduct a little more research into the topic. I conducted an interview with 2 students at Bryn Celynnog Comprehensive about what they thought of technology in schools.
ReplyDeleteBelow are the full interviews for you to listen too:
Lauren Interview
Lois Interview
They both seemed to agree with you that while technology does have its benefits, it ultimately needs good teaching to be successful in education.