I think that due to the rapid technological advancements
that are happening in modern society, teachers are becoming more at risk of
being replaced by mobile technology. This could either be because the
ever-changing technologies are leaving teachers unqualified to use them
effectively in classrooms, or because this type of technology can make the act
of teaching in person redundant (Beauchamp, 2017). In my opinion, I feel that mobile technology should not replace teachers completely for many reasons. However, I feel that both teachers and parents should make mobile technology fully integrated with learning as children are becoming increasingly accustomed to using technologies such as mobile phones and tablets and so would perhaps learn better by using them for educational purposes. This video provides us with some information and opinions on this topic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FF5dORclb2M.
What are your opinions?
Reference:
Beauchamp, G (2017). Computing and ICT in the Primary School
(2nd ed.). Routledge: London.
I agree that the rapid advancements with technology is increasing the risk of teachers being replaced by mobile technology. However, I feel that a teacher will need to be present in most educational settings, in order to answer any questions that technology cannot provide an answer to.
ReplyDeleteI have found a short video that demonstrates how technology may be used within the classroom in the future, and even though the video shows technology to be used the majority of the time, a teacher is still present to control the class.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=uZ73ZsBkcus
Do you think the video is a realistic demonstration of how technology will be used in future classrooms?
Personally, I agree with Jenna’s comment as a ‘teacher’ has an integral role within education. I do not agree with the belief that technology will displace the teacher, however I do consider that technology has become a great support for teachers over the years and will continue to do so. By many, technology have been framed as ‘the teachers friend’ and there are many arguments to support this (Haigh, 2007). For example, the interactive whiteboards are very popular and it allows teachers to vary their styles of teaching in order for children’s learning to be enhanced. Also, the fact it can provide support to the teachers own learning and professional knowledge is helpful for them as they are able to have access to teaching resources and academic support. Overall, teachers are seen to be empowered and supported by the use of technology but not displaced.
DeleteSelwyn, N (2011). Education and Technology. London: Bloomsbury UK.
I think that the video is an interesting way to look at how mobile technology will be used in classrooms in the future. In my opinion, although much of the learning shown is through mobile technology, the teacher still plays a vital role in a pupils’ learning but in a reduced capacity. This is because teachers would still need to complete the planning of the lessons for each day as well as supervising students and keeping them focused on the set tasks.
DeleteIn contrast to the comments above there is evidence to show that teachers are being displaced by technology. After completing research on this topic ‘The Khan Academy’ seemed to be a popular resource that is being used in today’s society. The ‘Khan Academy’ is basically ‘a personalized learning resource for all ages’ which allows learners to study at their own pace. The academy provides exercises, videos and other educational materials on a range of subjects in order to help the world learn.
ReplyDeleteUnknown Author. (2016). About the Khan Academy. Available: https://www.khanacademy.org/about. Last accessed 9th November 2016.
Here is a video that gives an insight into what the Khan academy is all about:
https://www.youtube.com/user/khanacademy
I believe this is a very inspiring and extraordinary way of educating people around the world which will be a huge success in future technology. However, I still believe the role of teachers can still not be replaced within schools as they carry guidance and support for pupils who need it. What do you think of this?
I agree Lucy, the ideas ‘The Khan Academy’ have come up with in this video are remarkable and could have such a positive impact on people who lack funding to study. Providing free professional education in the comfort of people’s homes, will hopefully promote academic learning using technology. In the video, it states that it is aimed at ‘anyone and anywhere’. In my opinion it could potentially be successful for teenagers and adults, but I believe that children need more than technology to succeed. I think they it is essential that they are assisted and supported by either teachers, or adults who are very familiar and knowledgeable on a specific subject.
DeleteI agree with Lucy in the fact that, there definitely is evidence that demonstrates that teachers are being displaced by technology. Similar to The Khan Academy, Sugata Mitra created a 'School in the Cloud' which enables children to learn wherever there is an internet connection. Sugata Mitra believes that; "a self-organised learning environment (SOLE) can exist anywhere there is a computer, Internet connection, and students who are ready to learn", demonstrating that a teacher is, therefore, not necessary with all types of learning (School in the Cloud, 2016).
DeleteSchool in the Cloud. (2016). About - School in the Cloud. Available: https://www.theschoolinthecloud.org/about#heading3. Last accessed 12th November 2016.
In relation to Ryan’s post, I believe that although mobile technology is developing rapidly, personal verbal contact from teachers in classrooms is a necessity to accommodate children’s individual learning needs and speeds. Kearney (2012) states that traditional classroom environments today require a teacher to be the sole provider of knowledge. I agree with this statement as technology is gradually being used more to promote learning in classrooms, but teachers will always be needed to engage with students and develop explanation’s further. I think that its paramount children receive extra support from teachers on a one to one basis to enhance their academic development. If there weren’t teachers in classrooms, would questions be answered to accommodate different levels of intelligence as well?
ReplyDeleteWhat do you all think?
Reference:
Kearney, Matthew, Schuck, Sandra, Burden, Kevin, & Aubusson, Peter. (2012). Viewing Mobile Learning from a Pedagogical Perspective. Research in Learning Technology,20(1), Research in Learning Technology, 2012, Vol.20(1).
To answer Bethan's question, i don't think questions would be answered without teachers. Sugata Mitra (2013) once said; "Teachers often ask me, am I going to lose my job? I say no, because your job will get harder. It will become a different job. It will go from being a master standing at the front of class, to a helpful friend at the back". He also states; "There will have to be a dramatic change to teacher programmes but we are no where near that yet". This, therefore, demonstrating that technology will not replace teachers, it will simply change the role of the teacher from educator to helper. A teacher will always be needed to assist students with different levels of intelligence, whether confirming an answer or sitting with the student to ensure their understanding of a topic.
DeleteMitra, S (2013) cited in Marsh, S . (2015). Could computers ever replace teachers?. Available: https://www.theguardian.com/teacher-network/2015/feb/24/computers-replace-teachers. Last accessed 13th November 2016.
I agree with Jenna in regards to the role of the teacher changing over time as mobile technology develops. I understand that the generation gap between teachers and pupils is so great that even pedagogical approaches are changing today, as pupils are educating teachers on the many different uses of mobile technology. However, I feel in the future teachers will be fully accustomed to using mobile technology and so will develop alongside the technology (Peters, 2007). I believe that the teacher will always remain as the most fundamental aspect to a child’s learning.
DeleteReference: Kristine Peters (2007). m-Learning: Positioning educators for a mobile, connected future. International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning. Vol. 8, Issue 2.
I also feel that teachers cannot be completely replaced by mobile technology as it can be argued that the mobile technology would be rendered useless if there was not a teacher to guide pupils on how to use it effectively. There are many ways which mobile technology and pedagogy can be unified; an example is shown in the picture at the top of this post. For instance, in the Early Years sector, the use of apps such as ‘chatterkid’ would be useful to use to encourage enthusiasm in the pupils to develop their literacy skills. This integrates play elements into everyday learning, which is something that Donaldson (2015) highlights as an essential requirement in his report.
ReplyDeleteReference: Graham Donaldson (2015). Successful Futures: Independent Review of Curriculum and Assessment Arrangements in Wales. Available at: http://gov.wales/docs/dcells/publications/150317-successful-futures-en.pdf. Accessed: 10/11/16.
I agree with Ryan on the fact that ‘technology and pedagogy can be unified’. I have found a website that shares many examples on how this is happening in schools, especially in the early year’s sector. The website provides free materials and resources for teachers to use within their own settings and also for lecturers to use within their training. One of the resources that is shown on the website is ‘ICT and the outdoor learning environment’. It shares with us photos of children having fun outdoors and using technology at the same time. It shows them using digital cameras to explore and observe and also using walkie talkies and phones to help the children develop positive relationships with others. This is a useful website to prove that technology is helping children develop, although it also illustrates that without the role of the teachers this type of learning would not be possible.
DeleteHere is the website for you all to take a look at: http://ictearlyyears.e2bn.org/resources.html
I have found a very interesting newspaper article, which provides strong arguments against the statement “Could teachers be replaced by mobile technology in the future?” Wright, P (2013) states; “Technology in education gets plenty of hype, but let’s not forget the importance of teaching and learning”. When reading the article, I found myself agreeing with a lot of the arguments made by Wright, and I think others would agree strongly with what she has to say.
ReplyDeleteHere is a link to the article: https://www.theguardian.com/teacher-network/teacher-blog/2013/jun/20/technology-not-replace-teaching-learning
Wright, P. (2013). Why new technologies could never replace great teaching. Available: https://www.theguardian.com/teacher-network/teacher-blog/2013/jun/20/technology-not-replace-teaching-learning. Last accessed 14th November 2016.
I strongly agree with the article you have found Jenna. During my research, I came across a web page that includes similar ideas that children will achieve more in the future, the more effective the school teacher. Kobb, W (2013) suggests that ‘we can't outsource the human connections at the heart of the learning experience... the learning of our children will take more than machines. The role of a teacher is to empower student to help them reach their full potential. Aside from the children’s academic learning, teachers are a role model for their pupils. Teachers create trusting relationships with pupils and they are responsible to support and give advice to children, which may not even be related to school. Machine technology is not able to offer emotional support which is why I think it is unlikely teachers will not be replaced.
DeleteReference:
Kopp, W. (2013). Computers can't replace real teachers. Available at: http://edition.cnn.com/2013/04/08/opinion/kopp-kids-real-teachers/. Assessed: 16/11/2016