Tokyo University has used Saya the Robot as a receptionist for years and now some Tokyo primary schools are testing out robots for the classroom. It is hard to fathom that what is essentially a machine could replace a classroom teacher, especially when teaching, which is both an art and a science, involves higher order thinking. Perhaps the robot can have sad/happy/angry expressions, but can it recognize those expressions in the students in a classroom? Sure, it can take attendance by calling out names but can it understand the people behind those names?
As a technology-savvy human being, I'm intrigued by the possibilities this robot-teacher could bring to the world. However as an educator for the past decade and a half, I'm not so convinced that education is the place where a robot should be utilized. True learning can't take place just because students are told which assignments are due, and are kept quiet when the noise level gets high. Learning is partially taking in information, but it is also processing and getting feedback. This feedback comes sometimes from the teacher, sometimes from other classmates, and most importantly it comes regularly. Just by creating the physical presence of a teacher, doesn't mean that you've created a replacement. The mind is making decisions all of the time, based on the available information. The teacher's mind is probably making even more as he/she takes into account the individuality of each student along with the overall goals of the class.
I am amazed that it was not a surgeon, a pilot, or an architect that was replaced by a robot... but then, that would probably scare people more than say, playing with the minds of children.
- mm
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I dunno, playing with the minds of small children could be scary too. Imagine Saya making an army of brainwashed children for the robot revolution!
ReplyDeleteThough in all seriousness, I like the content of the post.
*insert thumbs up here*
I agree. I would be terrified to have a robot as a teacher. Although robots do not have the same angry facial expressions that teachers can acquire, robots just have a negative connotation to them. When i think of a robot, for some unknown reason, i automatically think of an evil metal box taking over the world. I would not like to be taught by an evil metal box trying to take over the world. Also, i believe that students, if having had a robot for a teacher for a period of time, would be able to figure out the tricks of the robot and how to get around it. As in, the students would learn that (hypothetically) they could be behind the robot without the "teacher" noticing, or they could pass notes without the robot noticing, etc.....
ReplyDeleteIn all, its creepy.
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ReplyDeleteOkay so i think the idea that we are building on our technology and making robots is cool, but i feel that robots interacting with humans and working in jobs that involve humans are not the right kind of jobs for robots. The fact they are using a robot as a teacher could really change teaching forever as well as change the learning that can take place. I feel very strongly about this because i would like to be a teacher and i don't think that a robot can have the connection with a student that a human could have. I feel that students can not be inspired by a robot. Personally the reason i want to be a teacher is because of the great teachers that i have had in my life have made me want to have that connection with children. I agree with the idea that a robot is not going to understand what a child goes through and how different children learn in different ways. how is a robot going to help children who are more visual learners if it is programed to teach in a more lecture based way? Also, you talk about the different expressions the robot can make but these are very basic. There are so many other emotions humans needs to have. How is a robot going to really show how proud they are of a child when they make that brake through and finally understand something that was so difficult for that it. Seeing the light in a child's face is one of the greatest thing about being a teacher. I don't think that this is a good idea and that we could find other ways to use the robot and i agree she is creepy looking!!
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