Think for Me

"How do you calculate the circumference of a circle? Submit your answer when ready."

[Pause]

"Excellent! Every student was able to call up the answer electronically very quickly. If I, as a robot had feelings, I would express pride. You may break for lunch. Return to this cyber room in 45 minutes."

While this was a demonstration, it seems like this world is leaning more on technology and less on personal connection in education.

More classes are available online. Some are helpful. Some are not. Whether we like it or not, educational tech is here to stay. Students are learning computer skills earlier and writing skills are going by the wayside. Ask a middle school student to write or read a note in cursive and see what you get, if anything.

Students need to think for themselves. If all they do is look up answers, they won't develop new synapses in their brains. These synapses are essential for learning, memory, thought, and development. From the example above, do the students learn about calculating the circumference of a circle just by finding out how the internet says it should be done? Where is the application? How do students really show that they can calculate it themselves?

Perhaps there are ways, but I'm not convinced that they're better than a teacher explaining and guiding practice.

Perhaps just as importantly, students need social skills. If we let robots take over teaching remotely, how will students learn to interact? We all need human contact. There have been studies on that.

Most of the great experiences I remember from my own schooling involved interacting with classmates. If I had only taken online courses (which weren't available at the time anyway!) I firmly believe that I would not have developed in the great ways that make me, me.

I'm not saying that ALL tech is bad or inadvisable. I have to admit that as an educator, I have become more reliant on technology. I teach music. There is so much more available online than I could ever personally produce or purchase. I can play a fair number of instruments, but certainly not all of them. I don't claim to be proficient in every genre of music ever produced throughout the world. Yet, I can have students listen to so much variety with a quick search.

That, in itself, is a danger. Over the years, fewer students are willing to put time and effort into producing music. My school band program has dwindled. Students figure, "Why should I put up my time and effort when I can just call up whatever music I want? I can be home playing a game."

Much of the online resources I've found are excellent, but one must be wary. Some websites, apps, and videos have substandard material. Some have errors. Some cause more harm than good.

Artificial Intelligence is another technology that is developing at an alarming rate. While some AI is useful, I worry how it will affect not just learning, but society in general. Will AI replace people in some sectors? Unfortunately, that seems possible if not probable.

How many authors use ChatGPT for coming up with images? I have. If the trend continues, how will photographers survive? The cost of hiring one for a wedding or other event will sky-rocket just so that they can earn a living.

People produce content matter (poems, stories, videos) with the use of AI. This fact especially frightens me. How are we to know when something was made with technology if a dishonest person claims ownership?

What's next? Robot doctors? Robot athletes?

I'm not likely to be around if or when technology completely takes over the world as we know it. I'm glad of that. I don't think I'd like to see that happen. If it does, I really do think "the system" will be broken.