Hi everyone,
This blog post will discuss if
mobile technology will replace teachers in the near future.
I personally believe that it will,
there are more people keen on technology today. Hence why a lot of
universities courses are being opened online (LeClair, 2013). For instance,
'The Open University' which offers flexible part-time study for distance learners
worldwide offering both undergraduate and postgraduate courses available
for those who want to study (Weinbren, 2014). Also, there are many
websites being put online to teach students like 'Khan Academy' and
'MathsWatch' they are very useful websites that do tutorials on maths
sessions (Khan, 2012; K. Bailey, 2011). I strongly believe that students
will learn more by watching those clips as they can re-watch it multiple
times until they understand it. There won't be a point in having
teachers if resources are now available online.
K Bailey, H. (2011) A King Is Born: You are that
King. United States Of America: AuthorHouse.
Khan. S. (2012) One World Schoolhouse:
Education Reimagined. 1st edn. New York: Hodder & Stoughton.
Weinbren, D. (2014) The Open University: A History. Manchester: Manchester University Press.
Weinbren, D. (2014) The Open University: A History. Manchester: Manchester University Press.
LeClair, J. (ed.) (2013) Protecting
Our Future: Educating a Cybersecurity Workforce. Washington: Hudson
Whitman.
Mobile technology (no date) Available at: https://www.google.co.uk/search?biw=1438&bih=677&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=mobile+technology&oq=mobile+technology&gs_l=img.3...66214.72108.0.73091.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0..0.0....0...1c.1.64.img..0.0.0.GQ0UvVFCJR8 (Accessed: 20 January 2017).
Mobile technology (no date) Available at: https://www.google.co.uk/search?biw=1438&bih=677&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=mobile+technology&oq=mobile+technology&gs_l=img.3...66214.72108.0.73091.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0..0.0....0...1c.1.64.img..0.0.0.GQ0UvVFCJR8 (Accessed: 20 January 2017).

Hi everyone,
ReplyDeleteOnline education is the fastest rising area of education (Allen & Seamen,2011 cited in Zhao, Zhang and Lel, 2015). There are many online courses offered by various universities. This has enabled great access to education. There has been a huge progression in technology in the field of education. Today, many students rely on technology for research. Many students prefer to access education through online schools e.g. khan academy (Sauton, 2014). Students have access to all the resources at home, this raised the question whether the presence of a teacher is needed?
Sauton, K. (2014) Achieve Ielts writing band 8+ task 2: Academic and general. Available at: https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=1KRUCAAAQBAJ&pg=PT73&dq=immense+advances+in+technology+in++people%E2%80%99s+lives&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiayefLpazRAhUFDcAKHbL2D4IQ6AEIITAB#v=onepage&q=immense%20advances%20in%20technology%20in%20%20people%E2%80%99s%20lives&f=false (Accessed: 7 October 2016).
Zhao, Y., Zhang, G. and Lei, J. (2015) Never send a human to do a machine’s job: Correcting the top 5 EdTech mistakes. Thousand Oaks, CA, United States: SAGE Publications.
Khan Academy through mobile technology allows pupils to watch educational videos letting them press pause and repeat and work in their own time and pace. However, there is still a need for teachers. Teachers watch what the students are doing online to evaluate what the students are doing well and not so well on. Schools investing in mobile technology without the investment in teacher training in technology will not go very well. Just because you are using a mobile device does not automatically enhance the learning. 'Technology can amplify great teaching but great technology cannot replace poor teaching' (OECD, 2015). To say that technology will replace teachers is not very realistic because children still need adult supervision regardless. A machine can’t replace a teacher’s role because a teacher guides and develops the students whereas a computer can restrictively deliver information. There are many negative factors that relate to technology teaching. Computers are unreliable, the internet can do down and you can easily lose information. Technology doesn’t teach social skills or understand emotions while on the other hand teachers do. Education is more than learning and teaching numbers and words. To teach you need to hold the ability to think creatively, to understand and inspire. Technology can never replace teachers because it is just mechanical. I think the best way of learning is when students are around people that can talk, cope and can relate to them.
DeleteBeauchamp, G. (2016) Computing and ICT in the primary school. From Pedagogy to Practice. London: Routledge.
Hi Jarna,
DeleteI completely understand your point. However, I do not agree with teachers being the guide to student learning. Technology will always be needed. Also, the usage of technology has increased in classrooms therefore teachers are incomplete without technology and need it for themselves to prepare for their own lessons. Technology has a different role to a teacher. Technology has many capabilities such as the information it provides us with not even a teacher can hack as much information as technology (Sorensen, 2006). Personally I believe that technology enhances learning for everyone and makes life much simpler without technology were incomplete and teachers can't compete with that.
Sorensen, E.K. (ed.) (2006) Enhancing Learning Through Technology. Denmark: Idea Group Inc
To add to Jarna’s point. Matthew Jenkin states modern schooling today is restricting the use of technology within schools. The OCED, have made great investments in technology within education but have reported that they have yet to seem noticeable results in pupils reading, maths, reading and science in the International Student Assessment (Pisa) tests. Reports shows that countries where technology is used moderately within education out performs countries such as the UK and America. Modern schools are aiming for more student teacher interaction within the classrooms, with moderate use of technology. For example, Waldorf School of the Peninsula has designed classrooms with the purpose of encouraging stronger student and teacher engagement removing the distraction of technology and electronic media within the classroom. On the other hand, schools such as London Acorn School have removed the use of technology all together. Sarah Thorne, the head of the school has stated that although this method may seem extreme but helps students in the long run; it helps them develop life skills such as creativity, executive decision making and strong levels of concertation, (Jenkin, 2015).
DeleteJenkin, M. (2015) Tablets out, imagination in: The schools that shun technology. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/teacher-network/2015/dec/02/schools-that-ban-tablets-traditional-education-silicon-valley-london (Accessed: 13 January 2017).
Hi everyone,
ReplyDeleteI think using mobile technology to teach and learn has both advantages and disadvantages. The great thing about it, is that mobile technology does not restrict learning to a classroom. It allows for different learning environments and students are allowed to be more self-directed in their own learning. Some of the characteristics of mobile technology consist of accessibility, immediacy, interactivity, context awareness – the environment can adapt to the learner’s situation to provide adequate information for the learners (Yahya et al,2010, p.12). However, 'Providing access to technology to schools is not the same as making sure every learner has access. Access might require adaptations to accommodate different learners (Florian, L. and Hegarty, J. 2004). For example, when teaching pupils with Special educational needs technology can then be used to better the effects of learning and participation and overcome any barriers, however access may involve the need to make adaptations that accommodate different learners.
Florian, L. and Hegarty, J. (2004) Ict And Special Educational Needs: A tool for inclusion. Maidenhead: Open University Press.
Hi Jarna,
DeleteTechnology has only impacted us positively with new learning strategies and methods such as audio-visual recordings (Leask and Pachler, 2014). Green screen is an app that helps children enjoy learning in the early years especially for those that are shy which is an absolute great way to get them involved (Beauchamp, 2017). I honestly believe that technology just makes teaching a lot more fun.
Beauchamp, G. (2017) Computing and ICT in the primary school: From Pedagogy to practice. Devon, United Kingdom: Routledge.
Leask, M. and Pachler, N. (eds.) (2014) Learning to teach using ICT in the secondary school: A companion to school experience. 3rd edn. New York: Routledge
Hi all,
ReplyDeleteSome people question if the role of the teacher is needed because of technology that helps the student to improve their studies faster in contrast to studies in a classroom. An advantage to this is that student can improve their knowledge in their own pace by using technology, a computer is endlessly patient (Sauton;2014, Heathcote;2003). Though, the presence of a teacher is needed for human interactions. A teacher would be able to identify mistakes and extend a child’s knowledge in the best possible method for the students (Sauton, 2014). A study by professor Angrist carried out an experiment with schools in Israel to compare classes taught with technology and classes taught by teachers. Best results were shown with students who were taught by teachers (Heathcote, 2003).
Sauton, K. (2014) Achieve Ielts writing band 8+ task 2: Academic and general. Available at: https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=1KRUCAAAQBAJ&pg=PT73&dq=immense+advances+in+technology+in++people%E2%80%99s+lives&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiayefLpazRAhUFDcAKHbL2D4IQ6AEIITAB#v=onepage&q=immense%20advances%20in%20technology%20in%20%20people%E2%80%99s%20lives&f=false (Accessed: 7 October 2016).
Heathcote, P.M. (2003) AS level ICT (A level ICT). 3rd edn. Ipswich: Payne-Gallway Publishers.
Hi all.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading over both sides of this discussion, I believe that technology is supporting students in education. But it does not have the power to replace teachers because human interaction is crucial. Technology does not have the ability to teach human skills. Though, it is important that teachers become mindful of technology that can be used to improve the learning environment.
Hi Aseelah,
DeleteReplacing traditional teaching with technology will increase in the future. Computer technology now gives resources such as books, calculator, dictionaries and even type-writers available to use (Linn, 2001). Technology can accomplish effective and powerful teaching so what’s the point with continuing the traditional teaching styles?
Linn, M., C (2001) Computers, Teachers, Peers: Science Learning Partners. Edited by Sherry Hsi. London: Routledge.
Hello Radiya,
Deletethe restriction of technology within the classrooms in challenging within the 21st century, this is only possible with the creativity of teachers. Teachers relying on technology does not do any favours for the learning of young people; it results to the hindering of imaginative thinking, drive, human interaction and attention spans. Children should be encouraged to learn through play and artistic activities, (Jenkin, 2015)
Jenkin, M. (2015) Tablets out, imagination in: The schools that shun technology. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/teacher-network/2015/dec/02/schools-that-ban-tablets-traditional-education-silicon-valley-london (Accessed: 13 January 2017).
Hi all,
ReplyDeleteThe 21st century marks a society in which digital economy is the reality of many young people of today. The impact of modern technology can be seen in many fields, organisations and disciplines however within the recent years teaching methods have been shown to employ technology as a popular tool in education. For example resource such as smart boards which replaced the traditional overhead projectors allow for the various forms of media such as graphs, maps, illustrations among many other interactive features (Kay, R.H 2006). Other technological developments have been brought forth; digital cameras, mind training software and PowerPoint presentations are examples of some of the technologies used throughout schools. It provides visual representations of the lesson content and makes for a fun and interactive learning for students. On the other hand, while technology is embedded in all spheres of discipline, I think society overestimates the need and impact of technology, particularly in education. I think it is important to understand that technological advancements and developments will keep changing and evolving however this does not necessarily mean the role of the teachers will be abolished in favour of technology (Ertmer, P.A., 2005). Technology is a tool used to aid education and provide an enriching learning experiences for students however a computer nor a smart board can never replace the bond and trust between a student and a teacher.
Kay, R.H., 2006. Evaluating strategies used to incorporate technology into preservice education: A review of the literature. Journal of research on technology in education, 38(4), pp.383-408.
Ertmer, P.A., 2005. Teacher pedagogical beliefs: The final frontier in our quest for technology integration?. Educational technology research and development, 53(4), pp.25-39.
Hi Falis,
DeleteI agree with the points you have made.
Over the past 20 years, the internet proved to be powerful in supporting the educational provision. Online schools are now established. Technology is being used to support and extend self-directed learning, unschooling, and homeschooling movements, where children are taught online by family members, E.g. free word U. Although technology has progressed, many students, teachers and parents argue that it feels right and natural to learn the academic way which involves a teacher. Volungeviciene and Leduc 2006 argue that education is fundamentally a ‘human process enhanced by human beings’ (Selwyn, 2011). This makes a teacher a key in this role. Lewis Mumford believes that technology lacks human personality. Many features of education are social and embodied in nature, these abilities are not simply facilitated through technology. Philosopher Herbert Dreyfus (2001) mentions that many forms of learning and skills are reliant on the physical presence of a more educated other. He argues that without a teacher's presence technology will only produce competence. Charles crook (2008) argues that unguided learning is far less effective in developing knowledge. He observes the increase in complexity and superiority of developing digital technologies, he believes that it causes distractions and obstructions that students must challenge. In this case, teachers play a crucial role in supporting and guiding students in the technology itself.
Selwyn, N. (2011) Education and technology: Key issues and debates. New York: Continuum International Pub. Group.