Monkey scribbles …

Lees (2008) writes that “Technology is forging new ways of teaching and learning“.  She identifies that “Technology is changing the way we learn. That is a given as school students — the ubiquitous digital natives — come to class equipped with skills and expectations unparalleled in schools in 20 years”. As a consequence, maybe, or rather as a matter of course, technology is also changing the way in which teachers teach. Lees (2008), in reference to the changes occurring to how teachers teach, states that “from how they engage their students and manage their classrooms, to how they shape their working day, manage their professional lives — and indeed how they think about a career in education”. 

Teacher, Wendy Pettit, refers to the impact that technology has had on her Year 5 class and feels that the adoption and change “has been gradual and led by the students”. Dale Spender, an educationalist, sees the shift with technology to be fundamental and states, “There has been a switch from passive to active learners, and active learners need a different range of support staff”. Spender continues by speculating that “skills and new areas of expertise will grow”. Matthew Kearney, a senior lecturer at UTS, “… makes the point that technology will have an impact on how educators manage their career profiles, build their credentials and gain professional recognition …”. He continues by stating that technology will offer teachers “… a flexible and convenient way to develop professionally, providing an opportunity to exchange resources and share success stories”. 

Reflection

1.  In what ways do you think technology is changing the way that we learn?

2.  How will technology assist you as an educator with your class(es)?

Reference

Lees, Kirsten. (April 05, 2008). Teachers on learning curve. The Australian.

Japanese robot teacher no substitute for human educators

A primary-school class in Japan is being taught by a robot that can express six emotions, take class rolls, assign basic tasks and speak several languages. The robot is controlled by a human and is not expected to replace human teachers.  MSNBC/The Associated Press (11 Mar.), Gizmodo (10 Mar.)

An interesting development that raises questions about the role of human instruction within classrooms today! The developer acknowledges that “The robot has no intelligence. It has no ability to learn. It has no identity,” … “It is just a tool”. Primarily used to call the class roll, the Japanese robot teacher, Saya, “… smiles and scolds, drawing laughter from students with her eerily lifelike face.”

Reflection

What role, if any, do you think a robot teacher could have in a classroom?

How do you think students would react to such a teacher?

If you have ever been challenged or had difficulties with long division or multiplication sums then this is an interesting clip to check out. Some good problem solving and logic is evident but still leaves us with the dilemna of getting the correct answer.  How many students today would have similar thinking when solving this particular problem or ones that are similar?

Ma and Pa Kettle Math Lesson