Will the Next Generation of Teachers Be Machines?

future-of-education-header
Technology advancements are already leading to several industries being taken over by robots and machines. Research and time spent teaching neural networks are making AI smarter and more sophisticated. Monotonous jobs like manufacturing and food service are likely to be among the first jobs to go. However, as AI becomes more intelligent, other positions could be at risk.

One of these includes positions in education. Machines are already teaching children in small ways; put all those ways together and it could add up to a lot of tasks in no time. Are teachers at risk of losing their jobs to machines? To answer that question, let’s look at how technology and AI is currently being used, and where it's headed next.

How Machines Are Already Teaching Children

Technology is already being used in schools nationwide. The amount of resources that can help elevate their learning and knowledge.

Calculators are standard-place, and things that students once needed to memorize can now be Googled. That means the education industry needs to change what they are teaching students if they have any chance of surviving in a workplace filled with technology.

One example of machines teaching children is a . They implemented an AI tutor called Education Dominance. This digital tutor monitored progress and created tests and assessments that were personalized to what each student was learning. Those who worked with Education Dominance tested better than those who learned in a more traditional manner.

Standardized Testing

Standardized tests are already being tracked through . Using barcodes makes it easy to see what any particular student has achieved in a school year and prevents test proctors from losing any tests.

is a good way to make sure teachers have the data they need to create their lesson plans. Automated tracking software is a great way to help educators reduce the amount of time spent on administrative tasks and instead prepare for teaching each day.

Education Software

There are dozens of software programs created to enhance education. From online classroom platforms like Canvas to gamifying learning languages through Duolingo, technology is making education more accessible for learners of all types. Increasing available learning models help reach those who would otherwise be left behind by more traditional learning models.

Language arts programs help students better understand what makes good writing and how to comprehend what they’re reading. Massive Open Online Courses like Coursera also provide access to months of content provided by some of the world’s best teachers.

The Future of Education

Despite the current technology saturation in the classrooms today, many are still unsure what the future of education will look like. Most agree that traditional methods need to be replaced with a more specific curriculum that’s geared toward helping students prepare for the current job market.

as wages remain stagnant and tuition continues to grow to unaffordable levels. However, the Internet is providing access to alternative methods of communication that provide the training people need to enter the workforce.

Remote Schooling

There are countless online universities and open classrooms available through the internet. This means education is now available to children in rural areas who either must travel for a long time to reach the nearest school or don’t have a way to get there.

Remote education still has a long way to go. It isn’t commonplace in most primary schools and implementing it could be incredibly difficult. However, as technology continues to advance more, this is likely to become more feasible nationwide.

Individualized Education Plans

One exciting advancement in education technology is the ability to personalize student learning to how each student learns best. No two students learn in the same way. However, the way the current education system is set up, there isn’t a lot of room to make changes for those who don’t do well with the standard curriculum.

There is already at least one technology that is being used in this way. is a math education software that adapts to student skill levels and helps them learn at their own pace. Hopefully, future education technology like this can be implemented in all subjects. Having tailor-made lesson plans would make it possible for all children to become more educated and prepared for the world after they finish schooling.

Will Robots Replace Teachers?

It’s highly unlikely that students will be taught by a robot teacher anytime soon. In fact, teachers are still one of the most important parts of the school. Human interaction is still a major component in education, and robots are a long way off at being able to interact in the same ways that people do.

However, technology will continue to play a larger role in student learning. Instead of replacing teachers, it will help them do their job better. Data insights on student performance can help educators tailor their approach to what works best for the kids in the classroom. Hopefully, this approach will replace the mindset that all students should learn in the same way.
By:

Bree Brouwer

Bree has held plenty of media- and marketing-related jobs over the years now, like working as a PR and marketing assistant to a Hollywood screenwriting coach, and writing content for three different digital marketing agencies.

Learn more from an Asset Panda expert

Get a FREE consultation with an asset tracking expert to find out how you can transform your asset tracking

Get a Demo