As computers are being used more and more in education, there will be soon no role for teachers in the classroom.
Computers have revolutionised every aspect of human’s life from the way we interact with other individuals to how we learn. Currently, the learning process is assisted by computers from the kindergarten to the university level. Some researchers predict that computers will replace teachers in the classroom in the future. However, this is not a consensus and there are other studies that contradict this prediction and highlight the importance of teachers in the education process.
Firstly, teachers are not just a simple source of information. While it is true that students have access to a massive amount of information from the internet nowadays, acquiring information is only a part of the learning process. Critical thinking is a crucial part of the learning process and teachers are essential in this regard. Teachers do not only delivery the information but also stimulate the students to criticise and evaluate the information provided. This is a very important skill to learn since today we are exposed to a lot of fake news.
Secondly, when learning a new skill, practice followed by a feedback from an experienced person is essential for further development. In many cases, computers are not able to provide this feedback.
In conclusion, although computers are becoming essential for assisting teachers in the classrooms, they will not replace teachers. Teachers have a crucial role in the educational system since they are essential for developing critical thinking and providing insightful feedback to students.