It’s a bright Monday morning and you’re taking your kid to the community school to register them to start schooling. You get to the school and you’re greeted by a robot, introducing itself as Madam Rose. Wait! Hold up! Are we living in 2050 or I’m just dreaming? Nah, I’ve had enough of this, time to wake up from this dream.
Technology in todays era is fast growing than we ever imagined. We have all lived through the era of phones with nothing but key pads up until today where we have iPads and smart phones. Life is getting better with everything being automated now. Hell, we even have cars that drive themselves now. All you need to do is set your destination and you’re good to go. We are really living in the future if you ask me.
But, if the future includes my two years old kid being taught by a robot then I’d rather sit home with them and teach them in this beautiful future. I’ve grown to learn that as humans, we need one another. As they say, kids learn first hand from their parents even before stepping into the outside world.
As a kid, I went to school at a very tender age and all I did was go to school, cry, eat , sleep, watch cartoons, sing and dance and then we all close and go to our various homes. Even though we didn’t really do anything tangible in crèche, our parents still sent us, why? Because they needed us to start interacting with people early.
You wouldn’t want your kid to grow up with no idea of how the outside world works. At that tender age, we were taught basic habits like how to talk nicely to others , write, and do basic things on our own. Our teachers inculcated good values such as respect, the act of sharing and even kindness in us. Now, imagine sending off a robot to a school to teach kids in crèche.
Obviously, this robot is going to function based on how you programmed it. You know how it’s difficult to deal with kids. Every child comes with his own problems. Now, imagine having a robot teacher who isn’t programmed to attend to kids who like crying or when a kid develops a fever. You might as well end up with a dead kid on your hands.
When it comes to education, I believe the farthest technology can go is to provide us with tools to enhance our studies. But for AI or technology to take over the role of teachers in the class room, it’s a big no for me. Even if it’s possible , it’s going to be less effective. It takes a lot of energy and time to teach kids and even adults if you ask me. You need to understand them, know what’s going on in their minds and if possible how they think. We understand ourselves as humans and we need that connectivity in learning.
There are a million and one things that are automated in today’s world and I’m really glad that technology has made life easier for us all. But one thing I know for certain is that inculcating AI/ technology specifically robotics in education is going to be a huge disaster.
all images belong to me unless stated otherwise.
