What aspects of teaching should remain human?

Even techno optimists hesitate to say teaching is best left to the bots, but there’s a debate about where to draw the line

by CHRIS BERDIK

Hechinger Report

July 10, 2024

In "What Aspects of Teaching Should Remain Human?" by Chris Berdik, the article explores the growing integration of AI in education and examines the critical question of which teaching elements should remain human-centric. The article primarily focuses on the experiences and insights of educators and experts in AI and education, highlighting both the potential and limitations of AI tools in the classroom.

AI in the Classroom: A Case Study

The narrative begins with Daniel Thompson, a science teacher at Ron Clark Academy, who uses a voice-activated AI assistant from Merlyn Mind to enhance his teaching. This AI helps Thompson display educational materials and answer students’ questions in real time, allowing him to move around the classroom and engage more dynamically with students. Despite the benefits, the AI’s creator, Satya Nitta, acknowledges that AI still lacks the capability to teach students directly, as demonstrated by the failure of IBM Watson in educational applications.

The Rise of AI Tutors

Since the launch of OpenAI’s ChatGPT in November 2022, various AI tutors have emerged, capable of generating quizzes, summarizing content, and providing step-by-step instructions for complex problems. Tools like Socratic, Khanmigo, and Photomath illustrate the diverse applications of AI in education. Despite their growing presence, the debate continues about the appropriate roles for AI and the aspects of teaching that should remain human.

Challenges and Skepticism

Critics highlight AI's propensity to hallucinate or provide incorrect information and the risk of students using AI to bypass learning. More profound concerns focus on AI's inability to engage and motivate students effectively. Nitta and other experts argue that human teachers excel at recognizing and addressing students' emotional and motivational needs, something AI cannot replicate.

Human and AI Synergy

Experts envision a future where AI augments rather than replaces human teachers. For instance, Merlyn Mind’s assistant aims to free teachers from administrative tasks, allowing more direct student interaction. Additionally, AI can support human tutors by providing feedback and handling repetitive tasks, as seen in Saga Education’s use of AI to enhance tutor effectiveness.

The Importance of Human Connection

The article emphasizes that while AI can offer substantial support in education, it cannot replace the human connection essential for effective teaching and learning. Students engage more deeply and persistently when they feel a personal connection with their teachers. This connection fosters motivation, a crucial element often missing in AI interactions.

Future Directions and Considerations

Khan Academy's Khanmigo exemplifies attempts to blend AI with human-like interactions, encouraging students to explore and learn actively. However, even advanced AI struggles to build genuine relationships with students. Studies suggest that students are less likely to invest effort if they perceive the AI as an indifferent audience.

Conclusion

AI's role in education will undoubtedly expand, but its optimal use lies in supporting and enhancing human teachers rather than replacing them. The human aspects of teaching—empathy, engagement, and motivation—remain irreplaceable. The article concludes that while AI can significantly aid educational processes, the intrinsic value of human relationships in learning should not be overlooked.

For more details, refer to the original article: What Aspects of Teaching Should Remain Human? .

Original Article

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Prepared with the assistance of AI software

OpenAI. (2024). ChatGPT (4) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com