Why Robots Can’t Replace Teachers
Article by Mushkie Lipsker: In 1994, to inspire kids about science and address a teacher shortage, Japan began developing a teaching robot. Fifteen years later, they tested a prototype in a middle school classroom.
by COLlive Editor · COLliveby Mushkie Lipsker
@evergrowingeducator
In 1994, to inspire kids about science and address a teacher shortage, Japan began developing a teaching robot. Fifteen years later, in 2009, they tested a prototype named Saya in a middle school classroom. Equipped with 27 artificial muscles, Saya could show six basic emotions – happiness, surprise, fear, disgust, sadness, and anger. It sat behind a desk, connected to various wires, and could take attendance and give commands like “Be quiet.” While the kids enjoyed poking its skin and had a few laughs, Saya was far from a real teacher.
Because education isn’t just about sharing information.
Education is about teaching values, building a connection between teachers and students, and making students feel part of a community. It’s about sparking curiosity and helping each student reach their potential.
As the Rebbe wrote to Shalom Levine, an Israeli educator, “Education has two basic purposes: a) to impart a quantity of knowledge to the student; b) to educate the student toward proper conduct in his future life.”
Saya might be an impressive piece of technology (and Japan is still working to improve it), but it can’t replace the empathy, creativity, and personal connection that human teachers bring to the classroom. Robots can assist, but the heart of education lies in human interaction. There are some “AI schools” now where students use personalized AI-powered iPads and only spend half a day in class, but that covers just one part of education.
Only teachers, real people who can be a dugma chaya (living example), can fully meet the second purpose of education—to guide students towards proper conduct in life. While personalized learning technology is useful, you can’t program qualities like empathy, care, Chassidishkeit, and Yiras Shamayim.
Saya can’t teach that. But teachers can.
L’chaim to the teachers who give their all for our children’s Chinuch!
For more educational tidbits and resources, visit evergrowingeducator.com
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