Article: http://qz.com/825803/computers-are-replacing-foreign-language-teachers-in-us-high-schools/
Friday, November 4, 2016
Week 5 - Replacing Teachers with Computers?
As teachers, one of our worst nightmares is for our jobs to be replaced by computers. In this day and age, where all the information in the world is literally at our fingertips and in our pockets, the idea of being replaced by technology is not as improbable as it once seemed, but it still feels like that time is still far away. However, in Maine and several other areas across the country, that concept has become reality. In an article that I read this week, Rosetta Stone is currently taking over language classrooms, in place of human teachers. The article cites a severe teacher shortage and lack of interest in language education programs in college, which is an entirely different issue in the education world. This seems hard to believe, since Pennsylvania has such a teacher surplus, but it is scary to think that schools in other states may start doing the same as Maine. Although Rosetta Stone claims to be intended only as a supplement to language instruction, I can see schools implementing the computer program and hiring technology aides to cut down on the cost of paying highly qualified teachers. I already know of one school in Pennsylvania where my friend, a certified Spanish teacher, was working as a long-term substitute, where she supervised a Rosetta Stone lab instead of actually being able to teach. Language learning technology is a wonderful thing, but we need to be careful that we do not let it take over and replace the human interaction between a teacher and students. In addition, we as teachers need to adapt our work to ensure that we bring more to the classroom than a computer program alone. How do you think we can embrace technology without becoming obsolete ourselves?
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That is a scary thought that computers take over all our jobs. My son actually used Rosetta stone for one year to learn Spanish. As of this point, he is not speaking fluent Spanish. Without the interaction of a teacher, he lost interest and decided he did not want to learn Spanish. We need human interaction with the use of technology to encourage active participation. So often, we see technology introduced to our students and they are required to learn it themselves and they lose interest very quickly.
ReplyDeleteThat just seems lazy to me. Don't get me wrong, I love Rosetta Stone, but it cannot take the place of a live teacher interacting with you. Some of the newer version do allow communication with fluent speakers, but it seems like it would be much easier for a teacher to interact then someone online. One positive I see, however, is the ability to learn other languages. My school only offered Spanish and German. I really wanted to learn Japanese, but I didn't have that option. Maybe offering both would be the way to go?
ReplyDeleteFingers crossed that this never becomes a reality...otherwise our students are doomed (and we're all out of a job! lol). Real live human interaction is so important, and our students truly need it. They need the motivation and positive reinforcement, the love and support, the lame jokes and attempts at "being cool" to get their attention, and most importantly the structure and consistency that they need so badly! I understand the struggle to find teachers, but there needs to be a better solution than a Rosetta Stone lab.
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