Discussion Board: Computer vs. Teacher

Will there be a time where instruction can be given by a computer? Will the traditional teacher be phased out? Will the quality of education change? With technology continuing to improve and break new barriers in our society, software and hardware are working together in harmony to eliminate more and more positions.

Technology has been able to provide information in a format, which allows individuals to learn without the presence of an instructor onsite. Remote areas such as towns in Alaska, Russia, China, Africa, Venezuela, Brazil, Australia, Canada etc have been able to use technology to reach and take advantage of “extended learning.” Video conferencing and Internet videos have allowed students to feel comfortable to learn at their own pace. This was the early 90s.

In the 21st century, we now have interactive web applications such as NovaNET Courseware that not only educates but also evaluates an individual’s ability. “NovaNET Courseware is the most complete, research-based, flexible, and engaging online courseware for high school and adult learners. With individualized instruction, a web-based platform and curricula that meets state and national standards, NovaNET Courseware can be utilized in any number of education applications including credit accrual, dropout prevention, summer school, credit recovery, virtual schools, and more. The rigorous courses and interactive framework promotes objective-based mastery helping learners reach academic success at their own pace (Pearson 2010). ”

NovaNET is one of the many software applications used around the country by school districts. High School Seniors who are in jeopardy of not graduating or needed additional instruction are being placed in classrooms where NovaNET is making a major impact in producing successful graduates. For a teacher to be affective, the seating in the classroom is averaged at 30 students. With NovaNET, a classroom of 60 or more is not uncommon. As remedial classes grow, the more use of this application is being introduced and used while educators are being used in rooms that require hands-on interaction.

Teachers will not be replaced, but there will not be a need for 50 teachers in a High School to teach English. This number will eventually drop down to 40 or less. The need for one on one instruction is gone. The need for instruction to be provided at an efficient price is now. “There are still lots of farmers around today. It’s just that we don’t need 50,000 teachers teaching English at the same time in the same way to little groups of kids. Technology can make things much more efficient in some areas of education. In a regular business, this would have happened already, but of course public education is not a business. There are a lot of other factors involved that like having an army of teachers around (crudbasher, 2010).”


Pearson (2010), “NovaNET Courseware” retrieved August 19, 2010 from http://www.novanet.com/learn_overview.html

Crudbasher (2010), “Will teachers be replaced by computers?” retrieved August 19, 2010 from http://educationstormfront.wordpress.com/2010/07/16/will-teachers-be-replaced-by-computers/