Dr. Djuwari
Last year, I gave training to elementary school teachers in a small and remote village near my hometown, Lamongan, East Java, Indonesia. The training was about creating a blog and writing scientific articles for them to publish by themselves on their blogs. One of them is the teacher of Bahasa Indonesia (Indonesian Language).
During the practice of poem writing, I showed her how to create a prompt in Artificial Intelligence (AI) for creating some poems. She was shocked when she saw the results. In practice, some poems could be created in a few minutes only. Other teachers of other subjects such as Mathematics, Social sciences, and Biology were also shocked to see it. Then, one of them asked me “If that is the case, what is the function of the teachers next time Sir”?
The anecdote above is not unique and it may reflect the role and responsibilities of teachers globally. With technology advancing rapidly, there’s much discourse on AI’s transformative impact across sectors, including education. As AI becomes prevalent in classrooms worldwide, it begs the question: Does AI’s presence lessen the significance of human teachers in schools?
At first glance, it may seem plausible to assume that AI could replace traditional teaching roles. After all, AI systems boast impressive capabilities, from delivering personalized learning experiences to automating administrative tasks. This was also proved by the researchers in their study done by Shama et al. (2021), AI and its implications. Another study was also done by Pedro et al. (2019) concerning AI and its consequences in education. It is stated that it is not only helping the students but even more than the teachers’ help.
However, a deeper examination reveals that the existence of teachers in schools remains not only relevant but indispensable. One of the primary strengths of human teachers lies in their ability to foster holistic development in students. Beyond imparting knowledge, teachers serve as mentors, guides, and role models. They provide emotional support, encouragement, and personalized attention, nurturing not just academic growth but also social and emotional intelligence. All these cannot be done by AI.
Teachers possess empathy and intuition, crucial for understanding and meeting the diverse needs of students, a capability AI lacks. Additionally, teachers foster critical thinking and creativity, qualities not within AI’s domain. While AI excels in data processing and providing solutions based on algorithms, it lacks genuine creativity and lateral thinking. Teachers go beyond rote memorization, encouraging students to question, analyze, and explore, igniting curiosity and passion for learning.
Furthermore, the irreplaceable human connection between teachers and students is evident. According to a recent study by Zhou et al. (2023), positive teacher-student relationships consistently impact academic achievement and overall well-being. Teachers act as mentors, not only imparting knowledge but also building confidence, resilience, and a sense of belonging. This relational aspect of teaching is pivotal in shaping students’ identities and fostering community within schools.
Critics argue that AI could offer more efficient and standardized learning experiences. However, AI’s biases, stemming from the data it’s trained on, raise concerns about algorithmic bias and perpetuating educational inequalities. Conversely, human teachers possess the discretion and moral judgment needed to navigate ethical dilemmas and ensure fairness for all students.
In an increasingly digitalized world, the significance of face-to-face engagement cannot be underestimated. Teachers create dynamic learning environments: collaboration, communication, and interpersonal skills. All these cannot be replaced by AI. They remain indispensable, even in the age of artificial intelligence.
Dr. Djuwari is an Associate Professor at Universitas Nahdlatul Ulama Surabaya (UNUSA) Indonesia. Surabaya, the editor of some research journals in the Philippines and Indonesia. He is also a journalist in some newspapers in Indonesia; the President of International Association of Scholarly Publishers, Editors, and Reviewers (IASPER), a small business owner of Djuw Café.
