Robotic technology has become an integral component of our society, and is used in all aspects of our daily lives. Robots can be found in six major industries around the globe. These industries include agriculture, healthcare, food preparation manufacturing, military and lastly the education sector.
Each of the industries mentioned above has benefited in one way or another from the use of robotic automation. The benefits include improved efficiency, higher productivity, reduced costs of production, as well as the safety of employees. In this article, we dive into the world of education and the impact that the robot has had on the field.
Robots in the classroom can be described as an innovative idea, but it hasn’t completely been applied to the educational sector but is currently in testing stages in the majority of regions across the world. The kind of robots that are commonly employed in classrooms to serve as educators is the humanoid robot. Humanoid robots resemble human beings and are constructed in a manner that their physical appearance resembles human characteristics.
Humanoid educators are programmed and designed to assist in classrooms, or completely substitutes for teachers. However, the application in the use of robots in the classroom is not yet widely used in the world. To understand the concept better we should look into the benefits and drawbacks of using robots as teachers.
The advantages of robots Teachers
1. Wide Knowledge
Robots have a vast knowledge base when compared to human teachers. Because robots are designed to be able to perform their teaching functions and the knowledge you would like to impart to students in the class is able to be inputted into the robot in any way. This leads to a broad knowledge base, which robots can transfer v to students through the teaching.
The large knowledge base is essential because it allows robots to find solutions to the students’ issues and help them further their education career.
2. Conversations that aren’t relevant
Robots can be used as teachers in classrooms resulting in the elimination of many irrelevant discussions that take place in the classroom. The amount of unimportant discussions that are held with human instructors is shocking. The time that could have been used to improve learning and teaching gets wasted in useless discussions.
The robot is not able to be distracted, caught off guard, or diverted from the current lesson. Therefore, the time spent in class are utilized to the fullest extent and students stand the most benefit.
- Patience
The robots will not be irritable during their classroom time. They don’t have emotions and thus cannot experience like human teachers do. Therefore, they are not able to be irritable or tolerant of students.
They maintain their kindness and patience. They are open to all questions, regardless of what is going on inside the classrooms.
- Cost-Effective
The robots are not in need of any payment. If they were purchased and then paid for at the source they are not eligible for any additional payment in the form of wages or salaries. They simply instruct according to the method they are programmed to use.
The disadvantages of Robot Teachers
1. Technical Disruptions
Anything mechanical is not assured of not breaking. This is why the robot built mechanically, could fail at any moment and cause major disruption in the process of learning. Only those with experience can fix a malfunctioning robot. This means it can take weeks or even days for a damaged robot to be fixed. In this way, a significant amount of time is spent waiting for the machine to get back in shape.
Additionally, in the event of a breakdown in the system within the robot, a great deal of data could be lost. This could require the reconfiguring of the robot in order in order to restore it to its normal functioning.
2. Disrespect for teachers is not well-known.
Students could be rude towards robots since they aren’t humans. The robots could have issues trying to control students. The students might view the entire robot’s teaching method as something that is a joke.
3. Excellent Infrastructure in the classrooms
The best quality systems are required for the robot’s operation effectively. It is essential to have internet and electricity to enable their operation.
Conclusion
Robots in schools are an excellent idea. With the advancements in technology that our world is experiencing it is essential that everyone embraces the use of robots in the classroom.